Superconducting Cable Cooling Layout for Long-Distance Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superconducting cable systems face challenges in maintaining consistent cryogenic fluid pressure and temperature along long circuits, leading to increased costs and limitations on circuit length due to the need for additional cooling systems and terminations.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting circuit design with cryostatic junction units and tap-off modules, incorporating stainless steel or glass-fibre reinforced plastic discs to manage cryogenic fluid flow, allowing independent cooling and pressure regulation for each circuit portion, connected in series with blocking devices to maintain fluid integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cross section for cryogenic fluid flow is increased along the entire cable length, then the pressure and temperature of the cryogenic fluid are maintained, but the costs and complexity of the cooling system increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple sections with individual cryogenic jackets, each capable of independent cryogenic fluid circulation. This segmentation allows each section to be cooled independently, eliminating the need for a single large-diameter cooling system and reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable temperature control throughout the cable length.
2Length of stationary object
If the circuit length is extended using a single cooling system, then the cryogenic fluid must travel longer distances, but the pressure drops and temperature rises above the critical temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The long cable circuit is divided into multiple sections, each with its own cryogenic jacket and fluid circulation capability. This allows the total circuit length to be extended while maintaining pressure and temperature stability in each individual section, as each section acts as an independent cooling zone.
3Reliability
If the circuit is split into several subcircuits with intermediate substations, then the cooling system can be optimized for each section, but the costs increase due to additional terminations and civil engineering works
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable sections are connected in series with their cryogenic jackets forming a continuous or interconnected cooling system. This merging approach allows optimized cooling performance for each section while avoiding the need for separate intermediate substations and terminations, as the cryogenic jackets themselves provide the cooling infrastructure.
4Length of stationary object
If the initial pressure and minimum temperature of the cryogenic fluid are increased, then the fluid can circulate longer distances, but the specifications and costs of the cooling system increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is segmented into multiple sections, each capable of independent cryogenic fluid circulation. This allows the use of moderate initial pressure and temperature specifications in each section, as the fluid only needs to travel shorter distances within each section, thereby reducing the overall cooling system specifications and costs while achieving long total circuit lengths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient management of cryogenic fluid pressure and temperature across long circuits, reducing costs and extending the maximum length of superconducting cable systems without the need for intermediate substations.
Implementation Method 1
A superconducting cable is able to transport high-intensity electrical current with a cable cross section that is far smaller than that of a conventional cable made up of a resistive electrical conductor, while at the same time limiting the electrical losses along the cable, notably the Joule heating effect losses because this phenomenon disappears in the superconducting state.
Implementation Method 2
A cryogenic fluid, such as helium or nitrogen, in liquid or gaseous form, contained inside the cryogenic jacket, cools the central superconducting wire down to a temperature below what is known as the critical temperature at which this wire enters a superconducting state.
Implementation Method 3
The cryogenic jacket comprises for example two concentric jackets thermally insulated from one another by a vacuum.
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting wired electrical circuit has two portions (1a, 1b) each having a superconducting cable core (2a, 2b), an electrical insulation layer (3a, 3b), a screen (4a, 4b) and a cryogenic jacket (5a, 5b) surrounding the screen (4a, 4b) to allow the circulation of a cryogenic fluid. At least a first arrangement (A) has a cryostatic junction unit (7) electrically connecting, in series, the two portions (1a, 1b), an inlet/outlet duct (14) for cryogenic fluid. A distinct tap-off module (12) has at least one inlet/outlet tapping (15) for the flow of a cryogenic fluid in the second portion (1b). A device (13) for blocking the passage of cryogenic fluid is interposed between the duct (14) and the tapping (15) and positioned around and in contact with the screen (4b) of the second portion (1b).