Stirling Cryogenics

GIT orders StirLIN-8

Thruster

Stirling has obtained an order for a closed loop Nitrogen reliquefaction system from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

At GIT’s High Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory propulsion devices are developed and tested in space simulations chambers. These chambers are cooled with liquid nitrogen to approximately 80-100 Kelvin.

Picture: Georgia Tech T-40 Hall Effect Thruster

In order not to waste thousands of liters of liquid nitrogen each test, a closed loop system is developed which recovers the evaporated nitrogen gas and reliquefies it by means of 2 Stirling SPC-4 cryogenerators. This ensures a reliable supply of liquid nitrogen without waste and associated logistic problems thus reducing operating cost.

The supply consists of 2 SPC-4 cryogenerators, a storage vessel with liquid nitrogen pump and a fully automated control scheme. Delivery and commissioning are scheduled for Q3, 2010.

For more information about the Georgia Institute of Technology please refer to: http://soliton.ae.gatech.edu/people/mwalker/HPEPL.html