Study the effect of Isenthalpic Joule-Thomson valve and Isentropic wet expander on Refrigeration Capacity of Helium Plant

Refrigeration capacity of large scale helium liquefaction plant depends on inlet process parameters, efficiencies and arrangement of cold components within the cold box. Refrigeration capacity of helium liquefaction plant is estimated by placing Joule Thomson valve in final stages of cycle and then replacing it with wet expander engine. Refrigeration capacity has been estimated for different efficiencies of wet expander as a function of inlet pressures and inlet temperatures of wet expander and JT valve. It is observed that refrigeration capacity of JT valve is higher when it is operated below ˜5 bar and ˜6 K whereas refrigeration capacity of wet expander engine is higher when it is operated at higher inlet pressures range of 5 to 18 bar. When the inlet temperature in both, is below ˜6 K, then maximum refrigeration capacity can be achieved. Reduction in refrigeration capacity is observed for both, for inlet temperature of >6 K.