THERMAL SCIENCE

International Scientific Journal

Thermal Science - Online First

online first only

Constrained multi-objective optimization of helium liquefaction cycle

ABSTRACT
The helium cryo-plant is an indispensable subsystem for the application of low-temperature superconductors in large-scale scientific facilities. However, it is important to note that the cryo-plant requires stable operation and consumes a substantial amount of electrical power for its operation. Additionally, the construction of the cryo-plant incurs significant economic costs. To achieve the necessary cooling capacity while reducing power consumption and ensuring stability and economic feasibility, constrained multi-objective optimization is performed using the interior point method in this work. The Collins cycle, which uses liquid nitrogen precooling, is selected as the representative helium liquefaction cycle for optimization. The discharge pressure of the compressor, flow ratio of turbines, and effectiveness of heat exchangers are taken as decision parameters. Two objective parameters, cycle exergy efficiency (ηEx,cycle) and liquefaction rate (m˙L), are chosen, and the wheel tip speed of turbines and UA of heat exchangers are selected as stability and economic cost constraints, respectively. The technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is utilized to select the final optimal solution from the Pareto frontier of constrained multi-objective optimization. Compared to the constrained optimization of ηEx,cycle, the TOPSIS result increases the m˙L by 23.674%, but there is an 8.162% reduction in ηEx,cycle. Similarly, compared to the constrained optimization of m˙L, the TOPSIS result increases the ηEx,cycle by 57.333%, but a 10.821% reduction in m˙L is observed. This approach enables the design of helium cryo-plants with considerations for cooling capacity, exergy efficiency, economic cost, and stability. Furthermore, the wheel tip speed and UA of heat exchangers of the solutions in the Pareto frontier are also studied.
KEYWORDS
PAPER SUBMITTED: 2023-06-26
PAPER REVISED: 2023-09-30
PAPER ACCEPTED: 2023-10-24
PUBLISHED ONLINE: 2024-01-20
DOI REFERENCE: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI230626278S
REFERENCES
  1. Howell, M., et al., Cryogenic Control System Operational Experience At SNS, EPJ techniques and instrumentation, 8 (2021), 4
  2. Mastracci, B., et al., Commissioning of A Replacement Subatmospheric Cold Box for Jefferson Lab's Central Helium Liquefier, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1240 (2022), 012069
  3. Casagrande, F., et al., FRIB cryogenic system status, Proceedings, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, March 2020, Vol. 755, pp. 012089
  4. Bai, H., et al., Cryogenics In EAST, Fusion Engineering and Design, 81 (2006), 23, pp. 2597-2603
  5. Kalinin, V., et al., ITER Cryogenic System, Fusion Engineering and Design, 81 (2006), 23, pp. 2589-2595
  6. Ferlin, G., et al., 5-year operation experience with the 1.8 K refrigeration units of the LHC cryogenic system, Proceedings, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2015, Vol. 101, pp. 012141
  7. Thomas, R. J., et al., Role of Expanders in Helium Liquefaction Cycles: Parametric Studies Using Collins Cycle, Fusion Engineering and Design, 86 (2011), 4-5, pp. 318-324
  8. Thomas, R. J., et al., Role of Heat Exchangers in Helium Liquefaction Cycles: Simulation Studies Using Collins Cycle, Fusion Engineering and Design, 87 (2012), 1, pp. 39-46
  9. Thomas, R. J., et al., Exergy Based Analysis on Different Expander Arrangements in Helium Liquefiers, International Journal of Refrigeration, 35 (2012), 4, pp. 1188-1199
  10. Thomas, R. J., et al., Exergy Analysis of Helium Liquefaction Systems Based on Modified Claude Cycle with Two-Expanders, Cryogenics, 51 (2011), 6, pp. 287-294
  11. Thomas, R. J., et al., Application of Exergy Analysis in Designing Helium Liquefiers, Energy, 37 (2012), 1, pp. 207-219
  12. Thomas, R. J., et al., Optimum Number of Stages and Intermediate Pressure Level for Highest Exergy Efficiency in Large Helium Liquefiers, International Journal of Refrigeration, 36 (2013), 8, pp. 2438-2457
  13. Lei, G., et al., A Novel Intercooled Series Expansion Refrigeration/Liquefaction Cycle Using Pinch Technology, Applied Thermal Engineering, 163 (2019), pp. 114336
  14. Larijani, M., et al., Investigation of Effective Parameters on The Performance Of The Helium Liquefaction Cycle, IJHT, 37 (2019), 4, pp. 1009-1018
  15. Kundu, A., et al., Exergy Analysis to Determine Appropriate Design and Operating Parameters for Collins Refrigerator-Liquefier Under Mixed Mode Operation, Refrigeration Science and Technology, 2012 (2012), pp. 233-239
  16. Kundu, A., Chowdhury, K., Evaluating Performance of Mixed Mode Multistage Helium Plants For Design and Off-Design Conditions By Exergy Analysis, International Journal of Refrigeration, 38 (2014), pp. 46-57
  17. Maiti, T. K., et al., Evaluation of An Existing Helium Liquefier in Refrigerator and Mixed-Mode Operation Through Exergy Analysis, Cryogenics, 103 (2019), pp. 102977
  18. Cammarata, G., et al., Optimization of a Liquefaction Plant Using Genetic Algorithms, Applied Energy, 68 (2001), 1, pp. 19-29
  19. Wang, H. R., et al., The Optimization on Flow Scheme of Helium Liquefier with Genetic Algorithm, Cryogenics, 81 (2017), pp. 93-99
  20. Mahmoudabadbozchelou, M., et al., An Economic Approach to Study and Optimize Helium Liquefier, Cryogenics, 110 (2020), pp. 103147
  21. Xue, R., et al., Influence of Key Parameters on The Performance of a Helium Cryogenic System in Refrigeration and Liquefaction Modes, Cryogenics, 121 (2022), pp. 103386
  22. Ganni, V., et al., Screw Compressor Characteristics for Helium Refrigeration Systems, Proceedings, AIP Conference Proceedings, Chattanooga (Tennessee), 2008, Vol. 985, pp. 309-315
  23. Jiang, M., Pan, Z., Optimization of Open Micro-Channel Heat Sink with Pin Fins by Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm, Therm. Sci., 26 (2022), 4B, pp. 3653-3665
  24. Abdi, H., et al., Multi-Objective Optimization of Operating Parameters of a Pemfc Under Flooding Conditions Using the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm, Therm. Sci., 23 (2019), 6, pp. 3525-3537
  25. Chen, S., et al., Multi-Objective Thermo-Economic Optimization of Collins Cycle, Energy, 239 (2022), pp. 122269
  26. Kusiak, A., et al., Minimization of Energy Consumption in HVAC Systems with Data-Driven Models and An Interior-Point Method, Energy Conv. Manag., 85 (2014), pp. 146-153
  27. Watson, H. A. J., et al., Optimization of Single Mixed-Refrigerant Natural Gas Liquefaction Processes Described by Nondifferentiable Models, Energy, 150 (2018), pp. 860-876
  28. Jacobsen, M.G., Skogestad, S., Active Constraint Regions for A Natural Gas Liquefaction Process, Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 10 (2013), pp. 8-13
  29. Zhu, Y., et al., Optimal Design of Cryogenic Air Separation Columns Under Uncertainty, Comput. Chem. Eng., 34 (2010), 9, pp. 1377-1384
  30. Sanford, K., Gregory, N., Thermodynamics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2011
  31. Baguer, G. G., The Compression Machines, in: Cryogenic Helium Refrigeration for Middle and Large Powers, Springer Nature, 2020, pp. 197
  32. Nellis, G., Klein, S. A., Heat Transfer, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008
  33. Bischof, C. H., et al., Combining source transformation and operator overloading techniques to compute derivatives for MATLAB programs, Proceedings, Second IEEE International Workshop on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation Proceedings, October 2002, pp. 65-72