# US 2014/0150471 A1 · Method for cooling a plant for superconductive cables

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- Number: US 2014/0150471 A1
- Document ID: US20140150471A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/693,172
- Filed: 2012-12-04
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04
- Assignees: Nexans
- Inventors: KLAUS SCHIPPL; MARK STEMMLE; FRANK SCHMIDT
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150471A1

## CPC

- F25D 3/10: using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air {(for cooling semiconductor devices H10W40/305)}
- H01B 12/16: characterised by cooling
- Y02E 40/60: Superconducting electric elements or equipment; Power systems integrating superconducting elements or equipment
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A method for cooling a plant for superconductive cables is provided, where the plant includes two thermally insulated end closures (1, 2) and at least one thermally insulated, tubular cryostat (3) arranged between the end closures, in which at least one superconductive cable is arranged. Liquid nitrogen contained in a cooling agent supply is pumped by means of a pump (9) through a first end closure and the cryostat to a second end closure. At least one vacuum insulated tank (7) is used for the cooling agent supply, where the tank (7) contains nitrogen at operating temperature and out of which the nitrogen is pumped. For making available a quantity of liquid nitrogen necessary for operating the plant, the supply of liquid nitrogen contained in the tank (7) is supplemented during operation or is switched over to another tank (10) containing liquid nitrogen.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Method for cooling a plant for superconductive cables, which has two thermally insulated end closures and at least one thermally insulated, tubular cryostat arranged between the end closures, in which at least one superconductive cable is arranged in the cryostat, and in which liquid nitrogen present in a cooling agent supply is pumped by means of a pump through a first end closure and the cryostat to a second end closure, said method comprising the steps of:
Supplying a cooling agent from at least one vacuum insulated tank, wherein the nitrogen, which is at operating temperature, is contained in the tank and wherein nitrogen is pumped out of the tank; and,
Supplementing the supply of liquid nitrogen contained in the tank, or switching supply over to another tank containing liquid nitrogen, for making available a quantity of liquid nitrogen required for operating the plant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Method according to claim 1, wherein
the nitrogen is returned from the second end closure through a thermally insulated pipeline into the tank; and the cold gas produced by evaporation is used for additional cooling of the plant.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Method according to claim 2, wherein a pressure regulating valve is mounted in the pipeline.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Method according to claim 1, wherein
arranging two cryostats between the two end closures, each of which contains at least one superconductive cable,
connecting a vacuum insulated tank at each of the two end closures; and
pumping the liquid nitrogen from the one tank through one of the cryostats and from the other tank through the other cryostat.