Method of producing supercold temperature in cryogenic systems

Abstract

A method of producing supercold temperature in cryogenic systems by compressing a gaseous fluid constituting an incoming stream followed by its stepwise cooling by a return stream of the fluid. The incoming stream is split into a main stream and a subsidiary stream which is used to compensate for the losses in the system on being expanded with the removal of energy. The main stream is expanded and liquefied in a liquefaction stage. At least a portion of the subsidiary stream, on being expanded with the removal of energy, is introduced into the liquefaction stage, liquefied therein and used to sustain a refrigerative load. After that, the liquid fluid formed is used to sustain the refrigerative load and is evaporated as a consequence. The vapor forms the return stream which is passed through the cooling stages and the liquefaction stage in the reverse direction. In realizing the method disclosed, the cooling of the incoming stream in the liquefaction stage is associated with energy losses which are by far smaller than ever before.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.