Method and apparatus for cooling high temperature superconductors with neon-nitrogen mixtures

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous stream of a neon-nitrogen mixture having at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the gaseous neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich stream;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of an eighth conduit (130);
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the eighth conduit (130) and delivering it to an expander (134) by means of a ninth conduit (132);
• withdrawing a further-cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the expander (134) and delivering it to the second conduit (70) by means of a tenth conduit (136) so that the further cooled neon-rich gas stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream to a lower pressure to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• and
• delivering the said partially liquefied neon-rich stream into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the gaseous neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95%neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of an eighth conduit (130);
• withdrawing a neon-rich gaseous stream from the eighth conduit (130) and delivering it to an expander (134) by means of a ninth conduit (132);
• withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the expander (134) and delivering it to the second conduit (70) by means of a tenth conduit (136) so that the further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of an eleventh conduit (34) an expanding the stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of a twelfth conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream of cryogenic liquid (22) from the enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• and
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream mixture which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed & gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing the said cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84) located in a pool of liquefied nitrogen (92) in a tank (90);
• withdrawing the further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the cooling coil means (84) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of a ninth conduit (99);
• and
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101), expanding the cold neon-rich stream to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream to the enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing the said cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84) surrounded by liquefied nitrogen (92) in a tank (90) by means of an eighth conduit (82);
• withdrawing the further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the cooling coil means (84) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of a ninth conduit (99);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of a tenth conduit (34) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of an eleventh conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream of cryogenic liquid (22) from the enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• and
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material which has a superconducting capacity when at a temperature in the range of about 27.degree. K. to 77.degree. K. comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen, with the mixture containing up to about 10 mole percent of neon;
• removing a gaseous stream of a neon-nitrogen mixture having at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of an eighth conduit (130);
• withdrawing a neon-rich gaseous stream from the eighth conduit (130) and delivering it to an expander (134) by means of a ninth conduit (132);
• withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the expander (134) and delivering it to the second conduit (70) by means of a tenth conduit (136) so that the further cooled neon-rich gas stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of an eleventh conduit (34) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of a twelfth conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream of cryogenic liquid (22) from the enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20);
• withdrawing a neon-rich gas stream from the separator vessel (40) by a conduit (42) and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• withdrawing a neon-rich gas stream from the first heat exchanger (101) by a conduit (112) and feeding it to the second heat exchanger (102);
• withdrawing a neon-rich gas stream from the second heat exchanger (102) by a conduit (114) and feeding it to the fifth conduit (76);
• withdrawing part of the neon-rich gas stream by a conduit (116) communicating with the conduit (114) and feeding it to a first valve (118);
• withdrawing the neon rich gas stream from the first valve (118) by a conduit (120) and feeding it to a tank (122) for collecting neon-rich gas;
• withdrawing a neon-rich gas stream from the tank (122) by a conduit (124) and feeding it to a second valve (126);
• and
• feeding the neon-rich gas stream from valve (126) to a conduit (128) in communication with the third conduit (72) for adding neon-rich gas to the third conduit (72).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material which has a superconducting capacity when at a temperature in the range of about 27.degree. K. to 77.degree. K. comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen, with the mixture having up to about 10 mole percent of neon;
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing the said cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84) located in a pool of liquefied nitrogen (92) in a tank (90) by means of an eighth conduit (82);
• withdrawing the further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the cooling coil means (84) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of a ninth conduit (99);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of a tenth conduit (34) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of an eleventh conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream of cryogenic liquid (22) from the enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20);
• withdrawing neon-rich gas from the separator vessel (40) by a conduit (42) and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• withdrawing neon-rich gas from the first heat exchanger (101) by a conduit (112) and feeding it to the second heat exchanger (102);
• withdrawing neon-rich gas from the second heat exchanger (102) by a conduit (114) and feeding it to the fifth conduit (76);
• withdrawing part of the neon-rich gas stream by a conduit (116) communicating with the conduit (114) and feeding it to a first valve (118);
• withdrawing the neon-rich gas stream from the first valve (118) by a conduit (120) and feeding it to a tank (122) for collecting neon-rich gas;
• withdrawing a neon-rich gas stream from the tank (122) by a conduit (124) and feeding it to a second valve (126);
• and
• feeding the neon-rich gas stream from the second valve (126) to a conduit (128) in communication with the third conduit (72) for adding neon-rich gas to the third conduit (72).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material comprising:

• forming a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon in a first enclosed chamber (20);
• continuously feeding a stream of the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the first enclosed chamber (20) to a second enclosed chamber (203) containing a HTSC material (204) so that the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture surrounds the HTSC material (204) and flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• withdrawing the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the second enclosed chamber (203);
• removing a neon-rich gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the first enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the first enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of an eighth conduit (130);
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the eighth conduit (130) and delivering it to an expander (134) by means of a ninth conduit (132);
• withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the expander (134) and delivering it to the second conduit (70) by means of a tenth conduit (136) so that the further cooled neon-rich gas stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of an eleventh conduit (34) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of a twelfth conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• feeding the liquefied neon-nitrogen stream withdrawn from the second enclosed chamber (203) to the mixing container (64);
• and
• withdrawing a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied neon-nitrogen stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream, from the mixing container (64) and feeding it into the first enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material comprising:

• forming a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon in a first enclosed chamber (20);
• continuously feeding a stream of the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the first enclosed chamber (20) to a second enclosed chamber (203) containing a HTSC material (204) so that the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture surrounds the HTSC material (204) and flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• withdrawing the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the second enclosed chamber (203);
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the first enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit means communicating with the first enclosed chamber (20) and with heat exchanger means and with compressor means for removing a neon-rich gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the heat exchanger means and the compressor means to pressurize and cool the neon-rich gaseous stream to produce a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the first conduit means and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84), located in a tank (90) containing a pool of liquefied nitrogen (92), by means of a second conduit means communicating with the first conduit means downstream of the compressors and upstream of some of the heat exchanger means, and then feeding the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream, exiting the cooling coil means (84), to a third conduit means;
• feeding the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second conduit means to a third conduit means communicating with the second conduit means downstream of the cooling coil means (84), the third conduit means including expansion valve means (46), expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the expansion valve means to a lower pressure to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the expansion valve means (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing the liquefied neon-nitrogen stream from the second enclosed chamber (203) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied neon-nitrogen stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream, in the mixing container (64);
• and
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into the cryogenic liquid (22) in the first enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material comprising:

• forming a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon in a first enclosed chamber (20);
• continuously feeding a stream of the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the first enclosed chamber (20) to a second enclosed chamber (203) containing a HTSC material (204) so that the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture surrounds the HTSC material (204) and flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• withdrawing the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the second enclosed chamber (203);
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the first enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit (28) communicating with the first enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) and feeding it through the first heat exchanger (101) to warm it;
• feeding the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to a second heat exchanger (102) by means of a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102);
• delivering the warmed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second heat exchanger (102) to a first compressor (201) by means of a third conduit (72);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the first compressor (201) to a third heat exchanger (103) by means of a fourth conduit (74) to cool the gas;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the third heat exchanger (103) to a second compressor (202) by means of a fifth conduit (76);
• delivering the compressed neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the second compressor (202) to a fourth heat exchanger (104) by means of a sixth conduit (78) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• delivering the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon from the fourth heat exchanger (104) to the second heat exchanger (102) by means of a seventh conduit (80) to further cool the neon-rich gaseous stream;
• withdrawing the said cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84), located in a pool of liquefied nitrogen (92) in a tank (90), by means of an eighth conduit (82);
• withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the cooling coil means (84) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101) by means of a ninth conduit (99);
• withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) by means of a tenth conduit (34) and expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the first expansion valve (36) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to a separator vessel (40) by means of an eleventh conduit (38);
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40), feeding it to a second expansion valve (46) by a conduit means (44) and expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream through the second expansion valve (46) to a lower pressure to cool it to a lower temperature;
• feeding a cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) to a mixing container (64);
• withdrawing the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream from the second enclosed chamber (203) and feeding it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream, in the mixing container (64);
• and
• feeding the composite liquefied gas stream from the mixing container (64) into the cryogenic liquid (22) in the first enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous neon-nitrogen mixture stream having a composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20);
• partially reliquefying the gaseous stream removed from the enclosed changer (20) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon;
• feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon into a separator vessel (40) at a high pressure of at least 100 psia and a low temperature at least as low as 35.degree. K.;
• withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to and through an expansion valve (46);
• and
• receiving a cold lower pressure neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, expanded out of the expansion valve (46) and feeding it to the enclosed chamber (20) into contact with the cryogenic liquid (22) neon-nitrogen mixture therein.

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting material comprising:

• positioning a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) in an enclosed changer (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• surrounding the HTSC material (26) with a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied neon and liquefied nitrogen;
• removing a gaseous stream having a neon-nitrogen mixture composition which is at least 95% neon from the enclosed chamber (20) by means of a first conduit means communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and with heat exchanger means and with compressor means for removing a neon-rich gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the heat exchanger means and the compressor means to pressurize and cool the neon-rich gaseous stream to produce a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon;
• withdrawing a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the first conduit means and delivering it to a cooling coil means located in a tank (90) adapted to hold liquefied nitrogen (92) by means of a second conduit means communicating with the first conduit means downstream of the compressors and upstream of some of the heat exchanger means, and then feeding the further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream, exiting the cooling coil means, to a third conduit means;
• and
• feeding the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the second conduit means to a third conduit means communicating with the second conduit means downstream of the cooling coil means and communicating with the enclosed chamber (20), the third conduit means including expansion valve means, expanding the cold neon-rich stream through the expansion valve means to a lower pressure to produce a lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the expansion valve means to the enclosed chamber (20).

A method of lowering the temperature of a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material comprising:

• forming a pool of a cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon in a first enclosed chamber (20);
• continuously feeding a stream of the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the first enclosed chamber (20) to a second enclosed chamber (203) containing a HTSC material (204) so that the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture surrounds the HTSC material (204) and flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• withdrawing the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the second enclosed chamber (203);
• removing a neon-rich gaseous stream having a composition which is at least 95% neon from the first enclosed chamber (20), compressing and cooling the neon-rich gaseous stream to produce a cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon;
• feeding part of the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream which is at least 95% neon to an expander (134) and then withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich gaseous stream from the expander 9134) and returning it to the neon-rich gaseous stream withdrawn from the first enclosed chamber (20) before it is compressed;
• further cooing and expanding the other part of the cooled neon-rich gaseous stream through an expansion valve means (46) to produce a partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• feeding the said partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the expansion valve means (46) into a mixing container (64);
• feeding the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream withdrawn from the second enclosed chamber (203) to the mixing container (64);
• and
• withdrawing the composite liquefied gas stream, which is a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream, from the mixing container (64) and feeding it into the first enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid;
• a high temperature superconducting (HTSC) material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• the enclosed chamber (20) having an outlet (28) for removing a gaseous stream having a composition which is at least 95% neon;
• refrigeration means (30) for reliquefying the gaseous stream removed from the enclosed chamber (20) to produce a liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon;
• a separator vessel (40) capable of receiving a liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon at a high pressure of at least 100 psia and a low temperature at least as low as 35.degree. K.;
• means for delivering said liquefied neon-rich stream from the refrigeration means (30) to the separator vessel (40);
• means (44) communicating with the separator vessel (40) for withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to an expansion valve (46);
• and
• means (48) for receiving the cold lower pressure liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the expansion valve (46) and feeding it to the enclosed chamber (20) into contact with the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture (22) therein.

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• the enclosed chamber (20) having means (28) for removing a gaseous stream having a composition which is at least 95% neon;
• refrigeration means (30) for reliquefying the gaseous stream removed from the enclosed chamber (20) to produce a liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon;
• a separator vessel (40) capable of receiving a liquefied neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon at a high pressure of at least 100 psia and a low temperature at least as low as 35.degree. K.;
• means for delivering said liquefied neon-rich stream from the refrigeration means (30) to the separator vessel (40);
• means (44) communicating with the separator vessel (40) for withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to an expansion valve (46);
• means (48) for receiving the colder lower pressure liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the expansion valve (46) and feeding it to a mixing container (64);
• means to withdraw a liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture stream from the enclosed chamber (20) and feed it to the mixing container (64) in which the liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture stream and the liquefied neon-rich stream are mixed to form a composite liquefied gas;
• and
• means (66) for feeding the composite liquefied gas from the mixing container (64) to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the at least 95% neon warmed gaseous stream from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering warmed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich stream;
• an eighth conduit (130) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• a ninth conduit (132) communicating with the eighth conduit (130) for withdrawing a cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to an expander (134);
• a tenth conduit (136) communicating with the expander (134) outlet for withdrawing a further cooled gaseous neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the second conduit (70) so that the cold gaseous neon-rich stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• and
• means for withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101), expanding the liquefied neon-rich stream to a lower pressure to produce a colder liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said colder liquefied neon-rich stream to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the at least 95% neon warmed gaseous stream from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering warmed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich stream;
• an eighth conduit (130) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• a ninth conduit (132) communicating with the eighth conduit (130) for withdrawing a cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to an expander (134);
• a tenth conduit (136) communicating with the expander (134) outlet for withdrawing a further cooled gaseous neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the second conduit (70) so that the cold gaseous neon-rich stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• an eleventh conduit (34) for withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) through which the cold neon-rich stream can expand to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• a twelfth conduit (38) communicating with the first expansion valve (36) and a separator vessel (40) for feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to the separator vessel (40);
• a conduit means (44) communicating with the separator vessel (40) for withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to a second expansion valve (46);
• conduit means (48) for receiving the colder lower pressure neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) and feeding it to a mixing container (64);
• means (58,60,62) to withdraw a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream from the enclosed chamber (20) and feed it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas comprising a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the liquefied neon-rich stream in the mixing container (64);
• and
• conduit means (66) for feeding composite liquefied gas from the mixing container (64) to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a first conduit (28) means communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and with heat exchanger means and with compressor means for removing a gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the heat exchanger means and the compressor means to warm and pressurize the gaseous stream to produce a pressurized neon-rich stream which is at least 95% neon;
• a second conduit means, communicating with the first conduit means downstream of the compressor means and upstream of some of the heat exchanger means, for withdrawing a cooled pressurized neon-rich stream from the first conduit means and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84) located in a tank (90) adapted to hold liquefied nitrogen and then feeding the further cooled pressurized neon-rich stream, exiting the cooling coil means (84), to a third conduit means;
• and
• the third conduit means communicating with the second conduit means downstream of the compressor means and communicating with the enclosed chamber (20), the third conduit means including expansion valve means, for feeding a cold pressurized neon-rich stream received from the second conduit means, expanding the cold pressurized neon-rich stream through the expansion valve means to a lower pressure to produce a colder liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said colder liquefied neon-rich stream from the expansion valve means through the third conduit means to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• the enclosed chamber (20) being adapted to hold a pool of cryogenic liquid (22), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous neon-nitrogen mixture stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the at least 95% neon warmed gaseous stream from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering warmed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich stream;
• an eighth conduit (82) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it to a cooling coil means (84) in a tank (90) adapted to hold liquefied nitrogen (92);
• a ninth conduit (99) communicating with the cooling Coil means (84) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• and
• means for withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101), expanding the cold neon-rich stream to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a high temperature superconducting material (26) positioned within the enclosed chamber (20) so as to be at least substantially surrounded by a cryogenic liquid (22);
• the enclosed chamber (20) being adapted to hold a pool of cryogenic liquid (22), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous neon-nitrogen mixture stream therefrom having a
• composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the warmed gaseous neon-nitrogen mixture stream which is at least 95% neon from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering the warmed neon-nitrogen mixture gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering the said compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering the cooled neon-nitrogen mixture gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the said cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich stream;
• an eighth conduit (82) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) and delivering it therefrom to a cooling coil means (84) in a tank (90) adapted to hold liquefied nitrogen (92);
• a ninth conduit (99) communicating with the cooling coil means (84) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• a tenth conduit (34) for withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) through which the cold neon-rich stream can expand to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• an eleventh conduit (38) communicating with the first expansion valve (36) and a separator vessel (40) for feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to the separator vessel (40);
• a conduit means (44) communicating with the separator vessel (40) for withdrawing a liquefied neon-rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to a second expansion valve (46);
• conduit means (48) for receiving the cold lower pressure neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) and feeding it to a mixing container (64);
• means (58,60,62) to withdraw a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream from the enclosed chamber (20) and feed it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas comprising a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the liquefied neon-rich stream in the mixing container (64);
• and
• conduit means (66) for feeding the composite liquefied gas from the mixing container (64) to the enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• a first enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the first enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a second enclosed chamber (203) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid;
• a high temperature superconducting material (HTSC) (204) positioned within the second enclosed chamber (203);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid in the second enclosed chamber (203) having essentially the same composition as the cryogenic liquid (22) in the first enclosed chamber (203);
• a conduit means (58,60,62) for withdrawing cryogenic liquid (22) from the first enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it through the second enclosed chamber (203) with HTSC material (204) being in contact with and substantially surrounded by the cryogenic liquid as it flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material (204) by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• a mixing container (64);
• a conduit (63) for withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream from the second enclosed chamber (203) and feeding it to the mixing container (64);
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the first enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the at least 95% neon warmed gaseous stream from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering warmed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering compressed gas which is at
• least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich gas;
• an eighth conduit (130) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• a ninth conduit (132) communicating with the eighth conduit (130) for withdrawing a cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to an expander (134);
• a tenth conduit (136) communicating with the expander (134) for withdrawing a further cooled gaseous neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the second conduit (70) so that the cold gaseous neon-rich stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• means for withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at least 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101), expanding the cold neon-rich stream to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream and delivering the said colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream to the mixing container (64);
• and
• conduit (66) means for withdrawing the composite liquefied neon-nitrogen mixture from the mixing container (64) and feeding it to the first enclosed chamber (20).

Apparatus comprising:

• a first enclosed chamber (20) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid (22);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid (22) in the first enclosed chamber (20), said cryogenic liquid (22) comprising a mixture of liquefied nitrogen and a small amount of liquefied neon;
• a second enclosed chamber (203) capable of holding a cryogenic liquid;
• a high temperature superconducting material (HTSC) (204) positioned within the second enclosed chamber (203);
• a pool of cryogenic liquid in the second enclosed chamber (203) having essentially the same composition as the cryogenic liquid in the first enclosed chamber (20);
• a conduit means (58,60,62) for withdrawing cryogenic liquid from the first enclosed chamber (20) and feeding it through the second enclosed chamber (203) with HTSC material being in contact with and substantially surrounded by the cryogenic liquid as it flows through the second enclosed chamber (203) thereby cooling the HTSC material by forced flow convection heat transfer;
• a mixing container (64);
• a conduit (63) for withdrawing a liquefied nitrogen rich stream from the second enclosed chamber (203) and feeding it to the mixing container (64);
• a first conduit (28) communicating with the first enclosed chamber (20) and a first heat exchanger (101) for removing a gaseous stream therefrom having a composition which is at least 95% neon and feeding it to the first heat exchanger (101) to be warmed;
• a second conduit (70) communicating with the first heat exchanger (101) and a second heat exchanger (102) for feeding the at least 95% neon warmed gaseous stream from the first heat exchanger (101) to the second heat exchanger (102);
• a third conduit (72) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering warmed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a first compressor (201);
• a fourth conduit (74) communicating with the first compressor (201) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a third heat exchanger (103) to cool the gas;
• a fifth conduit (76) communicating with the third heat exchanger (103) for delivering cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a second compressor (202);
• a sixth conduit (78) communicating with the second compressor (202) for delivering compressed gas which is at least 95% neon therefrom to a fourth heat exchanger (104) to cool the gas;
• a seventh conduit (80) communicating with the fourth heat exchanger (104) for delivering the cooled compressed gas which is at least 95% neon to the second heat exchanger (102) to further cool the neon-rich gas;
• an eighth conduit (130) communicating with the second heat exchanger (102) for withdrawing a further cooled neon-rich stream from the second heat exchanger (102) for delivering it to the first heat exchanger (101);
• a ninth conduit (132) communicating with the eighth conduit (130) for withdrawing a cooled neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to an expander (134);
• a tenth conduit (136) communicating with the expander (134) outlet for withdrawing a further cooled gaseous neon-rich stream therefrom and delivering it to the second conduit (70) so that the cold gaseous neon-rich stream can mix with the gas stream which is at least 95% neon in the second conduit (70);
• an eleventh conduit (34) for withdrawing a cold neon-rich stream, which is at last 95% neon, from the first heat exchanger (101) and delivering it to a first expansion valve (36) through which the cold neon-rich stream can expand to a lower pressure to produce a colder partially liquefied neon-rich stream;
• a twelfth conduit (38) communicating with the first expansion valve (36) and a separator vessel (40) for feeding the partially liquefied neon-rich stream from the first expansion valve (36) to the separator vessel (40);
• a conduit means (44) communicating with the separator vessel (40) for withdrawing a liquefied neon rich stream from the separator vessel (40) and feeding it to a second expansion valve (46);
• conduit means (48) for receiving the cold lower pressure partially liquefied neon-rich stream expanded out of the second expansion valve (46) and feeding it to a mixing container (64);
• a conduit means (63) to withdraw a liquefied nitrogen-rich stream from the second enclosed chamber (203) and feed it to the mixing container (64) to form a composite liquefied gas comprising a mixture of the liquefied nitrogen-rich stream and the partially liquefied neon-rich stream in the mixing container (64);
• and
• conduit means (66) for feeding composite liquefied gas from the mixing container (64) to the first enclosed chamber (20).