Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ABSTRACT:
Based on the long-term experience WEKA has developed a compact valve with integrated pneumatic
actuator for extreme low temperature applications. Due to the compact design, these valves are preferred for
mobile use. The valves can handle a temperature gradient of over 250 degrees and guarantee a perfect
tightness over the whole temperature range. To prevent freezing at the warm end of the valve, WEKA
designed a compound spindle of extremely low heat load, made in composite material. For further
compactness a valve block design will be developed.
KEYWORDS : compact cryogenic valve, liquid hydrogen fuelled car, cryogenic automotive tank
1. Introduction
WEKA Cryogenic Components provide optimal solutions for handling of low-temperature liquefied gases
under extreme operating conditions. Cryogenic respectively cold comes from the Greek word ? ? ? ? ? .
Generally "cryogenic" refers to the temperature range below about 120K (-153 °C). WEKA Cryogenic
Components are generally used in applications involving liquid and gaseous media below 20K (-253 °C).
Cryogenic technology is used for cooling of superconducting solenoids and acceleration cavities in high
energy physics and in fusion research. Cryogenic pumps generate ultrahigh vacuums. Liquid hydrogen is
used as fuel for rockets and more and more as energy source. Cryogenic distillation processes are used for
the production and storage of Helium and Hydrogen as well as for Oxygen, Nitrogen and Argon. Due to its
physical properties Helium (He) in the gas, liquid or super fluid state is the most used cooling fluid with
WEKA Cryogenic Components. The normal boiling point of Helium is 4.2K. Liquid hydrogen (LH2, normal
boiling point at 20K) has been used as fuel in space vehicles, and is now drawing attention as an alternative
energy source as well as for fuelling automobiles. Until this moment WEKA has delivered more than 2’500
cryogenic valves (with pressures up to 600bar). About 500 valves are used in the liquid hydrogen supply
chain. Also used are WEKA Cryogenic Components with gases like Oxygen (O2, normal boiling point at
90K), Argon (Ar, normal boiling point at 87K), Air, Nitrogen (N2, normal boiling point at 77K) and Hydrogen
(H2,) as well as for rare gases like Xenon (Xe), Krypton (Kr) and Neon (Ne).
1/6
WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 – Lyon France
Frequently applied dimensions are from DN2 to DN200 where “DN” means diameter nominal and the
number indicates the diameter of the valve bore in "mm". Primarily the size of the valve bore and valve travel
determines the flow characteristic of the valve. A second important factor is the size and the design of the
volume after the valve bore (outlet side). Reducing the flow resistance in a valve means minimal pressure
drop. This can be achieved by a design with sufficient space after the bore for pressure increase. While
selecting or purchasing cryogenic valves same nominal diameters from different suppliers are compared.
The very central aspect is to compare the real valve bore and the associated Kv value (Cv = 1.16 * Kv). This
will give you the best idea of the efficiency of a valve. WEKA standard cryogenic valves have a leading
position in aspect of valve efficiency.
So far normal operating pressures for cryogenic valves are from vacuum up to 25bar or 40bar. Beside these
standard applications, WEKA has delivered also bellows sealed control valves for up to 630bar. In the future
higher pressure valves will draw more attention because they enable smaller and more efficient plants and
applications. Generally WEKA Cryogenic Valves are available as
a) Bellows sealed valves followed by a security back-up sealing and a plugged leak test port. This high
quality sealing system guarantees the highest tightness and safety under pressure and vacuum conditions.
Preferably it will be used for low density fluids like He or H2. For high purity gases it is also recommended to
use bellows sealed valves.
b) Packing sealed valves with an elastomeric quad-ring for applications which have reduced requirements
regarding tightness e.g. for fluids like Nitrogen (N2), Air, etc. However these valves could also be used for
low density gases. Static seal to outside between valve body and bonnet and inset respectively is made with
an elastomeric o-ring joint at the warm top end of the valve.
The valve body is completely welded and manufactured from stainless steel (tubes and forged bars).
Therefore the valves have a high operational reliability in continuous service and offer high protection against
losing the insulation vacuum. Different applications require different body patterns. Standard for cryogenic
cold boxes is the angle pattern (E-pattern). In transfer lines or pipes the globe or straight pattern is often
used (see D-pattern or Z-pattern). On special request the Y-pattern is also available.
2/6
WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 – Lyon France
100
90
80
relative valve flow coefficient kv (%)
linear
70 1:10 ideal
1:10 modified to zero
60
1:20 ideal
1:20 modified to zero
50
1:50 ideal
40 1:50 modified to zero
1:100 ideal
30 1:100 modified to zero
1:1000 ideal
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
3/6
WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 – Lyon France
Shield
Outer vessel
Liquid extraction
Electrical heater
Filling port Cooling water WEKA Valves
heat exchanger (Shut off valves)
4/6
WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 – Lyon France
Due to limited space the valves had to be very short. The actual valve design has an overall length of
300mm. Resulting fact is, that the valve has to handle a temperature gradient of over 200 degrees over a
cryogenic length of 130mm. To prevent freezing at the warm end of the valve, WEKA designed a compound
spindle of extremely low heat load, made in composite material.
Furthermore reducing the evaporation rate is a goal of all tank manufacturers. Therefore the valve has to
guarantee a perfect tightness over the whole temperature range. On one hand the valve is bellows sealed,
on the other hand the soft-sealing head has a parabolic geometry.
Minimized cryogenic
length h=130mm
5/6
WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 – Lyon France
4. Conclusion
Compact cryogenic valves have some similar aspects compared with standard cryogenic valves. Regarding
the minimized heat load highly relevant are the design and the manufacturing of the compound spindle.
Completely welded housings guarantee a long-term stability of the vacuum insulation. In the future producing
large series of valves may change the manufacturing method of the housings. Standards for cryogenic valve
tightness in automotive area are to define. WEKA’s values of seat tightness and the measuring method are
derived from the vacuum technology and satisfy our customers.
The design and the manufactured compact valves have been proven in everyday use. Several automobiles
are driving with this valves; one of them has already logged more than 60,000km on the road. Future
developments will continuously improve the actual design and show the suitability for mass production.
References:.
Frey, H., Haefer, R.A., Tieftemperaturtechnologie, Hrsg.: Eder, F.X., VDI Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf, 1981
Holdener, F., Ventile in der Kryotechnik in: DKV Tagungsbericht, 24. Jahrgang, Band 1, Deutscher Kälte-
und Klimatechnischer Verein e.V., Hamburg, 1997, pages 85 - 94
Holdener, F., Einsatz, Auslegung, Konstruktion und Fabrikation von Ventilen für die Kryotechnik, in: Dick, S.,
Kecke, H.J., (Hrsg.), Industriearmaturen 2000, Vulkan Verlag GmbH, Essen, 2000, pages 44 – 53
Wutz, M., Hermann, A., Walcher, W, Theorie und Praxis der Vakuumtechnik, 4. Auflage 1988, F. Vieweg &
Sohn Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Braunschweig, 1988
6/6