Insulation Characteristics of Cryogens for HTS Power Apparatus

Author

Choi, Jun H. ; Kim, W.J. ; Choi, Y.H. ; Lee, H.G. ; Kim, H.J. ; Kim, S.H.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Gyeongsang Nat. Univ., Jinju, South Korea

Volume

22

Issue

3

fYear

2012

fDate

6/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

7700904

Lastpage

7700904

Abstract

A cryogenic cooling system is essential for high temperature superconducting (HTS) apparatus because cryogenic temperature is generated by using a cryocooler or cryogen. The cryogen method is widely applied to various HTS apparatus because its thermal stability is higher than that of the cryocooler. Furthermore, the cryogen not only performs cooling but also insulates electrically. Thus, the insulation performance of an HTS apparatus relies heavily on the insulation characteristics of cryogen. This study examines the insulation characteristics of cryogens to be applied to HTS apparatus, using nitrogen and argon in liquid and solid state as cryogen. Their electrical characteristics such as the flashover discharge and breakdown are also investigated and compared. We also discuss whether nitrogen and argon in solid state are applicable to HTS apparatus as cryogens.

Keywords

argon; cryogenics; electric breakdown; flashover; high-temperature superconductors; nitrogen; power apparatus; thermal insulation; thermal stability; HTS power apparatus; argon; cryocooler; cryogenic cooling; cryogens system; flashover breakdown; flashover discharge; high temperature superconducting apparatus; insulation characteristics; nitrogen; thermal stability; Argon; Electric breakdown; Electrodes; High temperature superconductors; Insulation; Nitrogen; Solids; Argon; cryogen; electric breakdown; high temperature superconductor; insulation; nitrogen;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TASC.2012.2183570

Filename

6156748