Experimental helium liquefier with a GM cryocooler.

A helium liquefier has been developed with a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler using the cold enthalpy available at the first stage, the inter-stage, and the second stage of the cryocooler. Most of the enthalpy of the helium gas at 300 K is absorbed in the first stage by a coaxial heat exchanger and inter-stage region of the cryocooler. Pre-cooled helium gas is liquefied at the second stage heat exchanger where the final cooldown and condensation happens. The measured production capacity of the liquefier is 17.4 l/day at atmospheric pressure. The whole setup has been designed to work in a coaxial configuration where the two heat exchangers, the cryostat, and the dewar are symmetrically placed around the central axis.