In the world of cryogenic applications, where extremely low temperatures are required, helium plays a central role as a coolant. With a boiling point at normal pressure close to absolute zero, at -269 °C to be precise, helium is predestined for applications that require the highest cooling capacities. Despite its abundance in the universe - helium is the second most common element after hydrogen - the extraction and liquefaction of helium is extremely energy-intensive. This makes it all the more important that all components used in helium liquefaction are highly efficient.

Efficiency in this context means that as little heat as possible is introduced into the cryogenic fluid. This places special demands on the design and quality of the components used. WEKA cryogenic valves are specially designed to meet these requirements. Even in the standard version, they guarantee minimal heat transfer, which makes them an excellent choice for applications with liquid helium.

But WEKA offers more: the cryogenic valves can be additionally optimized with various optional features to further increase energy efficiency. This can be achieved, for example, through special materials or design techniques that enable even lower heat conduction.

Reducing the heat load

An important aspect of energy efficiency is reducing the heat load. The operating costs must be carefully weighed up against the investment costs. An additional heat load of just 1 W at process level can lead to an increase in the required compressor power of up to 2 kW in the case of superfluid He II cooling. The heat load can be reduced by several measures, including

• Optimized cryogenic length of the valve: adjusting the length can help minimize heat transfer.
• Use of an adapted insert in composite construction: Combinations of fiberglass composite and stainless steel can significantly reduce heat conduction.
• Adding thermal contacts: Adding one or more thermal contacts to the valve body helps to improve heat dissipation.
• Reducing the design pressure (PN) for larger valves: This can lead to a reduction in the basic heat load.

For technical purchasers and engineers, this means that choosing the right components not only improves the performance and reliability of their systems, but also has a direct impact on operating costs and environmental performance. Highly efficient cryogenic valves from WEKA help to reduce energy consumption and maximize the efficiency of the entire cryogenic system.

Rely on WEKA's proven quality and innovation to make your cryogenic applications even more efficient and sustainable. Contact us to find out more about our products and the possible optimizations.

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