ME 566 Cryogenics

3 graduate credits

Instructor: John M. Pfotenhauer
Phone: 608/263-4082
E-mail: pfot@engr.wisc.edu

Course objective:
To understand the behavior of materials at low temperatures; to develop skills for designing cryogenic systems including refrigeration, storage & transfer of cryogens, and instrumentation.

Course description:
This course provides instruction in fundamental principles of cryogenics, developing these into tools that can be utilized in laboratory and industrial applications. The topics will include a brief history of cryogenics, material properties (solids, liquids, and gases) at low temperatures, large-scale and cryocooler systems for refrigeration and liquefaction, measurement techniques, and the safe storage and transfer of cryogenics.

Prerequisite:
Basic understanding of the following:

• Knowledge of 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics;
• elementary conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer;
• Ideal gas relations; thermal, electrical, and strength related material properties
• use of Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software;
• or consent of instructor.

Homework:
Approximately five homework sets assigned.

Exams:
Three exams

Computer software:
Engineering Equation Solver (EES)

Textbook:
Cryogenic Process Engineering, by Timmerhaus and Flynn, Plenum Press, ISBN 0-306-43283-8

Course notes:
None.