Dynamics of a Liquid Helium I Cryostat at The Canadian Light Source

C. Regier

Canadian Light Source Inc.
Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X4, Canada.

Abstract - The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is a third-generation synchrotron located in Saskatoon, Canada.  A superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavity contained in a 4.43 K liquid helium I cryostat is used at the CLS to replenish energy loss in the electron beam.  A dynamic simulation of this cryostat has been generated to examine pressure and level fluctuations due to variations in heat loading or other system parameters.  This simulator has led to some interesting observations in system behavior, which have been shown to occur in the actual system as well.  For example, mass rates of vaporization appear to drop as heat loading increases under certain conditions.  Also, the relationship between pressure and SRF tuning characteristics is examined, and the abilities and limitations of the simulator are presented.

Keywords:  Cryostat, Helium I, Process Control

Submitted to ESNF July 27, 2011; accepted October 11, 2011. Reference No. 272, Category 11
Published in AIP Conference Proceedings 1434, 1115-1122;  (2011)