RESEARCH ON THE APPLICATION OF BINARY GAS MIXTURES TO LOW TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEMS

Abstract : An investigation to determine the utility of several binary gas mixtures as cryogenic refrigerants is described. An experimental apparatus was designed and fabricated which permitted direct determinations of the phase boundaries of the selected cryogenic gas mixtures. Although no attempt was made in the experiments conducted under the study to obtain this type of data, this apparatus is also suitable for PVT data determinations. The apparatus is based on the dew point and bubble point method. The general principle of this method and the experimental apparatus and procedure for its operation are described in detail in this report. Experimental data were obtained for the binary systems of neon-argon and nitrogen-argon. These data consist of solid vapor, dew point, bubble point, and the three-phase boundaries at a fixed composition. Also, dew point curves were determined for three additional neon-argon mixtures. The possible application of the selected mixtures is discussed. In addition, the general problem areas and possible advantages of utilizing binary mixtures as cryogenic refrigerants are analyzed.