Autocascade refrigeration system: Experimental results in achieving ultra low temperature

In this paper the experimental results of an autocascade refrigeration system for achieving ultra low temperature are presented. The plant is used to preserve tissue and cells. When the air temperature is equal to -150 degrees C in 0.25 m(3) space, the required refrigeration power is about 250 W. The influence of the most meaningful variables is discussed with regard to the design of the plant. The experimental results show an acceptable time to reach the steady state in dependence of the finality of the plant. The working substance is a non-azeotropic mixture consisting of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in addition to argon and methane. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.