Papers: Cryogenics

YearTitleAuthorsSummary
2024
 Dynamic systems modeling of the spallation neutron source
cryogenic moderator system to optimize transient control and
prepare for power upgrades
N Goth (1), F Liu (2), B Maldonado (3), P Ramuhalli (1), M Howell (4), R Maekawa (4) and S
Cousineau (4)
(1) Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN, USA
(2) Computer Science and Math Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN, USA
(3) Buildings and Transportation Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN, USA
(4) Research Accelerator Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN, USA		Builds a full EcosimPro/CRYOLIB model of the SNS helium/hydrogen CMS to match steady/transient data and optimize PID based responses to beam trips; supports control tuning for power uprate from 1.4 to 2.0 MW.
2024Thermohydraulic simulation of quenches and quench recovery for the HL-LHC IT String test bench at CERN
G Rolando, A Wanninger and A Perin
CERN, Technology Department, Cryogenics Group, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland		This paper studies how superconducting magnet quenches and subsequent recovery can be simulated for the HL-LHC Inner Triplet (IT) string test bench. A detailed thermohydraulic model of the cryogenic circuits is built using EcosimPro-based tools, representing helium flow, phase change, heat transfer and protection devices. By running realistic quench scenarios in this virtual environment, engineers can evaluate valve logic, pressure peaks and cooldown strategies well before testing, reducing risk to expensive hardware and shortening commissioning of the actual cryogenic installation.
2023
 Comparative Thermodynamic Analysis of CSNSII SRF System Cooling Scheme based on neural network optimized by SSA-GA
Li Mei (1,2,3*), Ge Rui (1,2, 3*), Xu Miaofu (1,2,3), Chang Zhengze (1,2,3), Sang Minjing (1,2,3), Ye Rui (1,2,3), Sun Liangrui (1,2,3), Ma Changcheng (1,2,3), Li Penghui (1,2,3), Li Shaopeng (1,2,3), He Feisi (1,2,3)
(1) Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
(2) Key Laboratory of Particle Acceleration Physics & Technology, CAS, Beijing 100049, China
(3) Center for Superconducting RF and Cryogenics, Institution of High Energy Physics, Beijing, China
* Co-corresponding authors at: Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China		Compares SRF cooling schemes and unsteady cooldown using a pipeline model; surveys process simulation tools and highlights EcosimPro/CRYOLIB adoption at major labs as a validated platform for cryogenic system modeling.
2023Energy consumption optimisation using advanced control algorithms
F. Ghawash, B. Schofield, E. Blanco, CERN, Geneva, Switzerland also at Department of Engineering Cybernetics,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway		This work focuses on reducing the electrical energy consumption of large cryogenic plants by means of advanced control algorithms. Dynamic models of compressors, turbines, cold boxes and distribution networks are developed in an EcosimPro-based cryogenic library and then coupled with optimisation and model-predictive control schemes. Using EcosimPro as the core simulation engine allows rapid prototyping and tuning of controllers on a faithful digital twin of the plant, so control strategies can be validated off-line and later transferred to the real system with lower commissioning time and improved operating efficiency.
2022
 Liquid helium level regulation improvement in the LHC
electrical distribution feedboxes
B Bradu, H Coppier, J Gery, M Pezzetti and A Tovar
European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
1, Esplanade des particules, CH1211 Meyrin, Switzerland. 		Develops an EcosimPro model of DFBs to reproduce level oscillations and test a new control principle that commands liquid mass flow via flash compensated valve logic; simulations guided a scheme later validated on machine in 2021.
2021Modelling and Simulations of a Flash Tank Vapour Injection Heat Pump in Several Platforms
Paolo PETAGNA, Andrea CIONCOLINI, Jiazhen LING, Vikrant AUTE
European Organization for Nuclear Research, EP-DT-FS, Meyrin, Switzerland
University of Manchester, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering Department, Manchester, United Kingdom
University of Maryland, College Park, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, College Park, Maryland		The paper analyses a flash-tank vapour-injection heat pump configuration, comparing its performance and dynamic response using several simulation platforms, including EcosimPro. In the EcosimPro implementation, detailed component models for compressor, heat exchangers, flash tank and injection line are assembled to capture transient behaviour and control interactions. EcosimPro’s equation-based approach and robust solvers make it straightforward to explore operating conditions, switching strategies and control options, demonstrating its suitability for advanced heat-pump development alongside other tools.
2020Dynamic simulations and transient management of the HL-LHC cryogenic system during beam operation
B. Bradu
CERN, Geneva, Switzerland		This work investigates the dynamic behaviour of the High-Luminosity LHC cryogenic system during realistic beam operation, including fast energy dumps and orbit changes. A system-level model of the helium refrigerators, distribution lines and magnet loads is created in EcosimPro-based cryogenic libraries, allowing the team to simulate complex transients and evaluate control strategies. EcosimPro provides the necessary robustness and modularity to handle the large-scale model, helping engineers define transient-management procedures that keep temperatures and pressures within safe limits while maximising accelerator availability.
2020Development and validation of a simulation tool for next generation detector cooling systems
Viren Bhanot, Paolo Petagna, Andrea Cioncolini, Hector Iacovides
European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, United Kingdom		The paper presents a simulation tool for future high-performance detector cooling systems based on two-phase CO₂ and other refrigerants. Built on top of EcosimPro, the tool includes reusable components for pumps, evaporators, condensers and manifolds and is validated against dedicated experimental data. By using EcosimPro as the underlying platform, the authors obtain a flexible environment where layouts can be reconfigured quickly and operating conditions swept widely, supporting design, optimisation and safe operation of compact, energy-efficient cooling loops for particle-physics detectors.
2019
 Implementation of preventive diagnostics
measures for the CERN cryogenic system
R Cirillo, Ph Gayet*, B Bradu
CERN, CH-1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland		Creates EcosimPro/CRYOLIB component models to compute ‘residues’ against plant data and detect faults (e.g., turbine filter clogging, wheel erosion) early; supports online/offline condition based maintenance across LHC cryogenics.
2017
Simulation of Cryogenic Process and Control of EAST based on EPICS
L. Hu, Q. Yu, M. Zhuang, Z. Zhou (1), M. Clausen (2)
(1) ASIPP, Hefei, China
(2) DESY, Hamburg, Germany		Builds EAST’s cryoplant models in EcosimPro/CRYOLIB and exposes them as an OPC server, integrating with an EPICS soft IOC for virtual commissioning, controller tuning, and operator training with realistic I/O records.
2017
 Comparison of different cryogenic control
strategies via simulation applied to a
superconducting magnet test bench at CERN
P Arpaia (1,2), H Coppier (3), D De Paola (1), M di Bernardo (2,4), A Guarino (2), B Luz
Pedemonte (3), M Pezzetti (1)
(1) CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.
(2) Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of
Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
(3) ESIEE, Amiens, France.
(4) Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Uses EcosimPro models to benchmark classical PID and cascade schemes during precooling, then proposes a MIMO model based controller that better respects ΔT/flow/pressure constraints on the SM18 HFM test bench.
2015Dynamic simulations of the cryogenic system of a tokamak
CEC 2015		R Cirillo, C Hoa, F Michel, J M Poncet and B Rousset.
Univ Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France		This paper studies the dynamic response of the cryogenic system serving a fusion tokamak, including cooldown, normal operation and upset conditions. A detailed process model is built using an EcosimPro-derived cryogenic library, with components for compressors, turbines, valve trains and cold boxes. Running transient scenarios on this digital twin allows engineers to assess control strategies, identify potential bottlenecks and confirm adequate safety margins, reducing technical risk and improving confidence before and during operation of the real cryoplant.
2014
 Cryogenic performance and numerical modeling of a helium
refrigerator for the JT-60SA coil test facility
Alexandre Serrand, Walid Abdel-Maksoud, Laurent Genini, François-Paul JusterValidates EcosimPro/CRYOLIB by comparing simulations of an Air Liquide Helial 4003 refrigerator with measured power in pure and unbalanced modes; close agreement supports using EcosimPro to design/control the JT 60SA coil test loop.
2014
 Process modelling and simulation
in LHC cryogenics
Benjamin Bradu,
CERN, EN-ICE		Overviews CERN’s dynamic simulators of 4.5 K and 1.8 K refrigerators built in EcosimPro with CRYOLIB, exported to C++ and connected through OPC to PLC/SCADA for operator training, control validation, and virtual commissioning.
2014CRYOLIB: A commercial library for modelling and simulation of cryogenic processes with EcosimPro
Bradu B., Avezuela R., Blanco E., Cobas P., Gayet P., Veleiro A.
CERN, Engineering Department, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
Empresarios Agrupados, Magallanes 3, 28015 Madrid, España 		The work introduces CRYOLIB, a commercial component library designed specifically for modelling cryogenic processes within the EcosimPro environment. CRYOLIB provides ready-to-use models for valves, heat exchangers, phase separators, turbines, compressors and distribution lines, all tuned for cryogenic fluids. By building on EcosimPro’s object-oriented language, CRYOLIB allows engineers to assemble complex refrigeration and liquefaction plants rapidly, perform both steady-state and dynamic studies, and reuse validated components across multiple projects, greatly reducing modelling time and increasing result reliability.
2012
 Example of cryogenic process simulation using EcosimPro: LHC beam screen cooling circuits
 Benjamin Bradu, Enrique Blanco Viñuela, Philippe Gayet
CERN Engineering Department, Switzerland
This paper demonstrates how EcosimPro can be used to simulate the LHC beam-screen cooling circuits, which operate with supercritical helium under demanding conditions. A detailed network model of pipes, valves, restrictions and heat loads is developed, allowing analysis of cooldown sequences, steady operation and fault transients. EcosimPro’s capability to handle complex thermophysical properties and large equation sets makes it an effective tool for checking design margins, supporting operational decisions and analysing potential upgrades of the beam-screen cooling system.
2010
 Helium Cryoplant Off-line Commissioning and Operator Training: Two Applications of the PROCOS simulation system at CERN
 Marco Pezzetti, Benjamin Bradu, Philippe Gayet, Julien Vasseur
CERN(European Centre for Nuclear Research), Switzerland
The paper describes two applications of the PROCOS simulation system—built on EcosimPro technology—for helium cryoplants at CERN: off-line commissioning support and operator training. High-fidelity dynamic models of the cryoplants run in real time and are connected to control systems and training stations, reproducing plant behaviour under normal and faulty conditions. Using an EcosimPro-based simulator helps reduce commissioning time, improves operator preparedness and offers a safe environment for practising rare or hazardous scenarios.
2007
 A Dynamic Simulator for Large-Scale Cryogenic Systems
Bradu, Gayet, Niculescu, CERN(European Centre for Nuclear Research), Switzerland
This foundational paper presents a dynamic simulator for large-scale cryogenic systems, such as those used in particle accelerators. Based on EcosimPro modelling technology, the simulator includes component libraries for compressors, turbines, valves, heat exchangers and control systems, and can be configured for different plant layouts. By providing a realistic, reconfigurable virtual plant, the EcosimPro-based simulator becomes a key engineering and training tool, enabling analysis of operating strategies, control tuning and incident scenarios without jeopardising costly cryogenic installations.