Current research projects

High temperature heat pump

Preformance measurements of heat exchangers

Thermostatic Expansion Valves

Panel with indirect evaporative cooling via membrane

Reduction of primary noise sources of fans

Test rigs for refrigeration and heat pump technology

Innovative Parahydrogen Generator Based on Magnets

Certification of efficient air conditioning and ventilation systems through the new "indoor air quality seal" for non-residential buildings

Investigation of material-dependent parameters

Hydrogen and methane testing field at the ILK

Thermal engines

Development of test methods and test rigs for stationary integrated refrigeration units

Optimizing HVAC operation with machine learning

Industry 4.0 membrane heat and mass exchanger (i-MWÜ4.0)

Cryogenic liquid piston pumps for cold liquefied gases like LIN, LOX, LHe, LH2, LNG, LAr

Helium extraction from natural gas

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Low Temperature Tribology

Industry and R&D

Dipl.-Ing. Gunar Schroeder

+49-351-4081-5129

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Tribological studies at cryogenic temperatures

For special applications at cryogenic temperatures the use of dry friction is necessary because the working temperatures are significant lower than the working range of liquid lubricants.

The ILK Dresden has extensive experience in the field of material testing at cryogenic temperatures and has developed a measuring system (from roomtemperature down to cryogenic temperatures) to determine the roughness and the coefficient of friction of different sliding material combinations.

The test stand consists of an experimental platform and a traversing mechanism with a force sensor, which is controlled via PC. The direct measurement of the friction force is carried out by the distance covered. Measurements can be performed down to −196 °C (lower temperatures on request). The cooling of the experimental platform and the samples is realised by a controlled liquid nitrogen heat exchanger/evaporator. Measurements are performed under an atmosphere of gaseous nitrogen to prevent the ingress of moisture. Thereby the experimental samples have no direct contact to liquid nitrogen. The uniform temperature distribution is measured by thermocouples, which are calibrated at the ILK Dresden.

Advantages: modular test setup which can be changed to specific requirements; adjustment of sample geometry and/or test track is possible.

Parameter

Measuring accuracy	Measuring range 0.4 N to 2 N	≤ 1 % of measured value
	Measuring range 2 N to 100 N	≤ 0.5 % of measured value
	Measuring range extendible up to 5 kN
Repeatability (e.g. PTFE)	± 0.05 N respectively 1.5 % of coefficient of friction