An Update on Estimating the Cost of Cryogenic Refrigeration

Abstract

This paper is an update of a report written in 1991¹ concerning cost estimating of refrigeration for superconducting magnets. This report updates cost data collected by Strobridge^2,3,4 over 20 years ago and data collected by these authors. The actual costs have been inflated to 1997 dollars and are plotted. A correlation function between cost and refrigeration at 4.5 K and 1.8 K is given. An annual cost for refrigeration can also be estimated based on the refrigeration at 4.5 K or 1.8 K and the cost of electrical energy. A correlation function for estimating input power to the compressors to the refrigeration produced at 4.5 K and 1.8 K is also given.