Chemnitz University of Technology starts new helium liquefaction plant

Chemnitz University of Technology starts new helium liquefaction plant

On July 15, 2025, a new helium liquefaction plant was put into operation at Chemnitz University of Technology. This modern facility replaces a facility that is over 30 years old and marks a significant advancement in the research community. Liquid helium, which exists at temperatures as low as 4.15 Kelvin (minus 269 degrees Celsius), is an essential coolant for many scientific experiments.

The new system was installed by the Vorbuchner company and uses advanced turbo compressor technology. It works in a closed circuit and can produce up to 20 liters of liquid helium per hour. The liquefaction process involves several stages: first the helium is compressed, then cooled and finally expanded in the final phase. This makes it possible to exclude disruptive influences when carrying out experiments at extremely low temperatures.

Applications and importance of helium liquefaction

Liquid helium is essential for many applications in physics and chemistry. It is used, among other things, in scanning probe microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A focus at Chemnitz University of Technology is on researching quantum computers, which require temperatures of just a few millikelvin to optimally perform their functions. These cryogenic conditions are necessary to fully exploit the effects of quantum mechanics.

The process of helium liquefaction is technically challenging. Helium must be cooled to temperatures below -268.9 °C (4.2 K), with a Joule-Thomson valve playing a key role in relaxing and cooling the helium gas. These processes are energy intensive and the cost of liquefaction is in the range of 3 to 5 euros per liter, depending on the size and efficiency of the plant.

Challenges and future of helium liquefaction

Helium liquefaction faces various challenges. These include the high energy requirement and the difficulty of handling and storing helium. A key future focus is to develop improved recycling systems and advanced isolation techniques to minimize helium loss.

The new helium liquefaction plant at Chemnitz University of Technology will not only be used for research purposes, but also for teaching purposes. This gives students the opportunity to carry out experiments under extreme conditions, which enriches their training in refrigeration engineering and cryophysics.

In summary, the commissioning of this modern helium liquefaction plant has not only improved the research conditions at Chemnitz University of Technology, but also significantly expanded the potential of associated technologies such as quantum computing. The investment in state-of-the-art technologies demonstrates the commitment of the university and its partners to the further development of the science and research landscape.

For more information on helium liquefaction and its applications see studysmarter.de and itep.kit.edu.