Abstract: A reciprocating cryogenic pump 2 comprises a piston reciprocable within a pumping chamber 44. The pumping chamber 44 has an inlet suction valve 48 for cryogenic liquid to be pumped and an outlet 32 for high pressure cryogenic liquid. The inlet valve 48 for the cryogenic liquid communicates with a cryogenic liquid reception chamber 46 in the cold end or head 6 of the pump 2. The pump head 6 is at least partially surrounded by a first jacket 8 retaining primary vacuum insulation. The first jacket 8 is itself at least partly surrounded by a second jacket 10. The jacket 10 defines a chamber for the reception of a coolant fluid such as liquid nitrogen and the second jacket has an inlet 20 and an outlet 22 for the liquid nitrogen. The thermal insulation can be further enhanced by a trapped gas space 73 between the first jacket 8 and an inner sleeve 52, the latter defining with an outer sleeve 50 vacuum insulation for the pumping chamber 44.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid expansion turbine has a turbine wheel mounted on a rotary shaft, at least one radial inlet for cryogenic liquid to be expanded in the expansion turbine for the rotary shaft, and a dry gas sealing means at a position along the rotary shaft between the turbine wheel and the bearings. There is a thermal barrier member between the turbine wheel and the dry gas sealing means, a gas chamber on the dry gas sealing means side of the thermal barrier member, and an internal passage for cryogenic gas to the said gas chamber. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A centrifugal rotor includes a hub (10) having a longitudinal axis (8), a fluid inlet (20), a first flange referred to as upstream flange (12) and having an opening (22) around the hub (10), a second flange referred to as downstream flange (14) separated from the first flange by blades (16) thus forming ducts each delimited by the first flange (12), the second flange (14) and two blades (16) and extending from the fluid inlet (20) to a peripheral outlet (26), near the peripheral outlet (26) the first flange (12) having a concave zone (32) facing towards the ducts whereas the second flange (14) has a convex zone (34) facing towards the ducts.

Abstract: A reciprocating cryogenic pump 2 comprises a piston reciprocable within a pumping chamber 44. The pumping chamber 44 has an inlet suction valve 48 for cryogenic liquid to be pumped and an outlet 32 for high pressure cryogenic liquid. The inlet valve 48 for the cryogenic liquid communicates with a cryogenic liquid reception chamber 46 in the cold end or head 6 of the pump 2. The pump head 6 is at least partially surrounded by a first jacket 8 retaining primary vacuum insulation. The first jacket 8 is itself at least partly surrounded by a second jacket 10. The jacket 10 defines a chamber for the reception of a coolant fluid such as liquid nitrogen and the second jacket has an inlet 20 and an outlet 22 for the liquid nitrogen. The thermal insulation can be further enhanced by a trapped gas space 73 between the first jacket 8 and an inner sleeve 52, the latter defining with an outer sleeve 50 vacuum insulation for the pumping chamber 44.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid expansion turbine has a turbine wheel mounted on a rotary shaft, at least one radial inlet for cryogenic liquid to be expanded in the expansion turbine for the rotary shaft, and a dry gas sealing means at a position along the rotary shaft between the turbine wheel and the bearings. There is a thermal barrier member between the turbine wheel and the dry gas sealing means, a gas chamber on the dry gas sealing means side of the thermal barrier member, and an internal passage for cryogenic gas to the said gas chamber. A method is also provided.