Tests of cold helium compressors at Fermilab

Fermilab has tested two compressors for possible installation in the satellite refrigerator buildings of the Tevatron cryogenic system. Both Creare Inc. and Cryogenic Consultants Inc. have supplied units for evaluation. The Creare machine, a high speed centrifugal pump/compressor, yielded 60% adiabatic efficiency but had difficulty withstanding two-phase flow. Cryogenic Consultants provided a reciprocating unit which achieved 59% efficiency and, although lacking the operating characteristics of the turbomachine, endured throughout testing and was insensitive to two-phase flow. Test results are discussed