Author(s): Anna Vogel

Abstract: Cryogenic storage systems are critical components in scientific, medical, and aerospace applications, yet their complexity often limits hands-on exposure for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students. This study focuses on the conceptual design and thermal analysis of a small-scale cryogenic storage vessel intended specifically for educational demonstration purposes. The proposed vessel is designed to safely store a cryogenic fluid under controlled laboratory conditions while enabling students to visualize heat transfer mechanisms, insulation strategies, and thermal losses associated with cryogenic systems. A double-walled cylindrical configuration with vacuum insulation is adopted to minimize conductive and convective heat transfer, while radiation effects are mitigated through the inclusion of reflective surfaces. Material selection is guided by mechanical strength at low temperatures, thermal conductivity, manufacturability, and cost constraints appropriate for academic institutions. A simplified thermal resistance network is developed to estimate steady-state heat ingress into the vessel, accounting for conduction through structural supports, residual gas conduction within the vacuum annulus, and radiative heat transfer between inner and outer walls. Analytical calculations are performed to evaluate boil-off rates and temperature gradients under typical ambient conditions. The results demonstrate that appropriate insulation thickness and support geometry significantly influence thermal performance, with radiation and support conduction identified as dominant heat leak paths in small-scale systems. The conceptual design achieves acceptable thermal efficiency while maintaining simplicity and safety for instructional use. This research highlights the feasibility of developing low-cost cryogenic demonstration units that effectively bridge theoretical concepts and practical understanding of cryogenic heat transfer. The findings provide a foundation for further experimental validation and offer a structured framework for integrating cryogenic system design into engineering education curricula.

DOI: 10.22271/27078043.2026.v7.i1a.110

Pages: 31-35 | Views: 38 | Downloads: 12

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