An interview with insulation lead Eoghan McNamara
Q: Can you explain the importance of the Vacuum Insulation Test Rig (VITR) for SuperNode’s R&D?
A: The VITR is a key tool for us in our work on our game changing superconducting transmission technology. It allows us to simulate real-world conditions and test various insulations used in our superconducting cables under a range of conditions, including different temperatures and vacuums. This is critical in the development of our superconducting technology. Our cables need to be cooled to and maintained at -183 degrees to achieve a state of superconductivity. Minimising temperature change through our insulation is one of the key factors that determines our cable performance, ensures that our products meet the highest standards of quality, reliability and cost effectiveness.
Q: How does the VITR work and what materials can it be used to test?
A: The VITR is a specialised piece of equipment, designed explicitly for the testing of insulation at cryogenic temperatures and vacuum pressures. Its operation involves measuring the amount of thermal energy that passes through the insulation, providing valuable data regarding performance and efficiency.
The VITR’s unique capacity to test insulation efficacy across different vacuum levels enables an understanding of the insulation’s effective thermal conductivity at different pressure levels. This allows us to compare different insulation types and assess how well they will perform at various vacuum levels within real-world systems.
The VITR’s custom-built design ensures precision and reliability in measurement. Its thermally guarded structure minimises measurement errors by reducing unintended heat ingress, ensuring the accuracy of our data. Each test conducted within the VITR spans up to a week, underlining the rigorous and meticulous nature of SuperNode’s testing procedures.
Q: Can you discuss any recent developments or advancements made with the VITR?
A: We are constantly looking for ways to improve and refine our VITR to make it even more effective. Recently, we have been working on developing new processes of analysing the data collected by the VITR, which will help us to make more accurate predictions about the performance of our insulation in the real world. Additionally, we are also exploring new materials and insulation techniques to further improve the performance of our cables.