“…Both oil lubricated and pressurised gas lubricated bearings have been used (Patzelt et al 1973). A turbine developed by National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colarado, USA, has a shaft diameter of 8 mm and a design speed of 600,000 r.p.m, at 30 K inlet temperature (Mann et al 1963). Sixsmith & Wilson (1964) describe the turboexpander suitable for helium which operates at 500,000 r.p.m, using externally pressurised gas lubricated bearings.…”