CFD analysis of high frequency miniature pulse tube refrigerators for space applications with thermal non-equilibrium model

Ashwin, TR and Narasimham, GSVL and Jacob, Subhash (2010) CFD analysis of high frequency miniature pulse tube refrigerators for space applications with thermal non-equilibrium model. In: Applied Thermal Engineering, 30 (2-3). pp. 152-166.

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Abstract

High frequency, miniature, pulse tube cryocoolers are extensively used in space applications because of their simplicity. Parametric studies of inertance type pulse tube cooler are performed with different length-to-diameter ratios of the pulse tube with the help of the FLUENT (R) package. The local thermal non-equilibrium of the gas and the matrix is taken into account for the modeling of porous zones, in addition to the wall thickness of the components. Dynamic characteristics and the actual mechanism of energy transfer in pulse are examined with the help of the pulse tube wall time constant. The heat interaction between pulse tube wall and the oscillating gas, leading to surface heat pumping, is quantified. The axial heat conduction is found to reduce the performance of the pulse tube refrigerator. The thermal non-equilibrium predicts a higher cold heat exchanger temperature compared to thermal equilibrium. The pressure drop through the porous medium has a strong non-linear effect due to the dominating influence of Forchheimer term over that of the linear Darcy term at high operating frequencies. The phase angle relationships among the pressure, temperature and the mass flow rate in the porous zones are also important in determining the performance of pulse tuberefrigerator.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Applied Thermal Engineering
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier Science.
Keywords:	Cryocoolers;Pulse tube;Regenerator;Oscillatory flow;Inertance tube.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for Cryogenic Technology Division of Mechanical Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2010 10:04
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:53
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/25174

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