Numerical Simulation of the Heat Transfer and Flow Characteristics of Pulse Tube Refrigerators

Yuan Meng, Zheng Cui, Wei Shao () and Wanxiang Ji ()
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Yuan Meng: Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Zheng Cui: Shandong Institute of Advanced Technology, Jinan 250061, China
Wei Shao: Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Wanxiang Ji: Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Because of the unequal diameter between the pulse tube and the heat exchangers at the two sides, the fluid entering the pulse tube from the heat exchanger easily forms a complex disturbing flow in the pulse tube, which causes energy loss and affects the performance of a pulse tube refrigerator. This study proposes a numerical model for predicting the flow and heat transfer characteristics of pulse tube refrigerators. Three cases of adding conical tube transitions between the pulse tube and the heat exchanger are studied, and the results indicate that the conical tube transition can reduce the fluid flow velocity at the inlet and outlet of the pulse tube and reduce the size of the vortex at the boundary of the pulse tube. In comparison with the tapered transition of 45° on only one side of the pulse tube, both sides can maintain the temperature gradient, effectively decrease the effect of the disturbing flow, and significantly improve the cooling performance of the pulse tube.

Keywords: computational fluid dynamics; disturbance flow; multidimensional flow; pulse tube (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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