Numerical analysis of a pulse tube cryocooler with inertance tube-bounce space as phase shifter

Abstract

A performance comparison of a Pulse Tube Cryocooler (PTC) that uses inertance tube- bounce space and inertance tube-reservoir as a phase shifter is conducted using numerical simulations. The initial design cryocoolers were carried out using Sage software. A CFD model was developed using ANSYS Fluent to analyze the Cryocooler performance. The CFD model was used to simulate the effect of different volumes of reservoir and bounce space on Cryocooler performance. The thermal non-equilibrium mode was chosen to consider the effect of temperature difference between solid and fluid temperature difference in porous zones. The numerical model was validated with experiments from referred journal. The simulation results showed a phenomenal increasing trend in cooling capacity up to 400cm3, and thereafter, a marginal increment in performance with increase in volume. The Stirling cryocooler with inertance tube-bounce space as phase shifter has over performed the cryocooler with inertance tube-reservoir. The COP of cryocooler with 400cm3 bounce volume was found to be 0.042, is 1.38 times higher than that of 200 cm3 and for higher volumes difference in COP was less significant.