Abstract
An inter-phasing pulse tube cooler (IPPTC) consists of two pulse tube units, which are connected to each other at hot ends of the pulse tubes through a needle valve. This paper presents the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) results of an IPPTC using a 2D axis-symmetrical model. General results such as the phase difference between pressure and velocity at cold end and hot end, the temperature profiles along the wall, the available lowest temperature as well as its oscillations and the coefficient of performance (COP) for IPPTC are presented. The formation of DC flow and its effects on the performance of the cooler are investigated and analyzed in detail. Turbulence, which is partially responsible for the poor overall performance of a single orifice pulse tube cooler (OPTC), is found to be much reduced in IPPTC and its performance is improved significantly compared with the single OPTC.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
de Boer, P.C.T., 2000. Optimization of the orifice pulse tube. Cryogenics, 40(11):701–711. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275 (01)00003-0]
de Waele, A.T.A.M., Steijaert, P.P., Koning, J.J., 1998. Thermodynamical aspects of pulse tube II. Cryogenics, 38(3):329–335. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275(97)00164-1]
Gao, J.L., Matsubara, Y., 1996. An Inter-phasing Pulse Tube Refrigerator for High Refrigeration Efficiency. Proceedings of ICEC16/ICMC, Kitakyushu, p.295–298.
Gardner, D.L., Swift, G.W., 1997. Use of inertance in orifice pulse tube refrigerators. Cryogenics, 37(2):117–121. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275(96)00107-5]
Kaiser, G., Brehm, H., Thürk, M., Seidel, P., 1996. Thermodynamic analysis of an ideal four-valve pulse tube refrigerator. Cryogenics, 36(7):527–533. [doi:10.1016/0011-2275(96)00017-3]
Mikulin, E.I., Tarasov, A.A., Shkrebyonock, M.P., 1985. Low temperature pulse tube. Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, 31:49–51.
Olson, J.R., Swift, G.W., 1997. Acoustic streaming in pulse tube refrigerators: tapered pulse tube. Cryogenics, 37(12):769–776. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275(97)00037-4]
Tanida, K., Hiresaki, Y., Matsubara, Y., 1997. Two-stage Interphasing Pulse-tube Cooler. Proceedings of the 5th Japanese-Sino Joint Seminar on Cryocooler and its Applications. Osata, Japan, p.72–77.
Wang, C., Thummes, G., Heiden, C., 1998a. Control of DC gas flow in a single-stage double-inlet pulse tube cooler. Cryogenics, 38(8):843–847. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275 (98)00070-8]
Wang, C., Thummes, G., Heiden, C., 1998b. Effects of DC gas flow on performance of two-stage 4 K pulse tube coolers. Cryogenics, 38(6):689–695. [doi:10.1016/S0011-2275(98) 00044-7]
Zhang, X.B., Qiu, L.M., 2005. Theoretical analysis on an inner-phasing pulse tube cooler. Cryogenic Engineering, 6:13–16 (in Chinese).
Zhang, X.B., Qiu, L.M., Gan, Z.H., 2007. CFD simulation on a single orifice pulse tube cooler. Cryogenics, 47(5–6):315–321. [doi:10.1016/j.cryogenics.2007.03.005]
Zhu, S.W., Wu, P.Y., Chen, Z.Q., 1990. A Single Stage Double-inlet Pulse Tube Refrigerator Capable of Reaching 42 K. Proceedings of 13th ICEC, Beijing, p.567–572.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Project supported by the National Natural Science foundation of China (No. 50706042), the Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province (No. 2006C24G2010027) and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. Y105519), China
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, Xb., Gan, Zh., Qiu, Lm. et al. Computational fluid dynamic simulation of an inter-phasing pulse tube cooler. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A 9, 93–98 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A071259
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A071259