Effects of the Inertance Tube Length and Diameter on Pulse Tube Refrigerator Performance
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A numerical study is reported here for the investigation of the effects of the inertance tube length and diameter on the performance of a single stage inertance pulse tube refrigerator (IPTR). A detailed timedependent axisymmetric computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of an IPTR is used to predict its performance. In the CFD model, the continuity, momentum and energy equations are solved for both the refrigerant gas (helium) and the porous media regions (the regenerator and the three heat-exchangers). The resultant flow fields (pressure, velocity and temperature) are used to study the phase relationships between the pressure and the mass flow in the regenerator, pulse tube and inertance tube regions and the performance of the system. The effects of the length and diameter of the inertance tube on these phase relationships and the effect of the inertance on the system performance are also investigated. The predictions compare well with previously published theory and results. The CFD model offers an accurate and economical alternative to design of efficient pulse tube refrigeration systems.
