A 3-Dimensional Numerical Study a Co-Axial type Acoustic Stirling Cryocooler
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A 3-dimensional numerical study is reported here for the investigation of the performance of a co-axial single stage acoustic Stirling cryocooler. The cryocooler is driven by a cyclically moving piston with helium as the working fluid. The buffer tube section is concentric with the annular regenerator. The porous media heat-exchangers at each end of the buffer tube act as flow straightners and prevent mixing of the flow. The regenerator and the heat-exchangers are modeled as 'porous media heat exchangers' and a non-equilibrium heat transfer model (between solid and gas) is applied in these regions. The management of flow patterns from the regenerator sections to the buffer tube is of significant importance in the performance of the proposed co-axial cryocoolers. Three types of flow distribution systems in the cold head region are studied via detailed simulations of the 3-D flow and temperature fields. The first system consists of slots that evenly distribute the turning gas flowing from the regenerator to the buffer tube region. In the second system the slots are replaced by an open cold head region. Finally, in the third system the open cold head is filled with copper mesh screen. The three systems are compared for cryocooler performance.
