Measurement and analysis of energy flow in Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator

Abstract

The analysis of energy flow is a useful method for understanding a system. This paper focuses on the instantaneous measurement of physical conditions and analysis of energy flow in the Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator. For measuring physical conditions of the working fluid such as the mass flow rate, the temperature, and the pressure, several cryogenic sensors are installed in the Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator optimally designed in the operating condition of 60 Hz and 2.5 MPa. The physical conditions of the working fluid in the Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator are carefully measured as varying the operating frequency and the charging pressure. From the measured results, the enthalpy, the PV work, and the loss are quantified in each location of the PTR and the conversion of energy flows is experimentally confirmed. The results of this paper can be used for understanding the optimal operating condition and modifying correlations of various losses in the Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator. KEYWORDS: Energy flow, Loss, Pulse tube refrigerator