Numerical investigation of a displacer-type pulse tube refrigerator with work recovery

Abstract

The displacer-type pulse tube refrigerator with work recovery (WRPTR) is a promising pulse tube refrigerator for its high efficiency. A two-dimensional CFD simulation is conducted to study a displacer-type WRPTR by moving mesh technology. The numerical results show good agreement with experimental values. The temperature distribution and phase relation in various parts are presented. Furthermore, the multidimensional flow characteristics in the pulse tube and T-junction are studied in detail. The zero-velocity interface associated with two different flow styles in the pulse tube is observed, which leads to the formation of the vortices at the cold end of the pulse tube. The evolution mechanism of the recirculation zones at the T-junction area under oscillations is illuminated for the first time. The PV power loss caused by the T-junction is calculated quantitatively. The PV power loss reaches 9.09 W when the cooling capacity is 30 W at 170 K, and it accounts for around 18.25% of the PV power in the compression space. The numerical research provides theoretical guidance for understanding oscillating flow behavior in the displacer-type WRPTR.