Numerical study on cyclic driving force of enhanced refrigeration wave rotor based on optimized passage structure

Abstract

Gas wave refrigeration technology is a new type of technical means to realize cold energy recovery by utilizing shock wave propagation characteristics. As the principal place for energy transfer, the shape of the oscillating tube directly determines the energy efficiency expression of the refrigeration equipment. In this paper, the differences in flow characteristics and loss patterns due to different passage shapes are numerically simulated. The optimized passage can not only improve the guiding effect of the wall on the gas flow but also bring about the self-excited ability of the circulating exhaust process, significantly reducing the external driving force demand. The shape of the rotor passage directly determines the expression of the pressure energy in the oscillating tube. The inclination angle of the high-temperature side represents the availability of static pressure energy, and the static pressure is more sensitive to the change of the high-pressure inclination angle. The calculation results show that reasonable passage length and intermediate radius will broaden the expansion depth and static pressure conversion rate and comprehensively improve the efficiency of the gas wave refrigeration system.