Optimization of the Swept Volume Ratio between the Compressor and the Active Displacer in an Efficient 20 K Thermal-Coupled Two-Stage Pulse Tube Cryocooler

Expand
  • 1. Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200083, China
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3. Nantong Academy of Intelligent Sensing, Nantong 226000, China

Online published: 2023-11-26

Supported by

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51806231), the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB35000000).

Copyright

Science Press, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023

Abstract

As an important component of the stirling-type pulse tube cryocooler (SPTC), an efficient phase shifter can significantly improve the cooling capacity. Compared to the common phase shifter, the active warm displacer (AWD) has a wider phase adjustment range and therefore can obtain a better phase relationship easily. Based on a two-stage thermal-coupled SPTC operating in the 20 K range, this paper studied the influence of the swept volume ratio between the compressor and displacer. The research found that the swept volume ratio changes the cooling capacity and efficiency of the cryocooler mainly by changing the phase difference between the pressure wave and the volume flow at the cold end. It was found from the results of the simulation and experiments that there is an optimal displacement of the displacer (Xd) of 2.5 mm and an optimal phase angle of 15° to obtain the highest cooling efficiency while the displacement of the compressor is constant. The cooling capacity at 20 K is 1.3 W while the input electrical power of the second stage compressor is 202 W, which indicates an overall relative Carnot efficiency (rCOP) of 0.055 in terms of input electrical power. In addition, due to the reasonable setting of precooling temperature and capacity, the swept volume ratio and phase at the maximum cooling capacity and maximum efficiency are consistent in this study. The research improves the understanding of phase shifters and has guiding significance for the optimization of the SPTC working below 20 K.

Cite this article

YIN Wang, LIU Shaoshuai, SONG Jiantang, WU Wenting, HUI Hejun, JIANG Zhenhua, LI Nanxi, ZHU Haifeng, WU Yinong . Optimization of the Swept Volume Ratio between the Compressor and the Active Displacer in an Efficient 20 K Thermal-Coupled Two-Stage Pulse Tube Cryocooler[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2023 , 32(6) : 2155 -2165 . DOI: 10.1007/s11630-023-1887-7

References

[1] Wang B., Gan Z., A critical review of liquid helium temperature high frequency pulse tube cryocoolers for space applications. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 2013, 61: 43–70.
[2] Deng W., Liu S., Jiang Z., et al., Development of a spaceborne pulse tube cooler operating at 170 K. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2020, 115: 1–8.
[3] Liu S., Jiang Z., Ding L., et al., Impact of operating parameters on 80 K pulse tube cryocoolers for space applications. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2019, 99: 226–233.
[4] Zhi X., Han L., Dietrich M., et al., A three-stage Stirling pulse tube cryocooler reached 4.26 K with He-4 working fluid. Cryogenics, 2013, 58: 93–96.
[5] Qiu L., Cao Q., Zhi X., et al., A three-stage Stirling pulse tube cryocooler operating below the critical point of helium-4. Cryogenics, 2011, 51(10): 609–612.
[6] Gan Z., Fan B., Wu Y., et al., A two-stage Stirling-type pulse tube cryocooler with a cold inertance tube. Cryogenics, 2010, 50: 426–431.
[7] Dietrich M., Thummes G., Two-stage high frequency pulse tube cooler for refrigeration at 25 K. Cryogenics, 2010, 50(4): 281–286.
[8] Nguyen T., Orsini R., Toma G., et al., Two stage pulse tube cooler for space applications. American Institute of Physics, 2004. DOI: 10.1063/1.1774824. 
[9] Radebaugh R., Development of the pulse tube refrigerator as an efficient and reliable cryocooler. Australian Refrigeration Air Conditioning & Heating, 2001, 55(3): 21–24, 26–27. (in Chinese)
[10] Wu W., Cui X., Liu S., et al., Cooling performance improvement of a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler with er-plated screen as regenerator material. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2021, 131: 615–622.
[11] Liu S., Chen X., Zhang A., et al., Investigation of the inertance tube of a pulse tube refrigerator operating at high temperatures. Energy, 2017, 123: 378–385.
[12] Kittel P., Ideal orifice pulse tube refrigerator performance. Cryogenics, 1992, 32(9): 843–844.
[13] Wang C., Wu P., Chen Z., et al., Numerical modelling of an orifice pulse tube refrigerator. Cryogenics, 1992, 32(9): 785–790.
[14] Boer P., Performance of the inertance pulse tube. Cryogenics, 2002, 42: 209–221.
[15] Zhu S., Matsubara Y., Numerical method of inertance tube pulse tube refrigerator. Cryogenics, 2004, 44(9): 649–660.
[16] Shi Y., Zhu S., Experimental investigation of pulse tube refrigerator with displacer. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2017, 76: 1–6.
[17] Liu B., Jiang Z., Ying K., et al., A high efficiency Stirling/pulse tube hybrid cryocooler operating at 35 K/85 K. Cryogenics, 2019, 101: 137–140.
[18] Lin Y., Guo Z., Guo Z., et al., Experimental investigation of the connecting tube effect on a step displacer type two stage pulse tube refrigerator. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2020, 173: 115–229.
[19] Matsubara Y., Miyake A., Alternative methods of the orifice pulse tube refrigerator. International Cryocooler Conference, 1988, 05: 127–135.
[20] Brito M., Peskett G., Numerical model of free warm expander pulse tube cooler. Cryogenics, 2001, 41(10): 751–755.
[21] Masuyama S., Kim Y., Park S., et al., Experimental research of Stirling type pulse tube refrigerator with an active phase control. Cryogenics, 2006, 46: 385–390.
[22] Zhu S., Nogawa M., Pulse tube stirling machine with warm gas-driven displacer. Cryogenics, 2010, 50(5): 320–330.
[23] Rana H., Abolghasemi M., Stone R., et al., Numerical modelling of a coaxial stirling pulse tube cryocooler with an active displacer for space applications. Cryogenics, 106. DOI: 10.1016/j.cryogenics.2020.103048.
[24] Abolghasemi M., Liang K., Stone R., et al., Stirling pulse tube cryocooler using an active displacer. Cryogenics, 2018, 96: 53–61.
[25] Abolghasemi M.A., Rana H., Stone R., et al., Coaxial Stirling pulse tube cryocooler with active displacer. Cryogenics, 2020, 111: 103–143.
[26] Zhu H., Jiang Z., Liu S., et al., Comparison of three phase shifters for Stirling-type pulse tube cryocoolers operating below 30 K. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2018, 88: 413–419.
[27] Pang X., Wang X., Dai W., et al., Theoretical and experimental study of a gas-coupled two-stage pulse tube cooler with stepped warm displacer as the phase shifter. Cryogenics, 2018, 92: 36–40.
[28] Chassaing C., Butterworth J., Aigouy G., et al., 15 K pulse tube cooler for space missions. Cryocoolers 18, International Cryocooler Conference, Inc., Boulder, CO, edited by Miller S.D. and Ross Jr. R.G., 2014, pp. 27–32.
[29] Swift G., Gardner D., Backhaus S., et al., Acoustic recovery of lost power in pulse tube refrigerators. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1999, 105: 711–724.
[30] Wang L., Wu M., Sun X., et al., A cascade pulse tube cooler capable of energy recovery. Applied Energy, 2016, 164: 572–578.
[31] Chen X., Ling F., Zeng Y., et al., Investigation of the high efficiency pulse tube refrigerator with acoustic power recovery. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 159: 113904.
[32] Zhu S., Lin Y., Fundament of input power distribution and phase shifter functions of a step displacer type two-stage pulse tube refrigerator. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2020, 113: 31–37.
[33] Wang X., Zhang Y., Li H., et al., A high efficiency hybrid stirling-pulse tube cryocooler. AIP Advances, 2015, 5: 037127. DOI: 10.1063/1.4915900.
[34] Guo Y., Chao Y., Gan Z., et al., Performance analysis on free-piston Stirling cryocooler based on an idealized mathematical model. IOP Conference, 2017.
DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/278/1/012174.
[35] Yin W., Liu S., Wu Y., et al., An 880 mW@15 K thermal coupled pulse tube cryocooler with active phase shifter. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2022, 1240: 012018.
[36] Liu B., Jiang Z., Ying K., et al., Numerical and experimental study on a stirling/pulse tube hybrid refrigerator operating around 30 K. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2021, 123: 34–44.
[37] Liu B., Jiang Z., Ying K., et al., Theoretical model of a Stirling/Pulse tube hybrid refrigerator and its verification. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2021.
DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116587.
[38] Qiu L., Numazawa T., Thummes G., et al., Performance improvement of a pulse tube cooler below 4 K by use of GdAlO3 regenerator material. Cryogenics, 2001, 41(9): 693–696.

Outlines

/