Computational fluid dynamic simulation of an inter-phasing pulse tube cooler

An inter-phasing pulse tube cooler (IPPTC) consists of two pulse tube units, which are connected to each other at hot ends of the pulse tubes through a needle valve. This paper presents the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) results of an IPPTC using a 2D axis-symmetrical model. General results such as the phase difference between pressure and velocity at cold end and hot end, the temperature profiles along the wall, the available lowest temperature as well as its oscillations and the coefficient of performance (COP) for IPPTC are presented. The formation of DC flow and its effects on the performance of the cooler are investigated and analyzed in detail. Turbulence, which is partially responsible for the poor overall performance of a single orifice pulse tube cooler (OPTC), is found to be much reduced in IPPTC and its performance is improved significantly compared with the single OPTC.