Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization Based on Exergy Flow for a Two-Staged Pulse Tube Refrigerator

Abstract

A control thermodynamic model for a two-stage Pulse Tube Refrigerators (PTRs) is developed based on exergy flow in the refrigerator. The model includes flow conductance, heat transfer effectiveness, and conduction heat transfer parameters for regenerators in both stages. It is assumed that a phase shift controller exists in both stages to control the phase shift between the pressure and mass flow rates that can control and optimize the performance of the refrigerator. The effects of the allocation of the values of flow conductance and ineffectiveness parameters in the regenerators, the mid-stage temperature, and the phase shift in each stage on the performance of the refrigerator are investigated. Important dimensionless parameters controlling the thermodynamic performance of twostage PTRs, including a model to quantify the magnitude of different components of irreversibility in the regenerators, is developed and discussed.