Iranian Journal of Mechanical Engineering Transactions of ISME

Iranian Journal of Mechanical Engineering Transactions of ISME

Transient and Steady-periodic Performance Analysis of a Multi-stage Thermoacoustic Pulse Tube Cryocooler

Authors
Mohsen Bahrami 1
Fathollah Ommi 2
1 Ph.D., University of Modarres, Faculty of ZMechanical Engineering
2 Professor, faculty of mechanical engineering, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran
10.30506/ijmep.2023.534087.1812
Abstract
 
In this paper, the starting and steady-periodic characteristics of a multi-stage looped-branched thermoacoustic cryocooler and its uncertainty with respect to effective parameters are calculated and discussed. In this regard, the start-up and nominal performance of the system are simulated using the numerical solution of Rott's one-dimensional equations. Numerical and experimental results of a similar system confirm the validity of the results of the present article. Simulation outcomes show that the number of stages, mean pressure and loop perimeter can significantly change the system performance. In contrast to previous findings, the results in this paper show that increasing the number of stages or increasing the mean pressure does not necessarily improve thermodynamic performance. Besides, Morris method is implemented to quantify uncertainty of the operating parameters of a four-stage cryocooler in relation to the geometric, modeling and material characteristics. The results reveal that the gas characteristics, solid conductivity and mesh geometry of the engine and refrigerator regenerator have a dominant nonlinear effect on the required hot temperature, exergy efficiency, relative Carnot efficiency, cooling load and temperature. Moreover, by adding additional thermodynamic cores in each stage, the amount of acoustic work and total enthalpy and its uncertainty increase and the effect of solid thermal conductivity decreases. With the developed model and main findings of this paper, one can optimize a reliable thermoacoustic cryocooler based on its onset and steady characteristics.
Keywords
Pulse tube cryocooler
Multi-stage looped-branched system
Steady periodic characteristics
Onset characteristics
Uncertainty quantification

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 14 July 2021
  • Revise Date 29 October 2022
  • Accept Date 11 April 2023