Investigation on Basic Pulse Tube Refrigerator – I

Abstract

Since the first observation of a cooling effect at one end of a hollow tube in which a pressure pulsation existed in early 1960’s, the so-called ‘pulse tube refrigerator’ has become one of the most promising cryogenic refrigerators. Due to the absence of moving parts in the cold temperature region and the associated advantages of reliability and simplicity, the pulse tube system has become one of the most fascinating research topics in the area of cryogenic field. This paper summarizes a heat pumping process occurring in the pulse tube refrigerator causing the cooling process. The pulse tube cycle is developed, to utilizes this effect in such a manner that it pumps heat from one end of long thin walled tube at – 40 ºC to other end at 27 0C. The basic design procedure of different part of Basic pulse tube refrigerator, such as pulse tube, hot heat exchanger and compressor unit are discussed in this paper. The material requirements have also been identified. The linear configuration of Basic pulse tube refrigerator has been fabricated for the performance investigation. Design considerations of the regenerator, which is a critical component of this type of refrigerator and the vacuum system used are explained in detail. The design consideration is to produces 14 W refrigeration powers at – 40 ºC