Numerical simulation of heat and fluid flow in basic pulse tube refrigerator

Purpose - To clarify the physical working principle of refrigeration in basic pulse tube refrigerators (BPTRs). Design/methodology/approach - A numerical simulation was performed. Transient compressible NS equation was solved utilizing the TVD scheme coupled with energy equation. Findings - The periodic flow and temperature field were obtained. The movement of the gas particles and heat transfer between the gas particles and wall were analyzed. These numerical results explained the mechanism of surface heat pumping (SHP) which is known as the working principle of refrigeration in BPTR. Research limitations/implications - Pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) is classified into the third generation. BPTR is the first generation. It is needed to clarify the working principle of refrigeration in the second and third generation by analyzing heat and fluid flow in the tube. Practical implications - A very useful source of information to understand the physical working principle of refrigeration in BPTR. Originality/value - The mechanism of SHP was shown by analyzing the heat exchange between the gas particles and pulse tube wall.