CFD Analysis of an Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator: Exploring the Influence of tapered pulse tube and regenerator

Extensive studies and research have provided valuable insights into the operational principles of an IPTR (Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator). However, it has become apparent that the application of a novel parametric optimization technique is crucial for determining the optimal operating and geometrical parameters that can enhance the performance of an IPTR. This optimization process involves several steps. Initially, the optimal operating frequency is estimated, followed by the optimization of the Inertance tube length, which is the longest component in the system. The subsequent step involves finding the optimal combination of the operating frequency and Inertance tube length. Additionally, the geometry of both the regenerator and pulse tube is optimized by adjusting the tapered angle while keeping the volume constant. By applying this parametric optimization technique to the IPTR under investigation, remarkable improvements have been observed. Specifically, the temperature at the cold heat exchanger of the optimized IPTR is approximately 22% lower compared to previous configurations. These numerical investigations serve as strong evidence of the technique's capability to estimate the desired parameters for enhancing the performance of an IPTR.