Computer Aided Design and Performance Prediction of Cryogenic Regenerator for Stirling Cycle Cryocooler

Mechanical engineering

The Cryogenic regenerator is one of the most critical components of a Cryocooler. It is a device which transfers energy between two fluids by storing it in a matrix. Thermal energy is temporarily stored and used to heat or cool a fluid flowing through the matrix. It is a compact periodic heat exchanger in which the fluid is in direct contact with the solid heat transfer area. The practical realization of a Cryocooler is possible only with the development of efficient regenerators. The regenerator is the heart of the Stirling cycle Cryocooler, plays a major role in determining and subsequently obtaining the required temperature and refrigerating effect. In this dissertation work, a computer aided model of regenerator is designed in CAD software for Stirling cycle Cryorefrigerator. The present work aims to study the influence of regenerator matrix on its effectiveness. This research study attempts to simulate the actual conditions existing in the regenerator of Stirling cycle Cryocoolers. CFD simulation has been carried out to predict the performance of the regenerator and the results have been compared with the results of open literature. Once the results have been compared the design is modified to get minimum pressure drop maximum effectiveness. Wall storage effect is also simulated in CFD simulation which gives higher effectiveness than without considering the wall storage effect. One can fabricate it by using optimized data and evaluate its performance. Thus, the designed regenerator will surely give higher thermal performance as against lower pressure drop... Keywords: Cryogenic regenerator.

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