A new computational model for entire pulse tube refrigerators: Model description and numerical validation

Performance of cryogenic regenerator with 3He as working fluid

“…In light of experiences on regular refrigerators, the working substance is an important aspect. The stable isotope 3 He exhibits advantages with better integrated features in density, specific heat, enthalpy, thermal conductivity and viscosity for regenerative cryocoolers, which have been verified by preliminary experimental investigations. de Waele et al [4] were the first to introduce 3 He in a three-stage pulse tube cryocooler and succeed in attaining 1.87 K at the cold end of the last stage.…”

“…The stable isotope 3 He exhibits advantages with better integrated features in density, specific heat, enthalpy, thermal conductivity and viscosity for regenerative cryocoolers, which have been verified by preliminary experimental investigations. de Waele et al [4] were the first to introduce 3 He in a three-stage pulse tube cryocooler and succeed in attaining 1.87 K at the cold end of the last stage. Satoh and Numazawa [5] then achieved a cooling temperature of 1.47 K using 3 He as working fluid in a G-M cryocooler with a new regenerative material.…”

“…Jiang et al [6] further lowered the cooling temperature down to 1.27 K in a separated-type two-stage pulse tube cryocooler. They also compared experimental results obtained by substituting 3 He for 4 He. More recently, a four-stage pulse tube cryocooler developed by Nast et al [7] at Lockheed-Martin using 3 He in the last stage, reached a temperature of 3.8 K with an input power of 300 W and a frequency of 31 Hz.…”

“…Regenerative cryocoolers are seen as a solution satisfying these demands. In the last 40 years, most cryocoolers used in scientific studies and even commercial products employ working substances of 4 He [1][2][3]. 4 He is an excellent refrigerant and easily available in the market.…”

“…de Waele et al [4] were the first to introduce 3 He in a three-stage pulse tube cryocooler and succeed in attaining 1.87 K at the cold end of the last stage. Satoh and Numazawa [5] then achieved a cooling temperature of 1.47 K using 3 He as working fluid in a G-M cryocooler with a new regenerative material. Jiang et al [6] further lowered the cooling temperature down to 1.27 K in a separated-type two-stage pulse tube cryocooler.…”