A thermodynamic model based on exergy flow for analysis and optimization of pulse tube refrigerators Original Research Article

A thermodynamic model based on exergy flow through pulse tube refrigerators (PTRs) is developed. An exergetic efficiency parameter representing the losses in the pulse tube itself is proposed. The effects of control parameters representing a general phase shifter and their effect on the system performance are discussed. Analytical solutions representing important parameters in the design of PTRs such as the load curve, cooling power and efficiency in terms of basic system input parameters are developed. It is shown that the analytical model is powerful and convenient for optimization of PTRs and in quantifying its operational bound and important losses. Results indicating a compromise between cooling power and efficiency in PTRs under certain conditions are presented and discussed.