Comparative simulation of Stirling and Sibling cycle cryocoolers with two codes

A comparative analysis of Stirling- and Sibling-cycle cryocoolers has been conducted with two different computer simulation codes. One code, CRYOWEISS, performs an initial analysis with the assumption of isothermal conditions in the machines and adjusts that result with decoupled loss calculations. The other code, MS*2, models fluid flows and heat transfers more realistically but ignores significant loss mechanisms, including flow friction and heat conduction through the metal of the machines. A comparison of constant-bore Stirling and Sibling machines shows that their performance is generally similar over a range of temperatures, pressures and operating speeds. No machine was consistently superior or inferior according to either code over the whole range of conditions studied