Minimising flow losses within the pulse tube of a Stirling pulse tube cryocooler

Successful operation of Stirling pulse tube cryocoolers relies on minimising flow mixing within the pulse tube. Hence, the pulse tube and the flow straighteners at either end must be designed with great care. In this study, the flow within the pulse tube of an existing Stirling pulse tube cryocooler is numerically analysed and alternative flow straightener designs are suggested. The numerical simulation have been carried out using CONVERGE CFD, a finite volume Navier-Stokes solver. The standard k-e RANS turbulence model has been used to account for the effects of turbulence within the pulse tube.