One-dimensional numerical analysis for Gifford-McMahon pulse tube cryocooler.

Gifford-McMahon pulse tube cryocoolers (G-MPTCs) are considered low frequency machines due to the presence of a switching mechanism between the compressor and other machine components. This paper presents a one-dimensional numerical analysis for a miniaturized pulse tube in a (G-MPTC) machine based on energy and mass conservation equations and solving them by using a stable numerical scheme. The presented numerical algorithm predicts the temperature dynamic profiles inside the tube and relates them to the compressor pressure variation. Moreover, the algorithm enables to estimate the mass and enthalpy flows through the miniaturized tube, which provides an indication of the cooling power associated with the machine. The results are then validated with similar systems found in the literature. As a conclusion, this paper could work as rough guide to estimate design parameters for any similar future G-M pulse tube cooler.