CFD Analysis of Regenerator of a GM cryocooler

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the emerging method for analysis of a GM cryocooler. The regenerator assumes as an important part in any cryocooler. The present work is directed upon the numerical analysis of regenerator of a GM cryocooler using commercial software ANSYS FLUENT. The wire mesh screen matrix is chosen as regenerator material. The 2D model of regenerator is created with suitable dimensions using WORKBENCH. Then, a numerical simulation is carried out to evaluate the performance of regenerator and analyze the fluid and heat flow characteristics of the regenerator. To execute and for the analysis it requires proper boundary condition. The demonstrating of regenerator requires suitable information about hydrodynamic parameters viz. inertial resistance, viscous resistance and porosity. The CFD helped to develop a 60K regenerator for a Single stage GM Cryo cooler, with no load condition and yet being highly compact in size. The temperature contour of the Regenerator was calculated and plotted using CFD. The materials for the study were decided to be Phosphor bronze for its better conducting properties and fluid taken was helium.