Impact of Gedeon streaming on the efficiency of a double-inlet pulse tube refrigerator

Gedeon streaming can cause a considerable deterioration in the efficiency of a double-inlet pulse tube refrigerator, which is usually ascribed to the thermal loss carried by the streaming in the conventional view. This paper addresses a different explanation of the mechanism behind the effect of Gedeon streaming on the efficiency of the double-inlet pulse tube refrigerator. Simulations of a typical double-inlet pulse tube refrigerator for various Gedeon streaming have been conducted to analyze the interaction between the enthalpy flow rate delivered by Gedeon streaming and the local temperature inside the regenerator and the pulse tube. The discussions are focused on the characteristics of acoustic field, the impact of Gedeon streaming on the temperature profiles, and the energy flows at the cold heat exchanger. The results indicate that different temperature profiles inside the regenerator and the pulse tube, caused by Gedeon streaming at various flow rate, can substantially change certain energy flow rates, e.g. equivalent conduction heat flow rate due to entropy transportation. This is the essential mechanism for Gedeon streaming affecting the efficiency of the double-inlet pulse tube refrigerator, instead of the thermal loss due to the enthalpy flow carried by the Gedeon streaming itself. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.