Experimental tests and modeling of the optimal orifice size for a closed cycle 4He sorption refrigerator

Closed cycle He-4 sorption refrigerators are an increasingly popular choice for remote cryogenic operations. The presence of a superfluid film on the inner walls of the evaporation pot limits their performance. We present a simple model of the gas, film, and heat flow in a He-4 sorption refrigerator, taking into account the effects of an orifice to limit superfluid film flow. The model serves as a useful guideline for optimizing cryogenic performance. We also present a diagram of hold time vs. steady state temperature as a function of the radius of the orifice and compare the model to measurements. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.