Thermo-dynamical process simulation of dilution refrigerator

The design, analysis and optimization of a dilution refrigerator are carried via simulation of the thermo dynamical processes. To this end we have developed a comprehensive numerical simulation model, SID-FO (Simulation of Integrated Dilution Refrigerator for Optimization) based on enthalpy - balance considerations taking into account for several important micro-effects which are normally ignored by existing methods. The simulation has produced several unique results of the underlying phenomena occurring at various stages of the very low temperature process presented in this paper. The corresponding simulation results are compared with published experimental data of operational machines and found to comply well. The presence of He-4 in the circulating gas and its consequences for the generalized cooling power is also thoroughly examined here. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.