초록
An experimental apparatus was prepared to investigate thermal and hydrodynamic characteristics of regenerator at cryogenic temperature under pulsating pressure condition. The regenerator was pressurized and depressurized by a compressor with various operating frequencies. Cold end of the regenerator was maintained around 100 K by means of a liquid nitrogen heat exchanger. Instantaneous gas temperature and mass flow rate were measured at both ends of the regenerator during the whole pressure cycle. Pulsating pressure drop across the regenerator was also measured to see if it could be predicted by a friction factor at steady flow condition. The operating frequency of pressure cycle was varied between 3 and 60 Hz, which are typical operating frequencies of Gifford-McMahon, pulse tube, and Stilting cryocoolers. First, the measured friction factor for typical wire screen mesh regenerator was nearly same as steady flow friction factor for maximum oscillating Reynolds number up to 100 at less than 9 Hz. For 60 Hz operations, however, the discrepancy between oscillating flow friction factor and steady flow one was noticeable if Reynolds number was higher than 50. Second, the ineffectiveness of regenerator was directly calculated from experimental data when the cold-end was maintained around 100 K and the warm-end around 293 K, which simulates an actual operating condition of cryogenic regenerator. Influence of the operating frequency on ineffectiveness was discussed at low frequency range.
