Study of mass flow distribution between stages in a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler capable of 1.1 W at 4.2 K

The mass flow distribution among stages is important for design and optimization of multi-stage cryocoolers, which has been seldom investigated due to the complicated mutual interference among stages. The cooling performance’s dependence on operating parameters was investigated in a home-made separate two-stage pulse tube cryocooler (PTC), in which mass flow to each stage can be conveniently adjusted. The numerical study revealed the dependence of cooling performance of the second stage on mass flow rate and precooling temperatures. The experiments with different mass flow rates were performed and results agreed well with simulation. Cooling power of 0.7 W at 4.2 K was obtained with single-compressor and mass flow rate of 3 g s−1 on the second stage; in the two-compressor driving mode, 1.1 W at 4.2 K was achieved with input power of 11.7 kW, which is the largest cooling power ever obtained at liquid helium temperatures in a separate PTC.

► Numerical and experimental studies of mass flow distribution optimization were performed on a separate two-stage pulse tube cryocooler.
► With the higher mass flow rate, cooling power of the second stage decreases with the increase of precooling temperature.
► The experiments with different mass flow rates on the second stage were implemented.
► 1.1 W at 4.2 K was obtained in a separate two-stage pulse tube cryocooler working at liquid helium temperatures.