THERMODYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION OF A HELICALLY COILED HEAT EXCHANGER FOR JOULE-THOMSON REFRIGERATORS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

摘要

In this study, an attempt is made to evaluate the effect of certain geometrical parameters on thermodynamicrnperformance of the recuperator in the miniature Joule-Thomson cryocooler. Tube length “L”, tube diameterrn“Dt”, rib effect coefficient “S” and shell diameter “Ds” are selected as influencing parameters. A novelrnoptimization model is developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the available workrnloss minimization for the recuperator. The adequacy of the model is examined using the Analysis ofrnVariance (ANOVA). The final optimization results show that an optimum combination of the geometricalrnparameters of the recuperator exists that leads to a minimum available work loss at certain conditions. It hasrnbeen proven that the relative error of the optimum results is less than 1.4%. The model and results presentedrnhere for the optimization of the recuperator may provide a helpful guidance and a new way for thernoptimization of J-T cryocooler.