Parameter Study On The Radial-flow Gas Wave Refrigerator

Natural gas which is playing a more indispensable role in energy sources in the21th century is proved to be cryogenically processed by expanding refrigeration technology. Based on that, the Pressure Exchanging Refrigerator uses the movement of shock waves and contact faces in the channels to covert the pressure energy to realize expanding refrigeration.By optimizing the technological process, Over-Expanded Gas Wave Refrigerator gets an apparent higher isentropic efficiency.In this paper, the Over-Expanded Gas Wave Refrigerator’s transformation of the axial structure into the radial structure is a main research object, whose performance is analyzed and investigated by using the method of numerical simulation and can be a great help in optimizing its configuration and improving refrigeration capability. The following work has been done in this dissertation:(1)The Radial-flow Gas Wave Refrigerator (RGWR) is designed and ascertained based on the structure of Axial Gas Wave Refrigerator.The wave movement and the working process in RGWR were analyzed in detail using the unsteady flow theory of gas dynamics,and a theoretic wave pattern of the gas wave refrigeration process was drawn by using the gas wave theory in the shock tube.(2) A2-D multi-period numerical model of Radial Gas Wave Refrigerator was used to analyze the internal dynamics fluid flow, and predict the effect. Based on the simulation results, we could come to a conclusion that Radial Gas Wave Refrigerator would get a good performance and have an advantage of simple structure.(3) Some design schemes are given with which the influence of main structure parameters (nozzle size, deflection distance, channel structure,wall distance,) on refrigeration performances of PER are investigated by means of CFD simulation.The results show that when the structure is optimally matched,the performance is better than other cases which is of great guidance in raising refrigeration efficiency.(4) Various operating conditions are adjusted with the fixed structure parameters to analyze the influence of different operating parameters on the refrigeration performance. Numerical simulation states clearly pressure ratio, rotate speed heat transfer will make great influence while the temperature and pressure of HP port and pipe losses almost come into no effect.