Abstract: A fullfield numerical model for the pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) is established and the fullfield compressible oscillating flow and heat transfer numerical simulation code based on two dimensional compressible SIMPLEC code are developed for the basic pulse tube refrigerator (BPTR), the orifice pulse tube refrigerator (OPTR) and the double inlet pulse tube refrigerator (DPTR). Based on the distribution of velocity, temperature and pressure and a comparison of the numerical results between the BPTR, OPTR and DPTR, the complex fluid flow and heat transfer of BPTR are investigated and the basic principle of PTR is revealed, thus laying down foundation for its optimization and further numerical study.

Key words: pulse tube refrigerator, numerical simulation, fluid flow, heat transfer, cooling mechanism