Development of a laboratory model of activated charcoal-nitrogen adsorption cryocooler

The development of a laboratory model of a charcoal-nitrogen adsorption cry ocooler is described. The results on characterization of various components of this cooler and performance of the ensemble are presented. Four compres sor cells are operated 90 degrees out of phase to generate 0.0364 g/s (1.75 slpm) of nitrogen at a pressure of 5.2 MPa. The cycle time per compressor was 8 min, equally apportioned between heating and cooling. The high pressu re gas is pre-cooled to 193 K and expanded through a J-T/heat exchanger ass embly. A cold tip temperature of 124 K is obtained at a parasitic heat load of 0.36 W. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.