Experimental Investigation and Thermophysics Analysis of Joule-Thomson Cooler Applicable to Infrared Imaging

Abstract

Recuperative type of heat exchanger (H-E) based miniature Joule-Thomson (J-T) cooler operated in the steady-state condition is employed extensively in applications towards infrared detectors cooling, thermal imaging cameras, and homing guidance devices in a wide variety of defence projectile systems. In this study, a theoretical thermal design of recuperative H-E for determining a viable geometry using iterative methodology is discussed. A steady-state numerical analysis for the developed geometrical model of the H-E is also reported, along with the experimental studies for typical operating conditions. A custom numerical code using the Runge-Kutta method has been developed in MATLAB, and the results from the code compared with predictions of COMSOL multi-physics are in good agreement. Further, results have been validated proving the efficacy of the theoretical model and custom numerical code developed.


Effectiveness variation with mass flow rate for argon gas .
… 


Cooling capacity variation with mass flow rate for argon gas.
… 


Cooling capacity of J-T cooler with mass flow rate.
… 


Effect of variation in J-T cooler orifice on cool down time.
… 

 

Description