Thermodynamic optimization of the recuperative heat exchanger for Joule-Thomson cryocoolers using response surface methodology.

In this paper, a numerical study is performed to investigate the effects of geometrical parameters on the thermodynamic performance of the helically coiled recuperative heat exchanger in a Joule–Thomson (J–T) cryocooler. A novel optimization model is developed based on the available work loss minimization for the recuperative heat exchanger. The experiments are conducted based on four factors: L, Dt, S, Ds, one level: Nd, and the results are analyzed according to the principle of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The final predicted optimum combination of geometrical parameters for the heat exchanger is: L?=?430.5?mm, Dt?=?0.45?mm, S?=?5.41, Ds?=?4.3?mm. The optimization results are in good agreement with our model, and the deviations of predicted values are less than 1.32%. The model and results presented here for the optimization of the heat exchanger can provide helpful guidance and a new way for the optimization of J–T cryocooler.