Optimization design of space reverse Brayton cryocooler based on recuperator effectiveness and flow resistance characteristics

ZHANG Zixin; CHEN Liang; CHEN Shuangtao; HOU Yu

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20260237

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Optimization design of space reverse Brayton cryocooler based on recuperator effectiveness and flow resistance characteristics

更新时间：2026-03-31

- Optimization design of space reverse Brayton cryocooler based on recuperator effectiveness and flow resistance characteristics
- CIESC Journal (2026)
- 作者机构：
  
  1.西安交通大学能源与动力工程学院，陕西西安 710049
  2.深低温技术与装备教育部重点实验室，陕西西安 710049
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.11949/0438-1157.20260237
  CLC： TK 172
- Received：16 February 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-03-26，
  
  Accepted：27 March 2026，
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
ZHANG Zixin, CHEN Liang, CHEN Shuangtao, et al. Optimization design of space reverse Brayton cryocooler based on recuperator effectiveness and flow resistance characteristics[J/OL]. CIESC Journal, 2026.
DOI：

ZHANG Zixin, CHEN Liang, CHEN Shuangtao, et al. Optimization design of space reverse Brayton cryocooler based on recuperator effectiveness and flow resistance characteristics[J/OL]. CIESC Journal, 2026. DOI： 10.11949/0438-1157.20260237.

摘要

随着空间任务的发展，数十瓦级的大冷量空间逆布雷顿低温制冷机需求日益迫切，其关键部件的高效设计仍面临诸多挑战。低温回热器作为核心部件，直接决定系统的制冷性能，同时占据系统的主要重量。因此，深入研究回热器性能对系统的影响并实现高效紧凑设计，对推动空间制冷技术发展具有重要意义。本文针对70 W@70 K空间逆布雷顿制冷机的回热器开展研究，定量分析了回热器性能对制冷系统特性的影响。研究表明，回热器的换热和流动性能对系统冷量输出存在显著影响。基于此，本文提出了一种采用高密度微肋结构的高效低温回热器设计方案，该结构具有优异的紧凑性，比表面积超过4400 m

。低温测试实验结果表明，所提出的高效回热器具有优异的换热和流动性能，换热效率达96.7%-97.4%。通过与制冷机常用的紧凑型板翅式换热器方案综合对比分析发现，本文提出的微肋结构回热器实现了82%的体积缩减和64%的重量减轻；在相同的体积条件下，高效微肋回热器的换热-流动综合性能大幅提升，性能评价准则（Performance Evaluation Criteria，简称PEC）高于2.9。最后，本文系统分析了微肋结构参数对回热器换热、流动性能及系统制冷量的影响，为高效回热器的优化设计提供了理论指导。

Abstract

With the development of space missions

the demand for cryogenic high-capacity space reverse Brayton cryocoolers in the tens of watts range has become increasingly urgent

while the efficient

design of their key components still faces numerous challenges. As a core component

the cryogenic recuperator directly determines the refrigeration performance of the system while accounting for a major portion of the system's weight. Therefore

in-depth research on the impact of recuperator performance on the system and achieving efficient and compact design is of great significance for advancing space refrigeration technology. The recuperator solutions for a 70 W@70 K space reverse Brayton cryocooler are investigated

with quantitative analysis of their performance impact on the cryocooler system. Results reveal that the thermal-hydraulic characteristics of the recuperator significantly influence the system's cooling capacity output. Therefore

a high-performance cryogenic recuperator design featuring high-density micro-pin-fin structures is proposed. The proposed design achieves exceptional compactness with a specific surface area exceeding 4400 m

. Cryogenic experimental validation demonstrates superior performance

with heat transfer effectiveness ranging from 96.7%-97.4%. Through comprehensive comparative analysis with existing solutions

the proposed micro-pin-fin recuperator achieves 82% volume reduction and 64% weight savings compared to the compact plate-fin heat exchangers widely used in cryocoolers. Under identical volume constraints

it exhibits significantly enhanced thermal-hydraulic performance with a Performance Evaluation Criterion (PEC) exceeding 2.9. Furthermore

the influence of micro-pin-fin structural parameters on both recuperator performance and system cooling capacity is systematically analyzed

providing guidance for design optimization.

关键词

Keywords

references

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