Comparative simulation of Stirling and Sibling cycle cryocoolers with two codes

The authors present a comparative analysis of Stirling and Sibling Cycle cryocoolers conducted with two different computer simulation codes. One code (CRYOWEISS) performs an initial analysis on the assumption of isothermal conditions in the machines and adjusts that result with decoupled loss calculations. The other code (MS*2) models fluid flows and heat transfers more realistically but ignores significant loss mechanisms, including flow friction and heat conduction through the metal of the machines. Surprisingly, MS*2 is less optimistic about performance of all machines even though it ignores losses that are modelled by CRYOWEISS. Comparison between constant-bore Stirling and Sibling machines shows that their performance is generally comparable over a range of temperatures, pressures and operating speeds. No machine was consistently superior or inferior according to both codes over the whole range of conditions studied