Theoretical Study of a Flexible Wiretype Joule Thomson Micro-Refrigerator for Use in Cryosurgery

We have developed a model capable of predicting the performance characteristics of a wiretype Joule-Thomson microcooler intended for use within a cryosurgical probe. Our objective was to be able to predict evaporator temperature, temperature distribution and cooling power using only inlet gas properties as input variables. To achieve this, the model incorporated changing gas properties due to heat transfer within the heat exchanger and isenthalpic expansion within the capillary. In consideration of inefficiencies, heat in-leak from free convection and radiation was also considered and the use of a 2D axisymmetric finite difference code allowed simulation of axial conduction. Two types of microcoolers differing in inner tube material, poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and stainless steel, were tested and simulated. CO₂ was used as the coolant gas in the calculations and experimental trials for inlet pressures from 0.5 MPa to 2.0 MPa. Heat load trials of up to 550 mW along with unloaded trials were conducted. Comparisons to experiments show that the model was successfully able to obtain a good degree of accuracy. For the all PEEK microcooler in a vacuum using 2.0 MPa inlet pressure, the calculations predicted a temperature drop of 57 K and mass flow rate of 19.5 mg/s compared to measured values of 63 K and 19.4 mg/s therefore showing that conventional macroscale correlations can hold well for turbulent microscale flow and heat transfer as long as the validity of the assumptions is verified.