Measured Performance Of An Experimental Vuilleumier Heat Pump In Comparison To 3rd Order Theory

The performance of a prototype Willeumier heat pump, design and construction of which have been reported previously, was examined at the described test facility. The experimental data yield performance numbers of up to 1.33 if the primary energy consumption is considered, whereas the heat ratio reaches 1.4 at its maximum. Though the results are satisfactory for this first design, further imprvements are required. A 3rd order computer program, which is capable of simulating any valveless re nerative cycle merely on the basis of an apprjoriate set Tingut data, was developed and used for the reproduction of the data. As the agreement is generally good, the program may serve as a basis for an evaluation of the deficiencies of the engine. It was found that mainly the cold regenrator requires further improvements. Some suggestions and the performance numbers to be expected for these are included In addition to tables of the major experimental data and the input data for the simulation program.