Abstract
In Stirlig cycle machines, the regenerator entrance area is usually smaller than the cross-sectional area of matrix and the pressure drop loss increases due to a nonuniform velocity distribution in the matrix. This study measured and analyzed the effect of the small distance gap between the entrance and the matrix end on the pressure drop. In addition, the velocity distribution of a working gas flow was observed by the flow visualization methods using a smoke-wire and a hydrogen bubbling. The results show that the gap extends considerably the flow to radial direction, makes the velocity distribution uniform and is effective in decreasing the pressure drop loss across the regenerator matrix.
