Numerical model-based prediction of performance of single stage traveling wave thermo-acoustic engines

Abstract

In the recent past, attraction towards the new power generation technologies and thermal energy recovery have become exponentially increasing due to the environmental and economic concerns. Thermo-acoustic generation has been identified as an attractive novel technology for low-grade energy recovery and power generation. Only moving component of the thermo-acoustic generation system is the linear alternator, which is used to convert acoustic energy into electrical energy, and hence, it leads to increase the reliability of thermo-acoustic systems with comparative to the other power generation technologies. Traveling wave thermo-acoustic generators have higher efficiencies with respective to its counterpart, standing-wave thermo-acoustic generators. Traveling wave thermo-acoustic generators are much economical and less complex as it can be operated with ambient air at atmospheric pressure conditions as the working fluid. During this study, a single stage traveling-wave​ thermo-acoustic engine was modeled and validated using available test results in the literature. The validated model was used to predict the optimum working conditions for a traveling wave thermo-acoustic engine to obtain the maximum efficiency from the engine. Results show that the increment of temperature in hot heat exchanger tends to increase the efficiency of the system.