Performance comparison of looped thermoacoustic electric generators with various thermoacoustic stages

Abstract

Thermoacoustic engine is a kind of novel heat engine based on thermoacoustic effect, with the merits of environmental benignity, simplicity, and reliability. In this work, looped travelling-wave thermoacoustic electric generators (LTTEGs) with one to four thermoacoustic stages have been developed and experimentally studied. It is observed that adding thermoacoustic stages can improve the thermal-electric efficiency of LTTEGs, while whether the extra stages lead to efficiency gain depends on the number of existing stages and other operating parameters (hot temperature, for instance). One main reason is that the Gedeon streaming, which might cause severe heat loss, can be enhanced by adding thermoacoustic stages and increasing hot temperature. The results suggest that the suppression of streaming in the looped thermoacoustic engine with multiple stages is even more urgent than in the traditional travellingwave engine with only one stage.

Multi-physics coupling in thermoacoustic devices: A review

“…The electrical resistance also showed some influence on the electric power output, however no optimal value was reported. Recently, Yang et al [291][292][293][294] carried out a series of experimental studies on multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electric generators. Their results demonstrated the existence of optimal values of electric capacitance and resistance in terms of electric power output and mechanical-to-electric efficiency.…”

Mode transition in a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine: A numerical study

“…From an acoustic perspective, TAEs can be viewed as continuous systems that possess multiple acoustic modes. In most cases, the TAE operates at the fundamental mode and that behaviour has been investigated extensively [18][19][20]. However, under certain circumstances, acoustic oscillations at the fundamental mode may transit to the second or higher modes as the control parameter changes.…”