Fundamental studies of radial wave thermoacoustic engines. Final report, 1 October 1993-14 September 1996
Our goal was to evaluate the influence of resonator geometry on thermoacoustic engine performance. Resonator geometry affects thermoacoustic heat transport and acoustic power generation, energy dissipation, and stack volume. Thermoacoustic engines placed in the first radial mode of a cylindrical resonator were studied in detail, and were compared with the more-developed plane wave resonator counterparts. A radial wave prime mover was constructed from use of our numerical model. Experimental results are that nonlinear generation of harmonics is considerably suppressed by the anharmonic radial wave resonator in comparison with a similar plane wave prime mover, and that the observed onset temperature for oscillation was in substantial agreement with model results. Short-stack-approximation results for radial and plane wave acoustic refrigerators indicate the plane wave geometry produces slightly better overall refrigerators when maximizing the coefficient of performance and cooling capacity together, though one radial geometry produces greater cooling capacity when coefficient of performance is not of central importance. The numerical model was used to evaluate a plane wave heat-driven sound source on a radial wave acoustic refrigerator. The optimized hybrid had an overall efficiency of 20%, and the refrigerator coefficient of performance was 25% Carnot.
- Research Organization:
- Nevada Univ., Reno, NV (United States). Atmospheric Sciences Center
- OSTI ID:
- 459626
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-319250/7/XAB; TRN: 70760080
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Sep 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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