Optimization of heat exchanger design in a thermoacoustic engine using a second law analysis
- Univ. of Queensland, St. Lucia (Australia). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
An analysis for the time averaged entropy generation due to both flow and heat transfer losses in the heat exchangers of a thermoacoustic engine has been developed. An expression for the optimum dimensionless heat exchanger area corresponding to minimum entropy generation has been determined in terms of three other dimensionless parameters. Optimum heat exchanger areas were calculated for three thermoacoustic devices. For the prime mover components of the thermoacoustic devices investigated where the temperature differences across the regenerator stacks were high, the analysis developed indicated that the heat exchanger at the hot end of the regenerator stack should be smaller than that at the cold end.
- OSTI ID:
- 242204
- Journal Information:
- International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 23, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: May-Jun 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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