IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v106y2013icp377-382.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with a variable electric R-C load

Author

Listed:
  • Sun, D.M.
  • Wang, K.
  • Zhang, X.J.
  • Guo, Y.N.
  • Xu, Y.
  • Qiu, L.M.

Abstract

A traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator, which is composed of a traveling wave thermoacoustic engine and linear alternators, is promising in solar power generation and energy recovery due to its high efficiency, high reliability, and capability of utilizing low-grade heat. An equivalent acoustic circuit of a linear alternator is first built and analyzed using electro–mechano-acoustical analogy. It is found that the acoustic coupling of the linear alternators to the traveling-wave thermoacoustic engine is crucial to the performance of the system. A traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with a variable electric R-C load is then constructed and experimentally studied. Both the theoretical analysis and the experimental results show the importance of mechanical and electrical resonances to the overall performance of the system. Furthermore, the thermal-to-electric efficiency and the electric power are found to be proportional to the pressure amplitude and the square of it in front of the piston of the linear alternator, respectively. By optimizing the load impedance, the traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator has achieved a maximum electric power of 345.3W with a thermal-to-electric efficiency of 9.34% and a maximum efficiency of 12.33% with an electric power of 321.8W at around 65Hz when helium of 3.0MPa is used as the working gas.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, D.M. & Wang, K. & Zhang, X.J. & Guo, Y.N. & Xu, Y. & Qiu, L.M., 2013. "A traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with a variable electric R-C load," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 377-382.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:106:y:2013:i:c:p:377-382
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.01.051
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261913000603
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.01.051?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu, Zhibin & Jaworski, Artur J. & Backhaus, Scott, 2012. "Travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator using an ultra-compliant alternator for utilization of low-grade thermal energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 135-145.
    2. Wu, Feng & Chen, Lingen & Li, Duanyong & Ding, Guozhong & Zhang, Chunping & Kan, Xuxian, 2009. "Thermodynamic performance on a thermo-acoustic micro-cycle under the condition of weak gas degeneracy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(7-8), pages 1119-1123, July.
    3. Piccolo, A., 2013. "Optimization of thermoacoustic refrigerators using second law analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 358-367.
    4. S. Backhaus & G. W. Swift, 1999. "A thermoacoustic Stirling heat engine," Nature, Nature, vol. 399(6734), pages 335-338, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Geng & Tang, Lihua & Mace, Brian & Yu, Zhibin, 2021. "Multi-physics coupling in thermoacoustic devices: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    2. Xiao, Lei & Luo, Kaiqi & Zhao, Dan & Chen, Geng & Bi, Tianjiao & Xu, Jingyuan & Luo, Ercang, 2023. "Time-domain acoustic-electrical analogy investigation on a high-power traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    3. Callanan, J. & Nouh, M., 2019. "Optimal thermoacoustic energy extraction via temporal phase control and traveling wave generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 599-612.
    4. Elhawary, M.A. & Ibrahim, Abdelmaged H. & Sabry, Ashraf S. & Abdel-Rahman, Ehab, 2020. "Experimental study of a small scale bi-directional axial impulse turbine for acoustic-to-mechanical power conversion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 414-426.
    5. Wu, Zhanghua & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2014. "Investigation on a 1kW traveling-wave thermoacoustic electrical generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 140-147.
    6. Al-Kayiem, Ali & Yu, Zhibin, 2016. "Numerical investigation of a looped-tube travelling-wave thermoacoustic engine with a bypass pipe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 111-120.
    7. Kang, Huifang & Cheng, Peng & Yu, Zhibin & Zheng, Hongfei, 2015. "A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with loudspeakers as alternators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 9-17.
    8. Wang, Kai & Dubey, Swapnil & Choo, Fook Hoong & Duan, Fei, 2017. "Thermoacoustic Stirling power generation from LNG cold energy and low-temperature waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 280-290.
    9. Bi, Tianjiao & Wu, Zhanghua & Chen, Wei & Zhang, Limin & Luo, Ercang & Zhang, Bin, 2022. "Numerical and experimental research on a high-power 4-stage looped travelling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    10. Wu, Zhanghua & Yu, Guoyao & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2014. "Development of a 3kW double-acting thermoacoustic Stirling electric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 866-872.
    11. Steiner, Thomas W. & Archibald, Geoffrey D.S., 2014. "A high pressure and high frequency diaphragm engine: Comparison of measured results with thermoacoustic predictions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 709-716.
    12. Wang, Kai & Sanders, Seth R. & Dubey, Swapnil & Choo, Fook Hoong & Duan, Fei, 2016. "Stirling cycle engines for recovering low and moderate temperature heat: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 89-108.
    13. Kisha, Wigdan & Riley, Paul & McKechnie, Jon & Hann, David, 2021. "Asymmetrically heated multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    14. Bi, Tianjiao & Wu, Zhanghua & Zhang, Limin & Yu, Guoyao & Luo, Ercang & Dai, Wei, 2017. "Development of a 5kW traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1355-1361.
    15. Wang, Kai & Sun, Daming & Zhang, Jie & Xu, Ya & Zou, Jiang & Wu, Ke & Qiu, Limin & Huang, Zhiyi, 2015. "Operating characteristics and performance improvements of a 500W traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 853-862.
    16. Jin, Tao & Huang, Jiale & Feng, Ye & Yang, Rui & Tang, Ke & Radebaugh, Ray, 2015. "Thermoacoustic prime movers and refrigerators: Thermally powered engines without moving components," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 828-853.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kang, Huifang & Cheng, Peng & Yu, Zhibin & Zheng, Hongfei, 2015. "A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with loudspeakers as alternators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 9-17.
    2. Jin, Tao & Huang, Jiale & Feng, Ye & Yang, Rui & Tang, Ke & Radebaugh, Ray, 2015. "Thermoacoustic prime movers and refrigerators: Thermally powered engines without moving components," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 828-853.
    3. Kisha, Wigdan & Riley, Paul & McKechnie, Jon & Hann, David, 2021. "Asymmetrically heated multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    4. Bi, Tianjiao & Wu, Zhanghua & Zhang, Limin & Yu, Guoyao & Luo, Ercang & Dai, Wei, 2017. "Development of a 5kW traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1355-1361.
    5. Tang, K. & Feng, Y. & Jin, S.H. & Jin, T. & Li, M., 2015. "Performance comparison of jet pumps with rectangular and circular tapered channels for a loop-structured traveling-wave thermoacoustic engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 305-313.
    6. Wang, Kai & Sanders, Seth R. & Dubey, Swapnil & Choo, Fook Hoong & Duan, Fei, 2016. "Stirling cycle engines for recovering low and moderate temperature heat: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 89-108.
    7. Zhao, He & Li, Guoneng & Zhao, Dan & Zhang, Zhiguo & Sun, Dakun & Yang, Wenming & Li, Shen & Lu, Zhengli & Zheng, Youqu, 2017. "Experimental study of equivalence ratio and fuel flow rate effects on nonlinear thermoacoustic instability in a swirl combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 123-131.
    8. Al-Kayiem, Ali & Yu, Zhibin, 2016. "Numerical investigation of a looped-tube travelling-wave thermoacoustic engine with a bypass pipe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 111-120.
    9. Jin, Tao & Yang, Rui & Wang, Yi & Liu, Yuanliang & Feng, Ye, 2016. "Phase adjustment analysis and performance of a looped thermoacoustic prime mover with compliance/resistance tube," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 290-298.
    10. Zhu, Shunmin & Wang, Tong & Jiang, Chao & Wu, Zhanghua & Yu, Guoyao & Hu, Jianying & Markides, Christos N. & Luo, Ercang, 2023. "Experimental and numerical study of a liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic generator for thermoacoustic power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    11. Wang, Kai & Dubey, Swapnil & Choo, Fook Hoong & Duan, Fei, 2017. "Thermoacoustic Stirling power generation from LNG cold energy and low-temperature waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 280-290.
    12. Napolitano, Marialuisa & Romano, Rosario & Dragonetti, Raffaele, 2017. "Open-cell foams for thermoacoustic applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 147-156.
    13. Chen, Geng & Tang, Lihua & Mace, Brian & Yu, Zhibin, 2021. "Multi-physics coupling in thermoacoustic devices: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    14. Wu, Zhanghua & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2014. "Investigation on a 1kW traveling-wave thermoacoustic electrical generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 140-147.
    15. Tavakolpour-Saleh, A.R. & Zare, Shahryar, 2021. "Justifying performance of thermo-acoustic Stirling engines based on a novel lumped mechanical model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    16. Yu, Guoyao & Wang, Xiaotao & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2013. "Study on energy conversion characteristics of a high frequency standing-wave thermoacoustic heat engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 1147-1151.
    17. Wang, Kai & Sun, Daming & Zhang, Jie & Xu, Ya & Zou, Jiang & Wu, Ke & Qiu, Limin & Huang, Zhiyi, 2015. "Operating characteristics and performance improvements of a 500W traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 853-862.
    18. Zhao, Dan & Li, Shihuai & Yang, Wenming & Zhang, Zhiguo, 2015. "Numerical investigation of the effect of distributed heat sources on heat-to-sound conversion in a T-shaped thermoacoustic system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 204-213.
    19. Christoph J.W. Kirmse & Oyeniyi A. Oyewunmi & Andrew J. Haslam & Christos N. Markides, 2016. "Comparison of a Novel Organic-Fluid Thermofluidic Heat Converter and an Organic Rankine Cycle Heat Engine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-26, June.
    20. Xu, Jingyuan & Hu, Jianying & Luo, Ercang & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei, 2019. "A cascade-looped thermoacoustic driven cryocooler with different-diameter resonance tubes. Part I: Theoretical analysis of thermodynamic performance and characteristics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 943-953.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:106:y:2013:i:c:p:377-382. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.