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A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with loudspeakers as alternators

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  • Kang, Huifang
  • Cheng, Peng
  • Yu, Zhibin
  • Zheng, Hongfei

Abstract

This paper presents the design, construction and tests of a traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator. A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic engine converts thermal energy to acoustic power. Two low-impedance linear alternators (i.e., audio loudspeakers) were installed to extract and convert the engine’s acoustic power to electricity. The coupling mechanism between the thermoacoustic engine and alternators has been systematically studied numerically and experimentally, hence the optimal locations for installing the linear alternators were identified to maximize the electric power output and/or the thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency. A ball valve was used in the loop to partly correct the acoustic field that was altered by manufacturing errors. A prototype was built based on this new concept, which used pressurized helium at 1.8MPa as the working gas and operated at a frequency of about 171Hz. In the experiment, a maximum electric power of 204W when the hot end temperature of the two regenerators reaches 512°C and 452°C, respectively. A maximum thermal-to-electric efficiency of 3.43% was achieved when the hot end temperature of the two regenerators reaches 597°C and 511°C, respectively. The research results presented in this paper demonstrate that multi-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator has a great potential for developing inexpensive electric generators.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:137:y:2015:i:c:p:9-17
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.090
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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, 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.
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    5. 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.
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    Cited by:

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    3. 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.
    4. 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).
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    9. Hamood, Ahmed & Jaworski, Artur J. & Mao, Xiaoan & Simpson, Kevin, 2018. "Design and construction of a two-stage thermoacoustic electricity generator with push-pull linear alternator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 61-72.
    10. Abdoulla-Latiwish, Kalid O.A. & Mao, Xiaoan & Jaworski, Artur J., 2017. "Thermoacoustic micro-electricity generator for rural dwellings in developing countries driven by waste heat from cooking activities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 1107-1120.
    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. Augusto Montisci & Marco Caredda, 2021. "A Static Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Off-Grid Supply," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, August.
    13. 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).
    14. 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.
    15. Kisha, Wigdan & Riley, Paul & McKechnie, Jon & Hann, David, 2021. "Asymmetrically heated multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    16. 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.
    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. 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.

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