Thermal-relaxation dissipation in thermoacoustic systems

Pressure oscillations in a sound wave are accompanied by temperature oscillations. In the presence of a solid boundary, the heat transfer from the oscillating gas to the solid boundary causes dissipation of the acoustic energy. This results in the attenuation of the sound wave. This thermal-relaxation dissipation process has a negative effect on the performance of thermoacoustic heat pumps and engines. A simple analytical model describing the interaction between an acoustic wave and a solid boundary is presented. The effect of the solid material and gas type on thermal-relaxation dissipation is analysed. The main result of this model is that the choice of a solid material with the smallest possible heat capacity per unit area in combination with a gas with the largest possible heat capacity per unit area minimises the thermal-relaxation dissipation. From the different combinations solid-gas used in the calculations, the combination cork-helium leads to the lowest thermal attenuation of the sound wave. In this case, the heat transfer from the gas to the wall less damps the temperature oscillations. However, because of the porosity of cork that may cause some problems, it is suggested that the combination polyester-helium can be used in practice to minimise the thermal-relaxation losses.     

Dependence of particle volume fraction on sound velocity and attenuation of EPDM composites

The sound velocity and the attenuation coefficient of EPDM (Ethylene-propylene Diene Monomer) composites incorporated with Silicon Carbide particles (SiCp’s) of various volume fractions (0-40%) were experimentally and theoretically investigated. For the experiment a through-transmission technique was used. For the theoretical prediction, some mechanical property models such as Reuss model and Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) model etc. were employed. The experimental results showed that the sound velocity decreased with the increase of the SiCp volume fraction up to 30% and then increased with the 40 vol% specimen. The attenuation coefficient was increased with the increasing SiCp volume fractions. The modified Reuss model with a longitudinal elastic modulus predicted most well the experimental sound velocity and elastic modulus results.     

稠密可压缩气粒两相流动中的等熵声速计算建模及物理规律

气体相与颗粒相混合流场的声速研究, 由于具有重要的基础理论价值与广泛的工程应用背景, 逐渐受到人们重视. 针对稠密可压缩气粒两相流动, 综合考虑颗粒相所占空间体积以及颗粒间相互作用, 推导给出了新的等熵声速计算公式; 新公式包含了已有的纯气体、稀疏气粒两相流情形的计算公式作为其特例, 一方面验证了公式推导的正确性, 另一方面说明新公式更具有通用性; 分析了不同颗粒质量分数条件下的声速变化规律, 相应结果与普朗特的理论分析符合, 特别对于稠密气粒两相流动工况得到了一些新的物理认识; 开展了颗粒间相互作用建模参数的物理分析, 揭示了其对气粒两相流动声速的影响机理. 本文取得的成果为稠密可压缩气粒两相流动研究以及相关工程应用提供理论支撑.     

Analysis of sound attenuation in a duct with a solid or porous splitter

The equivalent singularity method is developed for the analysis of sound propagation in a duct with a thin solid or point-reacting porous splitter of a finite streamwise length. The method consists in representing the splitter by a singular plane of pressure dipoles and mass sources, distributions of which are determined so that the boundary condition at the splitter surfaces is satisfied. The boundary condition is expressed in terms of two admittance parameters giving relations between pressures and normal displacements of fluid particles at the upper and lower surfaces of the splitter. Computed results are presented to illustrate the dependence of the sound power transmitted through the splitter section on the acoustic properties, length and location of the splitter and the flow Mach number. A principal cause of the sound attenuation due to a splitter is found to be the conversion of the acoustic energy into the wake vortex energy convected downstream. A solid splitter or a porous splitter of small admittance shows tuning effects—with a peak or multiple peaks in the attenuation spectrum. The tuning frequencies can be controlled by the splitter location.     

Extraction of biologic particles by pumping effect in a pi-shaped ultrasonic actuator

This paper presents a new method of extracting biologic particles from a mixture of particles. The method is based on the pumping effect in a π-shaped ultrasonic actuator, which has a gap between its two vibrating metal plates. An adhesive tape is placed at a proper position in the gap. Due to the pumping effect which is induced by the sound field in the gap, the particles with smaller mass and radius in the mixture can be pumped up to reach the adhesive tape; while the ones with larger mass cannot. Therefore, the particles with smaller mass and radius can be extracted from the mixture. A theoretical model which can well explain the operation principle and experimental phenomena is developed. By the experimental results and the theoretical analyses based on the model, the validity of the method in extracting small particles from a mixture of solid particles in air is confirmed, and the effects of the actuator’s vibration, adhesive tape height, contents of the mixture and viscosity of fluid on the extraction are clarified. Also, it is theoretically predicted that the method will work under the microgravity condition in air.     

Analysis of ultrasonic attenuation in particle-reinforced plastics by a differential scheme

Attenuation of ultrasonic longitudinal waves in some particle-reinforced polymer composites is studied theoretically by a micromechanical model based on a differential (incremental) scheme. A set of differential equations is established by which the attenuation spectrum of the composite can be computed from the known properties of viscoelastic matrix and elastic particles. For a composite reinforced with glass particles with radius 0.15 mm, the proposed scheme is shown to predict the attenuation in better agreement with the foregoing experimental results than the previous simplistic independent scattering model. Based on this scheme, the dependence of the longitudinal attenuation spectrum of a particulate polymer composite on the wavelength-to-particle radius ratio and the particle volume fraction is examined in detail. It is then shown theoretically that the attenuation of the composite decreases monotonically with the particle volume fraction when the particle radius is sufficiently small compared to the incident wavelength, while it shows non-monotonic particle-fraction dependence when the ratio of the particle radius to the wavelength is larger. To examine this theoretical finding from an experimental point of view, the longitudinal attenuation in a glass-particle-reinforced polyester composite with particle radius 0.0225 mm is measured for different particle volume fractions. The measured attenuation characteristics are shown to support the qualitative features of the theoretical prediction.     

Analysis of ultrasonic attenuation in particle-reinforced plastics by a differential scheme

Attenuation of ultrasonic longitudinal waves in some particle-reinforced polymer composites is studied theoretically by a micromechanical model based on a differential (incremental) scheme. A set of differential equations is established by which the attenuation spectrum of the composite can be computed from the known properties of viscoelastic matrix and elastic particles. For a composite reinforced with glass particles with radius 0.15 mm, the proposed scheme is shown to predict the attenuation in better agreement with the foregoing experimental results than the previous simplistic independent scattering model. Based on this scheme, the dependence of the longitudinal attenuation spectrum of a particulate polymer composite on the wavelength-to-particle radius ratio and the particle volume fraction is examined in detail. It is then shown theoretically that the attenuation of the composite decreases monotonically with the particle volume fraction when the particle radius is sufficiently small compared to the incident wavelength, while it shows non-monotonic particle-fraction dependence when the ratio of the particle radius to the wavelength is larger. To examine this theoretical finding from an experimental point of view, the longitudinal attenuation in a glass-particle-reinforced polyester composite with particle radius 0.0225 mm is measured for different particle volume fractions. The measured attenuation characteristics are shown to support the qualitative features of the theoretical prediction.     

Sound field prediction in long enclosures with branches: A combined method

The propagation of sound in long enclosures with branches has been studied theoretically and experimentally, and an efficient combined method is proposed to predict the sound field in long enclosures with branches. Based on the wave-acoustics theory, the theoretical analysis of the sound field of the long enclosures with branches is performed. This paper also investigated the sound field prediction of long enclosures with branches, by using the acoustic modeling program, ODEON. The results obtained by the theoretical analysis and the numerical simulation ODEON are compared with the experimental measurements, and the characteristics of the two methods for predicting the sound field of long enclosures with branches are analyzed. Compared with the experimental results, it is found that: (1) the results predicted by the theoretical analysis fluctuate relatively large with respect to the source-receiver distance, and the sound pressure level (SPL) attenuation obtained is smaller than that measured; and (2) the results predicted by the numerical simulation is smoother, and the calculated SPL attenuation is larger than that measured. To effectively predict the sound field of long enclosures with branches, a combined numerical method is thus proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed combined method is demonstrated by the scale-model experiments.     

Cu/PMMA复合材料的声速与冲击响应行为

基于熔融共混法,制备了一系列不同配比且随机分散的Cu/PMMA复合材料,重点研究了Cu颗粒含量对PMMA基体声速与冲击压缩行为的影响。超声测试结果表明,随着Cu颗粒含量的增加,声波的衰减使材料的横、纵波声速皆呈缓慢下降趋势,由此使体积声速亦呈减小趋势。基于平板撞击实验,获得了冲击压力在1.1~6.0 GPa范围内各复合材料的冲击波速度-粒子速度方程。Cu/PMMA复合材料声阻抗的升高使Hugoniot参数λ逐渐增大,而零压体积声速减小,与常压体积声速所表现出的变化趋势一致。结合已有的压力-粒子速度关系模型,对各材料的压力-粒子速度曲线进行了讨论。在此基础上,归纳出一种基于上述模型的用于预测金属粒子填充聚合物基复合材料压力-密度关系的可靠方法。     

有黏条件气泡声散射特性和衰减谱数值研究*

通过研究有黏条件下的气泡散射模型,数值分析水中单气泡声散射特性,进一步结合Beer-Lambert定律将其扩展到多气泡体系的声衰减预测。数值结果表明,随着谐波阶数递增,散射强度分布数值结果趋于稳定且前向散射增强。同时发现,无因次尺寸参量ka=0.1为过渡区与纯散射区的分界线,且在共振区间具有明显的吸收效应。对多气泡体系的声衰减预测也表明,ka 0.1时,该文气泡散射模型声衰减计算与经典ECAH模型结果吻合,在低浓度条件下声衰减谱随着剪切黏度的增加呈增宽趋势,且与体积浓度成正比例递增。模型预测的声衰减随粒径、声波频率、体积浓度分布数值特征能够为颗粒两相体系粒径及浓度表征提供理论依据。     

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE SOUND FIELDS IN URBAN STREETS WITH DIFFUSELY REFLECTING BOUNDARIES

A radiosity-based theoretical/computer model has been developed to study the fundamental characteristics of the sound fields in urban streets resulting from diffusely reflecting boundaries, and to investigate the effectiveness of architectural changes and urban design options on noise reduction. Comparison between the theoretical prediction and the measurement in a scale model of an urban street shows very good agreement. Computations using the model in hypothetical rectangular streets demonstrate that though the boundaries are diffusely reflective, the sound attenuation along the length is significant, typically at 20-30 dB/100 m. The sound distribution in a cross-section is generally even unless the cross-section is very close to the source. In terms of the effectiveness of architectural changes and urban design options, it has been shown that over 2-4 dB extra attenuation can be obtained either by increasing boundary absorption evenly or by adding absorbent patches on the façades or the ground. Reducing building height has a similar effect. A gap between buildings can provide about 2-3 dB extra sound attenuation, especially in the vicinity of the gap. The effectiveness of air absorption on increasing sound attenuation along the length could be 3-9 dB at high frequencies. If a treatment is effective with a single source, it is also effective with multiple sources. In addition, it has been demonstrated that if the façades in a street are diffusely reflective, the sound field of the street does not change significantly whether the ground is diffusely or geometrically reflective.     

Ultrasound assisted extraction and decomposition of Cl-containing herbicide involved in model soil

This work focused on ultrasound assisted extraction and decomposition of MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) acetic acid] from model soil under argon atmosphere. In the experiments, 10 g model soil containing 1.75 x 10(-5) mol MCPA mixed with 90 g of de-aired water was used. For a comparison, the experiments were also carried out using MCPA aqueous solution of which the concentration was adjusted to 1.75 x 10(-4) mol/l. The results showed that complete MCPA decomposition was achieved after 120 min in the case of MCPA aqueous solution. Meanwhile, in the case of model soil, the MCPA decomposition ratio of 0.9 was obtained after 600 min. This result was attributed to combined effect of MCPA adsorption on kaolin and to attenuation of ultrasound by solid particles of kaolin. To evaluate ultrasound attenuation in the presence of solid particles, experiments with slurry consisting of alumina particles and MCPA solution were carried out at alumina particles concentration range of 0.1-100g/l. The results showed that the MCPA initial decomposition rate significantly decreased with an increase in alumina particles concentration. Thus, it was concluded that the solid particles reduced the MCPA decomposition ratio by reducing the formation of reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals which are know to be necessary for MCPA decomposition.     

混合弹性颗粒体系声衰减数值模拟

采用概率统计方法——蒙特卡罗方法,建立一种预测液固两相体系中混合弹性球形颗粒声衰减的理论模型。在单颗粒声散射和吸收的基础上,将连续超声波抽象离散化为大量独立的声子,追踪声散射过程,通过统计接收器探测声子数最终确定声衰减系数。采用数值方法对单一球形颗粒的液固两相体系中声衰减进行预测和比较,确定了该方法的可行性后将该方法推广到混合颗粒体系中,对玻璃微珠/铁粉构成的混合颗粒及多分散混合颗粒体系进行数值研究。结果表明:在体积浓度低于10%时,蒙特卡罗法预测得玻璃微珠或铁粉颗粒声衰减和ECAH,Lloyd和Berry,Waterman等建立的模型结果吻合。对于混合颗粒构成的两相体系,算例中,随着体积浓度增大到10%,声衰减系数随混合颗粒数目比的变化呈现出了非线性的变化,同时颗粒物性也会影响不同组分颗粒对声衰减的贡献,算例中铁粉颗粒比玻璃微珠对声衰减的影响更大。      

含少量气泡流体饱和孔隙介质中的弹性波

考虑孔隙流体中含有少量气泡,且气泡在声波作用下线性振动,研究声波在这种孔隙介质中的传播特性.本文先由流体质量守恒方程和孔隙度微分与流体压力微分的关系推导出了含有气泡形式的渗流连续性方程;在处理渗流连续性方程中的气体体积分数时间导数时,应用Commander气泡线性振动理论导出气体体积分数时间导数与流体压强时间导数的关系,进而得到了修正的Biot形式的渗流连续性方程;最后结合Biot动力学方程求得了含气泡形式的位移场方程,便可得到两类纵波及一类横波的声学特性.通过对快、慢纵波的频散、衰减及两类波引起的流体位移与固体位移关系的考察,发现少量气泡的存在对快纵波和慢纵波的传播特性影响较大.     

A model for the vertical sound speed and absorption profiles in Titan's atmosphere based on Cassini-Huygens data

Measurements of thermodynamic quantities in Titan's atmosphere during the descent of Huygens in 2005 are used to predict the vertical profiles for the speed and intrinsic attenuation (or absorption) of sound. The calculations are done using one author's previous model modified to accommodate non-ideal equations of state. The vertical temperature profile places the tropopause about 40 km above the surface. In the model, a binary nitrogen-methane composition is assumed for Titan's atmosphere, quantified by the methane fraction measured by the gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GCMS) onboard Huygens. To more accurately constrain the acoustic wave number, the variation of thermophysical properties (specific heats, viscosity, and thermal conductivity) with altitude is included via data extracted from the NIST Chemistry WebBook [URL webbook.nist.gov, National Institute of Standards and Technology Chemistry WebBook (Last accessed 10/20/2011)]. The predicted speed of sound profile fits well inside the spread of the data recorded by Huygens' active acoustic sensor. In the N(2)-dominated atmosphere, the sound waves have negligible relaxational dispersion and mostly classical (thermo-viscous) absorption. The cold and dense environment of Titan can sustain acoustic waves over large distances with relatively small transmission losses, as evidenced by the small absorption. A ray-tracing program is used to assess the bounds imposed by the zonal wind-measured by the Doppler Wind Experiment on Huygens-on long-range propagation.     

Reliability of sound attenuation in Florida scrub habitat and behavioral implications

Attenuation over distance in natural habitat is often difficult to predict when measured without respect to sound frequency. The physical-acoustic structure of Florida scrub habitat is described and both attenuation and reliability of attenuation are measured as a function of sound frequency, over several distances, speaker elevations, and microphone elevations. The spatial context of sound propagation in Florida scrub habitat is discussed and a model designed to describe contributions to overall attenuation from individual factors is presented. Sound frequencies below approximately 3.5 kHz attenuate more reliably than higher sound frequencies, suggesting that animals should pay greatest attention to relatively low sound frequencies when they assess attenuation or estimate sound-pressure level.     

Sound wave attenuation in foam

Experimental measurements are presented for sound wave attenuation in foam without additives (standing wave method) and in foam with added particles (pulse method). A setup is developed that makes it possible to obtain a standing sound wave in stable foam and estimate the attenuation coefficient. A comparison is made of the coefficients of sound attenuation in foam in the sonic and ultrasonic frequency ranges, which have been published in a number of works. It is shown that the introduction of particles into foam leads to an increase in sound wave attenuation and may be the result of the viscous mechanism of sound wave energy loss.     

A chart for estimating the distance attenuation of flanking sound passing through open windows in the exterior wall of adjoining rooms and its experimental verification

Sound transmission between adjoining rooms is often influenced by a flanking sound passing through open windows placed in the exterior wall of the two rooms. It is important to predict such flanking sound propagation when considering the sound insulation between the adjoining rooms. In this paper, a chart for estimating the distance attenuation of the flanking sound, which is obtained from analysis using the boundary integral equation method, is first provided. Next, 1:10 scale model experiments are carried out. The experimental results are in good agreement with the chart, the effectiveness of the chart thus being verified.