An aeroacoustically driven thermoacoustic heat pump

The mean flow of gas in a pipe past a cavity can excite the resonant acoustic modes of the cavity--much like blowing across the top of a bottle. The periodic shedding of vortices from the leading edge of the mouth of the cavity feeds energy into the acoustic modes which, in turn, affect the shedding of the next vortex. This so-called aeroacoustic whistle can excite very high amplitude acoustic standing waves within a cavity defined by coaxial side branches closed at their ends. The amplitude of these standing waves can easily be 20% of the ambient pressure at optimal gas flow rates and ambient pressures within the main pipe. A standing wave thermoacoustic heat pump is a device which utilizes the in-phase pressure and displacement oscillations to pump heat across a porous medium thereby establishing, or maintaining, a temperature gradient. Experimental results of a combined system of aeroacoustic sound source and a simple thermoacoustic stack will be presented.     

电动声源热声致冷机声学和计算实例

我们将各种热声致机简化为一包括声学终端在内的声管道系统，并通过实例讨论了致冷机的声学特性，该管道系统与一般声管道不同：１．在热声堆中热波和粘滞波不可不计。２．在热声堆与声管连接时，必需考虑合成波的体积流；而热声堆内只需考虑传播波的体积流。本文对此提出了阻抗连接条件的修正。实例使用电动扬声器为声源，给出了热声行波和驻波致冷的声学计算方法以及它们的声学特性，所用扬声器的标称伏安为１００ＶＡ，可为热声致     

热声热机声场的格子气分析

从格子气自动机演化方程恢复了宏观热声方程,采用D2Q9热格子气模型模拟热声热机系统的压力场、温度场和速度场,获得压力驻波的传播和反射过程。模拟结果显示,在所给模拟条件下压力波具有非线性的特征,变截面附近的流场区域会产生引起非线性耗散的涡流。本文也分析了谐振管几何尺寸及格子气粒子密度对系统频率和压力的影响,验证了热声热机格子气模型的有效性。     

热声发动机的格子气模拟

在传统的9-bit格子气模型中引入了温度区的概念,并应用于热声发动机的模拟研究.利用改进后的格子气模型,模拟了热声谐振管中的自激振荡和二维温度场的分布及温度随时间的演化过程,同时,对热声板叠的长度和在声场中的位置对声幅的影响也进行了数值研究,所得结果对板叠的优化设计是有价值的.通过对模拟和实验结果的比较,验证了热声机格子气模型的有效性,表明格子气方法适用于热声模拟.     

关于热声压缩机原理的讨论

回顾了驻波、行波热声机械的发展历史 ,分析了行波与驻波热声压缩机的优缺点。介绍行波驻波混合型热声压缩机的工作原理及结构 ,指出了今后研究的重点和方向。     

Compact standing wave thermoacoustic generator for power conversion applications

In the past decade, a variety of thermoacoustic engines (TAEs) were devised to convert thermal energy to acoustic power. In this paper, we optimized the design of a standing wave thermoacoustic generator that can provide high intensity acoustic pressure and convert it into electrical power output using a low cost alternator. Three prototypes of standing wave thermoacoustic generator (TAG) were designed to optimize the overall efficiency. The first prototype of standing wave TAG could produce an acoustic pressure of 0.9 kPa (153 dB) with an input thermal power of 210 W. Further, the maximum heat to electrical conversion efficiency was 0.045% with an input thermal power of 250 W. However, the performance of this system was not fully optimized. The performance of TAE depends upon various parameters including stack position, stack length and resonator length. Hence, a new second prototype of tunable TAG was developed to tune these critical parameters in order to improve the overall efficiency. A compact third prototype of TAG was successfully built with optimized parameters and has been tested. In the improved design, high intensity acoustic pressure of 2.9 kPa (163.5 dB) was observed for the same 210 W input thermal power. The maximum heat to electrical energy conversion efficiency was 0.084% with an input of 250 W which is 87% higher as compared to the first prototype. The major reason for the lower conversion efficiency is due to the low efficiency of the alternator. In future, high efficiency alternator designs can be employed along with careful impedance matching to obtain higher conversion efficiencies. The results described in this paper demonstrate the potential of developing compact portable acoustic power and electricity generators for decentralized power applications.     

Thermoacoustics with idealized heat exchangers and no stack

A model is developed for thermoacoustic devices that have neither stack nor regenerator. These "no-stack" devices have heat exchangers placed close together in an acoustic standing wave of sufficient amplitude to allow individual parcels of gas to enter both exchangers. The assumption of perfect heat transfer in the exchangers facilitates the construction of a simple model similar to the "moving parcel picture" that is used as a first approach to stack-based engines and refrigerators. The model no-stack cycle is shown to have potentially greater inviscid efficiency than a comparable stack model. However, losses from flow through the heat exchangers and on the walls of the enclosure are greater than those in a stack-based device due to the increased acoustic pressure amplitude. Estimates of these losses in refrigerators are used to compare the possible efficiencies of real refrigerators made with or without a stack. The model predicts that no-stack refrigerators can exceed stack-based refrigerators in efficiency, but only for particular enclosure geometries.     

气液耦合振动对热声发动机性能的影响

进行了气液耦合振动驻波型热声发动机定量模拟.重点比较分析了单纯气体振动系统和引入[EMIM][BF_4]室温离子液体作为液体活塞的气液耦合振动系统的运行参数,并考察了液体活塞的质量对热声发动机谐振频率、压力振幅以及板叠热端温度等的影响.     

双声源驱动热声系统声场调制研究

本文在回热器边界声场调制理论的基础上,考虑了两端换热器和谐振管变径的影响,推导出热声系统(谐振管和回热器)内声场与双声源复声压相关的声场调制关系式。理论和实验分析了双声源复声压对谐振管中的行波比率以及回热器中的声阻抗的调制,并给出通过复声压调制后的系统内声场分布图。对比结果表明该声场调制关系式的适用性,通过双声源复声压的调节,能调制出谐振管及回热器所期望的工作声场。     

热声热机热声核内传热与流动特性实验研究

本文通过搭建扬声器驱动的热声热机可视化实验台,利用粒子成像测速仪(PIV)和红外热像仪得到冷、热端换热器间速度及温度场分布,对有无声场两种情况下热声核中速度及温度场的变化进行了实验研究。实验结果表明,外加声场改变了热声核中热对流的基本模式,增强了冷热端换热器间的换热能力,对热声核中的温度分布有着显著的影响。揭示了热声核中的流动与换热规律。     

Condensation in a steady-flow thermoacoustic refrigerator

Condensation may occur in an open-flow thermoacoustic cooler with stack temperatures below the saturation temperature of the flowing gas. In the experimental device described here the flowing gas, which is also the acoustic medium, is humid air, so the device acts as a flow-through dehumidifier. The humid air stream flows through an acoustic resonator. Sound energy generated by electrodynamic drivers produces a high-amplitude standing wave inside of the resonator, which causes cooling on a thermoacoustic stack. Condensation of water occurs as the humid air passes through the stack and is cooled below its dew point, with the condensate appearing on the walls of the stack. The dry, cool air passes out of the resonator, while the condensate is wicked away from the end of the stack. Thermoacoustic heat pumping is strongly affected by the form of the condensate inside of the stack, whether condensed mostly on the stack plates, or largely in the form of droplets in the gas stream. Two simple models of the effect of the condensate are matched to a measured stack temperature profile; the results suggest that the thermoacoustic effect of droplets inside the stack is small.     

驻波声场中悬浮临界密度及稳定性研究

本文以声场中物体为研究对象,理论上得到行波和驻波场中的声辐射压力方程.在驻波声场中引入临界悬浮密度概念,可作为物体能否在非线性声场中悬浮的判据,同时给出谐振腔移动速度的最大范围.更进一步,以实验参数作为数值计算的输入来指导实验,并结合实验结果讨论了驻波声场中样品密度和大小、发射面和反射面形状以及两者之间的距离、反射面的尺寸等因素对物体悬浮稳定性的影响,发现当物体尺寸和密度确定时,调控好谐振腔的长度,增加波腹处的声压是提升声悬浮稳定性的有效手段.     

The use of ultrasonic standing waves to enhance optical particle sizing equipment

Fluid dynamics modelling augmented with routines to simulate acoustic forces on aerosol particles has been used to investigate the potential of combining ultrasonic standing wave fields with optical particle analysis equipment. Simulations of particle dynamics in airstreams incorporating acoustic forces predict that particles in the 1-10 microns diameter range may be effectively focused to the velocity nodes of the standing wave field. Particles move to the velocity nodes within tens of milliseconds for acoustic frequencies of 10-100 kHz and at an acoustic energy density of 100 Jm-3. Larger particles are predicted to move to the velocity antinodes within similar times; however, there is a crossover region at approximately 15-20 microns particle diameter where longer times are predicted due to the competing forces driving particles to the vibration node and antinode. With sufficient transverse flow velocities the models predict that disturbances due to acoustic streaming can be overcome and a useful degree of focusing achieved for the aerosol particles. Results from a model demonstrating sampling and acoustic focusing of 3-9 microns aerosol particles to a 200 microns wide analysis area are presented.     

声驻波场中空化泡的动力学特性

以水为工作介质, 考虑了液体的可压缩性, 研究了驻波声场中空化泡的运动特性, 模拟了驻波场中各位置处空化泡的运动状态以及相关参数对各位置处空化泡在主Bjerknes力作用下运动方向的影响. 结果表明: 驻波声场中, 空化泡的运动状态分为三个区域, 即在声压波腹附近空化泡做稳态空化, 在偏离波腹处空化泡做瞬态空化, 在声压波节附近, 空化泡在主Bjerknes 力作用下, 一直向声压波节处移动, 显示不发生空化现象; 驻波场中声压幅值增加有利于空化的发生, 但声压幅值增加到一定上限时, 压力波腹区域将排斥空化泡, 并驱赶空化泡向压力波节移动, 不利于空化现象的发生; 当声频率小于初始空化泡的共振频率时, 声频率越高, 由于主Bjerknes 力的作用将有更多的空化泡向声压波节移动, 不利于空化的发生, 尤其是驻波场液面的高度不应是声波波长的1/4; 当声频率一定时, 空化泡初始半径越大越有利于空化现象的发生, 但当空化泡的初始半径超过声频率的共振半径时, 由于主Bjerknes力的作用将有更多的空化泡向声压波节移动, 不利于空化的发生.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of onset characteristics of standing-wave thermoacoustic engines based on thermodynamic analysis

A simplified physical model for calculating the onset temperature ratio and the frequency of a standing wave thermoacoustic engine (SWTE) in the time domain is built based on thermodynamic analysis. Coefficients of transient pressure drop and heat transfer are first deduced from linear thermoacoustic theory. By numerical computation, the evolutions of the pressure amplitude and the spectrum characteristics during the onset process are presented. Furthermore, the effects of stack spacing, charge pressure, and resonator length on the onset temperature ratio and the frequency are calculated. Relatively good agreement between the computational and the experimental results has been achieved, which validates the model for calculating the onset characteristics.     

热扩散效应在热声分离中的作用机理

在充满二元混合气体的声波谐振管中,振荡的气体会在径向上建立振荡的温度梯度,径向的温度梯度会引起两种组分的分子沿着不同方向进行扩散,在这种热扩散效应和热声效应的共同作用下,声波能够把混合气体中的两种组分分别带向谐振腔的速度节点和压力节点,使得混合气体在声波传播方向上逐渐分离。为了研究热声分离过程的机理,本文对一个半波长的声波谐振管进行了二维的建模,并基于可压缩的SIMPLE算法,通过求解He-Ar混合气体的速度场、温度场和一种组分的浓度场,对谐振腔内的传热传质过程进行了详细的数值模拟研究。数值模拟结果与文献的理论计算值进行了比较,结果符合良好。随后,通过研究一个周期内径向上的温度、速度和Ar的摩尔分数分布,揭示了径向上的热扩散过程,以及中间气体与边界层内气体之间的热质交换过程,完整地解释了热声分离过程的发生机理。     

Stationary velocity and pressure gradients in a thermoacoustic stack.

The second-order time-averaged acoustics of a viscous, thermally conducting gas between closely spaced parallel plates is studied. The acoustic disturbance is studied by expanding the equations of fluid dynamics and heat transfer to second order in Mach number. The undisturbed state is allowed to have a nonzero temperature gradient. A set of coupled equations for the time-averaged pressure gradient, velocity, and temperature are obtained and solved. Particular attention is paid to the relation between the time-averaged mass flux and pressure gradient. An explicit expression is obtained relating the time-averaged pressure drop across a thermoacoustic stack to the time-averaged mass flux through the stack.     

Investigation of two-dimensional acoustic resonant modes in a particle separator

Within an acoustic standing wave particles experience acoustic radiation forces, a phenomenon which is exploited in particle or cell manipulation devices. When developing such devices, one-dimensional acoustic characteristics corresponding to the transducer(s) are typically of most importance and determine the primary radiation forces acting on the particles. However, radiation forces have also been observed to act in the lateral direction, perpendicular to the primary radiation force, forming striated patterns. These lateral forces are due to lateral variations in the acoustic field influenced by the geometry and materials used in the resonator. The ability to control them would present an advantage where their effect is either detrimental or beneficial to the particle manipulation process. The two-dimensional characteristics of an ultrasonic separator device have been modelled within a finite element analysis (FEA) package. The fluid chamber of the device, within which the standing wave is produced, has a width to height ratio of approximately 30:1 and it is across the height that a half-wavelength standing wave is produced to control particle movement. Two-dimensional modal analyses have calculated resonant frequencies which agree well with both the one-dimensional modelling of the device and experimentally measured frequencies. However, these two-dimensional analyses also reveal that these modes exhibit distinctive periodic variations in the acoustic pressure field across the width of the fluid chamber. Such variations lead to lateral radiation forces forming particle bands (striations) and are indicative of enclosure modes. The striation spacings predicted by the FEA simulations for several modes compare well with those measured experimentally for the ultrasonic particle separator device. It is also shown that device geometry and materials control enclosure modes and therefore the strength and characteristics of lateral radiation forces, suggesting the potential use of FEA in designing for the control of enclosure modes in similar particle manipulator devices.     

Nonperiodicity of the flow within the gap of a thermoacoustic couple at high amplitudes

The flow inside a thermoacoustic couple is investigated experimentally using particle image velocimetry. Measurements show the oscillation of the shear layers flowing out of a single stack, thus forming an asymmetric vortex street at high driving amplitudes. Development of vortices is also observed within the gap of a thermoacoustic couple. It causes the flow not to repeat from one acoustic period to another. The nonperiodicity of the flow will lead to unsteady heat transfer between the stack and heat exchangers and to the oscillation of the cooling load.     

Influence of stack geometry and resonator length on the performance of thermoacoustic engine

Thermoacoustic engines convert heat energy into high amplitude sound waves, which is used to drive thermoacoustic refrigerator or pulse tube cryocoolers by replacing the mechanical pistons such as compressors. The increasing interest in thermoacoustic technology is of its potentiality of no exotic materials, low cost and high reliability compared to vapor compression refrigeration systems. The experimental setup has been built based on the linear thermoacoustic model and some simple design parameters. The engines produce acoustic energy at the temperature difference of 325–450 K imposed along the stack of the system. This work illustrates the influence of stack parameters such as plate thickness (PT) and plate spacing (PS) with resonator length on the performance of thermoacoustic engine, which are measured in terms of onset temperature difference, resonance frequency and pressure amplitude using air as a working fluid. The results obtained from the experiments are in good agreement with the theoretical results from DeltaEc.