Experimental and computational visualization of the flow field in a thermoacoustic stackVisualisation expérimentale et numérique du champ de vitesse dans un réfrigérateur thermoacoustique

The oscillating flow field in a thermoacoustic stack is visualized experimentally using PIV measurements, and computationally using results of low-Mach-number simulations. The experiments and computations are performed under similar conditions. Results are obtained for two distinct configurations, involving thin and thick stack plates. In the first case, the flow field around the edge of the stack exhibits elongated vorticity layers, while in the latter it is dominated by the shedding and impingement of concentrated vortices. A close agreement between experimental and computational results is found, thus providing strong support for both approaches and further predictions. To cite this article: P. Blanc-Benon et al., C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

热声驱动系统中的压力测量

介绍了自制的用于热声驱动脉管制冷装置的计算机压力波数据采集系统。该系统由硅压电压力传感器、数据采集卡、PC机和基于 Labview软件的图形化用户界面 GUI( Graphical User In-terface)组成。试验证明 ,它具有结构简单、高效精确、操作简便等特点 ,在捕捉被测系统内的动态压力变化方面具有优势 ,不但能很好地满足热声驱动器的压力测量要求 ,而且亦可移植到任何类似的测量气体压力的场合     

Hysteretic behavior induced by an electroacoustic feedback loop in a thermo-acousto-electric generator

An active control method of the spatial distribution of the acoustic field is applied in a thermo-acousto-electric generator. An auxiliary acoustic source is used to force the self-sustained thermoacoustic oscillation in order to control the thermoacoustic amplification. The auxiliary source consists of a loudspeaker, located inside the loop-tube close to the main ambient heat exchanger, and supplied with a delayed signal through an electric feedback loop, comprising a phase-shifter and an amplifier, connected to a reference microphone. Experiments are performed on a prototype engine working with air at a static gauge pressure of 5 bars. Experimental results demonstrate how it is possible to tune the acoustic oscillations in order to increase the global performance of the generator, compared to the case without control, as well as the existence of a hysteretic behavior induced by the electroacoustic feedback loop itself, which leads to a discrepancy between the onset heat input and the offset one.     

Thermoelectric power generation in a thermoacoustic refrigerator

Commercially available solid-state thermoelectric devices may be used for their electrical power generation capabilities when coupled to a thermoacoustic refrigerator or heat pump. General performance characteristics as well as bulk thermal conductivity for a selection of thermoelectric elements was first found by using a two-plate apparatus to maintain a constant temperature difference across the element. Further studies of an element’s performance when placed in series with the thermoacoustic refrigerator’s heat exchangers will be presented. Design considerations for using thermoelectric elements in a no-moving parts electrical power generation scheme will be discussed.     

Optimal acoustic fields in compact thermoacoustic refrigerators

Thermoacoustic refrigerators have been developed during the last 15 years, employing quasi-standing resonant acoustic waves inside fluid-filled cavities to transfer heat along a stack region. Because higher efficiency can be reached when a significant travelling wave component exists in the resonator, specific resonant thermoacoustic devices have been designed allowing to adjust more or less the ratio of travelling and standing wave components. However, the acoustic pressure field and the particle velocity field do not appear to be the optimal ones, for the thermal quantities of interest. Thus, it is the aim of the paper to present a new kind of thermoacoustic standing wave-like device which allows to control easily and independently the pressure field and the particle velocity field, after investigating the optimal acoustic field, in the stack region, for the main parameters of interest, i.e. the temperature gradient, the thermoacoustic heat flow and the coefficient of performance.     

热声驱动器谐振频率影响因素分析

分析了结构参数、操作参数以及工质等因素对热声驱动器谐振频率的影响 ,并结合驻波型热声驱动器 ,给出了相应的计算结果和实验数据。     

Computation of the mean velocity field above a stack plate in a thermoacoustic refrigeratorSimulation numérique de la vitesse moyenne près d'une plaque de l'empilement d'un réfrigérateur thermoacoustique.

A numerical simulation of the unsteady flow above one stack plate in a thermoacoustic refrigerator was performed. The second order mean velocity field was computed. Two regions could be distinguished. In the first region, located at the plate extremities, the mean flow is essentially vortical and results from the resonator/plate transition. In the second region, located above the plate, the mean velocity field corresponds to a streaming flow which results from the interaction of the acoustic wave with the plate boundaries. The effects of stack plates spacing on the streaming flow pattern is studied. To cite this article: D. Marx, Ph. Blanc-Benon, C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).     

A passive network model for large diameter thermoacoustic tube systems and its experimental verification

Linear thermoacoustic theory is currently well accepted for simulating thermoacoustic systems, and correction is used to reduce the discrepancy between calculations and experimental results for turbulent flow. In order to calculate passive tube systems and make linear thermoacoustic theory coincide closely with experiments, a passive network model based on fluid network theory is derived. An amendment method is proposed to further correct for turbulence by amending thermal and viscous penetration depths when the ratio of the tube radius to the viscous penetration depth R/δ_v is large. The experiments have been done to verify the model in the acoustic amplifier, Helmholtz resonator, and inertance tube. In addition, the mechanisms of such tubes are further analyzed based on the model.     

工作压力对热声驱动阻容负载性能影响的实验研究

进行了热声发动机驱动阻容负载的实验研究;讨论了工作压力对热声驱动阻容负载性能的影响。随着平均工作压力的增大,负载入口处压力振幅和输出的声功率都明显增大,同时板叠热端温度有较大幅度下降,有利于低品位热源的利用和提高系统相对卡诺效率。     

热声制冷的研究现状

本在介绍热声制冷各研究方向的基础上，对其发展现状进行了详细的综述，并对今后的发展进行了展望。