Experimental Investigation on the Conversion between Heat and Power of the kW-class Thermoacoustic Engine

Abstract

This paper presents a novel experimental system of conversion between heat and power of the kW-class thermoacoustic engine, at both ends of the thermoacoustic core components the compression and expansion motors are added. By adjusting the parameters of motors like spring stiffness, moving mass, inductors and external resistors in order to easily and comprehensively adjust the pressure fluctuations, volume flow rate, acoustic field and phase angle in engine, we can better research on the performance of conversion between heat and power of thermoacoustic engine and impedance matching on motors and engine. It has important significance of improving working performance of thermoacoustic engine and optimal selection of parameters of compression and expansion motors.By optimizing the parameters of the compression and expansion motors, we get the maximum net acoustic power up to 1kW or more and the highest thermoacoustic efficiency of about 36%. When the phase differences between two ends of volume flow rate reach −120°, it can better fit the acoustic field of double-acting thermoacoustic engine in the loop with a good guiding value. In the future experimental studies, we can improve the net acoustic power and efficiency in order to adapt to different applications and research needs.