How to match an acoustical load to a thermoacoustic heat engine?

Abstract

The efficient operation of a thermoacoustic prime mover and its acoustic load depends on whether they match each other. In this paper, a numerical simulation of RC-type and RL-type acoustic loads driven by a traveling-wave thermoacoustic engine with constant heating temperature was carried out. It is found that the dependence of the output acoustic power and efficiency on the acoustic load is quite complicated and unique. There are several critical acoustic loads which can characterize the unique output performance of the acoustic heat engine. In addition, a trade-off between net acoustic power and thermal efficiency needs to be made. This work is helpful to provide guidance on how to design an efficiently loaded thermoacoustic engine.