Abstract
In this paper a simplified two-dimensional computational model for studying the entropy generation characteristics of thermoacoustic heat exchangers with plane fins is presented. The model integrates the equations of the standard linear thermoacoustic theory into an energy balance-based numerical calculus scheme. Relevant computation results are the spatial distribution of the time-averaged temperature, heat fluxes and entropy generation rates within a channel of a parallel-plate stack and adjoining heat exchangers. For a thermoacoustic device working in the refrigeration mode, this study evidences as a target refrigeration output level can be achieved selecting simultaneously the heat exchangers fin length and fin interspacing for minimum entropy generation and that the resulting configuration is a point of maximum coefficient of performance. The proposed methodology, when extended to other configurations, could be used as a viable design tool for heat exchangers in thermoacoustic applications.
Highlights
Thermoacoustic engines are a new class of energy conversion devices whose operation relies on the interaction between heat and sound in close proximity of solid surfaces, a phenomenon identified as the “thermoacoustic effect” [1,2]
The explicit expressions of these equations to be implemented in the model are obtained by substitution of the standard equations of the classical thermoacoustic theory for T1, vx1, Bvx1/By, vy1 and Bvy1/By inside a gas pore [1,7,8,9], where the longitudinal pressure gradient dp1/dx at the stack location is calculated by imposing the continuity of the volume flow rate at the entrance of the stack/heat exchangers (HXs) assembly through the equation: d p1 dx ρ0 ω p 1 ́ fνq BR v0 (10)
In the optimization procedure of the HXs a standing-wave thermoacoustic device working in the refrigeration mode is considered
Summary
Thermoacoustic engines are a new class of energy conversion devices (prime movers, refrigerators and heat pumps) whose operation relies on the interaction between heat and sound in close proximity of solid surfaces, a phenomenon identified as the “thermoacoustic effect” [1,2].
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