http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/69764/1/69764.pdf

Travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator using an ultra-compliant alternator for utilization of low-grade thermal energy

Thermoacoustic prime movers and refrigerators: Thermally powered engines without moving components

Recent advances and applications of solar photovoltaics and thermal technologies

A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with loudspeakers as alternators

Thermoacoustic engines convert heat energy into high amplitude acoustic waves and subsequently into electric power. This article provides a review of the four main methods to convert the (thermo)acoustic power into electricity. First, loudspeakers and linear alternators are discussed in a section on electromagnetic devices. This is followed by sections on piezoelectric transducers, magnetohydrodynamic generators, and bidirectional turbines. Each segment provides a literature review of the given technology for the field of thermoacoustics, focusing on possible configurations, operating characteristics, output performance, and analytical and numerical methods to study the devices. This information is used as an input to discuss the performance and feasibility of each method, and to identify challenges that should be overcome for a more successful implementation in thermoacoustic engines. The work is concluded by a comparison of the four technologies, concentrating on the possible areas of application, the conversion efficiency, maximum electrical power output and more generally the suggested focus for future work in the field.

Review on the conversion of thermoacoustic power into electricity

A method of characterising performance of audio loudspeakers for linear alternator applications in low-cost thermoacoustic electricity generators

Numerical study on the air-cooled thermal management of Lithium-ion battery pack for electrical vehicles

Rural communities in developing countries often require small cold storage for vital medicines while having no access to electricity. The utilization of waste heat – produced in biomass burning cookstoves during daily cooking routines – to power a thermoacoustic engine driving a thermoacoustic refrigerator is investigated. The simplicity and affordability is met by the use of atmospheric air as working medium, cheap PVC ducting for acoustic waveguides and locally available blacksmithing technologies for simple heat exchangers. This paper describes DeltaEC modelling, fabrication and experimental evaluation of a laboratory concept demonstrator. The travelling-wave, looped-tube engine/cooler configuration is powered by a propane gas burner to mimic cookstove flue gases. A matching stub is used to match the acoustic impedances of engine and cooler. The optimum location of the cooler is investigated experimentally. The device achieves the minimum temperature of −8.3 °C and up to 7 W of cooling power at a storage condition of +8 °C.

/pdf/thermoacoustic-cooler-to-meet-medical-storage-needs-of-rural-4dugxjoin0.pdf

Patcharin Saechan

Papers

A method of characterising performance of audio loudspeakers for linear alternator applications in low-cost thermoacoustic electricity generators

Numerical study on the air-cooled thermal management of Lithium-ion battery pack for electrical vehicles

Thermoacoustic cooler to meet medical storage needs of rural communities in developing countries

Numerical studies of co-axial travelling-wave thermoacoustic cooler powered by standing-wave thermoacoustic engine

Design and experimental evaluation of a travelling‐wave thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by a cascade thermoacoustic engine