Abstract
The performance of a working prototype, operated with and without water flow through the heat exchangers, was measured and found to be in reasonably close agreement to predictions from a simulation code, DELTAE, based on linear thermoacoustic theory. Further analysis and DELTAE simulations showed that the coefficient of performance may be significantly reduced when the stack temperature profile becomes non-linear, i.e. when the system is operated for a temperature span smaller than the optimal value for a given stack length. Guidelines to avoid this condition are provided.
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This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Yeon June Kang
Insu Paek received the B.S. in Mechatronics Engineering from Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, in 1997, and the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, USA, in 2000. He received the Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, USA, in 2005. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University and McGill University in 2006 and 2007. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Kangwon National University, Korea. His research activities are in thermoacoustic cooling, solar powered absorption cooling, and wind power generation.
Luc Mongeau received the B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Montreal, QC, Canada, in 1984 and 1986, respectively, and the Ph. D. in Acoustics from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA, in 1990. He is currently a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. He has published over 50 archival journal publications on various topics related to acoustics and noise control. His research activities are in the flow and turbomachinery noise areas, as well as in the areas of voice production, and thermoacoustic refrigeration.
James E. Braun received the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, USA, in 1976, and the M.S. and Ph. D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, in 1980 and 1988, respectively. He is currently a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. Professor Braun’s research combines the use of computer modeling, optimization, and experiments to study and improve the performance of thermal systems. He has published over 140 papers. Professor Braun is currently an associate editor for the international journal of HVAC&R Research.
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Paek, I., Mongeau, L. & Braun, J.E. Performance characterization of a small-capacity thermoacoustic cooler for air-conditioning applications. J Mech Sci Technol 24, 1781–1791 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0610-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0610-2