Design and Construction of a Four-Stage Travelling-Wave Thermo-Acoustic System for Power Generation

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miniyenkosi Ngcukayitobi ◽

Lagouge Tartibu ◽

Samuel Gqibani

Keyword(s):

Sound Wave ◽

Traveling Wave ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Waste Heat ◽

Acoustic Power ◽

Travelling Wave ◽

Low Grade ◽

Wave System ◽

Acoustic System ◽

Design And Construction

Abstract This work describes the design and construction of a four-stage traveling-wave thermo-acoustic system for electricity generation. The thermo-acoustic conversion consists of using a sound-wave for the transfer of heat from a low to high-temperature medium or the use of heat energy to generate a sound wave. Both the absence of moving parts and the simplicity of thermo-acoustic systems make the technology sustainable for converting low-grade waste heat into acoustic power. Many existing studies have pointed out the acoustic-to-electric potential of thermo-acoustic systems. Hence in this work, a thermo-acoustic system has been developed. The traveling-wave system has a total length of 3 560 mm. The distance between each thermo-acoustic engine is 640 mm. Each engine stage had four cartridge heaters used to generate the heat required. A commercial loudspeaker was used to convert sound into electricity. The minimum temperature difference necessary to induce a voltage at the terminals of the loudspeaker was approximately 200°C. The four-stage traveling-wave system generated the highest output voltage of 4.218 V.

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Review of travelling-wave thermoacoustic electric-generator technology

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part A Journal of Power and Energy ◽

10.1177/0957650918760627 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 232 (7) ◽

pp. 940-957 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carmen Iniesta ◽

José Luis Olazagoitia ◽

Jordi Vinolas ◽

Javier Aranceta

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Electric Power ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Travelling Wave ◽

Electric Generator ◽

Thermoacoustic Engines ◽

Stirling Engines ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Temperature Ranges ◽

Main Ideas

The proliferation of environmentally friendly electricity-generating technologies has fostered a growing interest in travelling-wave thermoacoustic electric-generator technology and its potential applications. Although reviews exist that focus generally on Stirling engines and thermoacoustic engines, no specific and complete review has addressed the generation of electrical energy through a thermoacoustic Stirling-like cycle engine (TA-SLiCE), which has undergone extensive development in recent years. The present review covers this gap and focuses on the analysis of electric power generation through the TA-SLiCE over different temperature ranges. Therefore, in this review, the general status of travelling-wave thermoacoustic energy generation and the evaluation of the TA-SLiCE types that represent current travelling-wave thermoacoustic generator technologies are presented. In addition, the agents involved in the development of this technology are reviewed, and selected examples of prototypes and promising products currently in a research and testing phase using this technology are presented. In closing the difficulties in this field, the novelties and current research are presented concluding with the main ideas and recommendations.

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Outline of the JSME Rules on Design and Construction for Thermal Power Generation Facilities

Pressure Vessel and Piping Codes and Standards ◽

10.1115/pvp2004-2691 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

Isoharu Nishiguchi ◽

Masaaki Fujita ◽

Seiichi Hamada

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Pressure Vessel ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Mechanical Equipment ◽

Thermal Power Generation ◽

Set Up ◽

Design And Construction

In order to develop and maintain the codes pertaining to mechanical equipment in the thermal facilities for power generation, the Subcommittee on Thermal Power was set up under the JSME Main Committee on Power Generation Facilities on October 1, 1997. The first edition of the JSME code for thermal power generation facilities was issued in January 2000, and its addenda was issued in April 2002. The latest 2003 edition was issued in January 2004. This paper presents an outline of the JSME Code including fundamental policy, the organization of the code, the relation with requirements of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ministerial Ordinance in Japan and comparison with ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes.

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Lessons learnt from design and construction of dams in Brazil

Journal of Nepal Geological Society ◽

10.3126/jngs.v22i0.32299 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Paulo Teixeira da Cruz

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Field Tests ◽

Residual Soils ◽

Shear Strength Parameters ◽

Strength Parameters ◽

Peculiar Behaviour ◽

History Of ◽

The Stability ◽

Design And Construction

This paper deals with design and construction of dams built in Brazil. A brief introduction on the history of these dams is followed by the main types of dams, that due to the environment, site topography, climate, foundation conditions and borrow materials, have been considered the most adequate and economical both for irrigation purposes or power generation. A second item deals with peculiar behaviour of the residual soils used as construction materials regarding flow aspects and construction pore pressures. The use of saprolitic soils is also discussed as well as of rock materials that disintegrate under drying and wetting cycles. The shear strength parameters of these materials obtained in laboratory and field tests are presented. The compressibility and the stability of the dams, and the measured flows through the foundations are reported.

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