A sustainable solution for electricity generation using thermo-acoustic technology
- Authors: Machesa, M. G. K. , Tartibu, L. K. , Kallon, D. V.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Thermo-acoustic , Sound , Electricity
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/250750 , uj:26136 , Citation: Machesa, M.G.K., Tartibu, L.K. & Kallon, D.V. 2017. A sustainable solution for electricity generation using thermo-acoustic technology.
- Description: Abstract: This work explores the use of thermo-acoustic system as alternative technology for electricity generation. This technology is proposed as a potential replacement for low-cost electrical power generation because of its simplicity and lack of moving parts. Thermo-acoustic generators providing clean electrical energy to power small appliances. The energy conversion from heat into sound wave is done within thermo-acoustic engine. The latter is coupled to a linear alternator for electricity generation. The study investigates the influence of the geometrical configuration of the device on to the whole functionality of the generator. The paper studies the technology through experimental trails performed using a simple arrangement to simulate the generator. The experiment is conducted in phases; the first phase identifies the best geometrical configuration of the thermo-acoustic engine by measuring the sound pressure level and the temperatures. The second phase consist of measuring the electricity generated using a Loudspeaker. The results obtained show the potential for this sustainable solution for electricity generation.
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Development and performance evaluation of a single stage travelling-wave thermo-acoustic generator
- Authors: Shamase, Halalisani , Spambo, Samkelo , Ngcukayitobi, Miniyenkosi , Tartibu, Lagouge , Bokoro, Pitchou
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Thermo-acoustic , Travelling-wave , Design
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401862 , uj:33605 , Citation: Shamase, H. et al. 2019. Development and performance evaluation of a single stage travelling-wave thermo-acoustic generator.
- Description: Abstract: Thermo-acoustic systems are being considered as a potential solution for electricity generation. This work describes the construction of a single stage travelling-wave thermo-acoustic generator. Secondly, an experimental investigation into the effect of the heat source on the potential of the device for electricity generation is performed. The magnitude of the sound generated by the engine, the onset time and the magnitude of electricity generated by the linear alternator have been considered as performance indicators for the device developed. This paper provides clarity on the potential for thermo-acoustic system for sound-to-electricity conversion. Clear trends showing the effect of inputs parameters on device performance have been disclosed. The minimum/maximum amount of heat that has produced a sound was 339/634oC corresponding to sound of 114.0/114.13 dB and a voltage of 278/319 mV. Although the efficiency of the sound-to-electricity conversion was low, this work proves the viability of thermo-acoustic as the alternative solution for electricity generation.
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Numerical analysis of the flow pathlines in thermo-acoustic couples
- Authors: Tartibu, L.K. , Kunene, T.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Thermo-acoustic , Heat transfer , Stack
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401870 , uj:33606 , Citation: Tartibu, L.K. & Kunene, T. 2019. Numerical analysis of the flow pathlines in thermo-acoustic couples.
- Description: Abstract: Thermo-acoustic systems use a high amplitude sound-wave for refrigeration or electricity generation without the drawbacks of expensive construction, adverse environmental impact or high maintenance cost. The effective conversion of energy occurs within the “stack” considered as the heart of the system. The time-averaged rate of heat transfer across the edges of the stack is a good indicator of an effective performance. Hence, studying the effect of the geometry of the stack edges together with their locations is useful. Furthermore, current manufacturing practices make it possible to develop diverse stack edges, resulting in an improved efficiency of the heat transfer. For effective modelling of the heat transfer rate, a second-order, double-precision discretization of state variables and a laminar viscous model was used. A numerical model was developed using the commercial code FLUENT. The evolution of the flow vortices at different drive ratio was analyzed. Two edges shapes were considered namely rectangular and rounded edges. Using numerical analysis, this study has pointed out that stack edge profiles has a significant effect on the overall performance of thermo-acoustic systems. Rounding the stack edge profile appears to be beneficial for the system performance. This study point out the link between the non-linearity observed in thermo-acoustic systems, the flow streaming and the mean vorticity at the stack edges.
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Performance alteration of standing-wave thermoacoustically-driven engine through resonator length adjustment
- Authors: Balonji, S. , Alcock, A.C. , Tartibu, L.K. , Jen, T.C
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Thermo-acoustic , Sound-wave , DELTAEC
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401878 , uj:33607 , Citation: Balonji, S. et al. 2019. Performance alteration of standing-wave thermoacoustically-driven engine through resonator length adjustment.
- Description: Abstract: The production of sound-wave in thermo-acoustic device is necessary to induce cooling or generate electricity. The magnitude of the sound-wave is normally proportional to the amount of heat provided to the device. The possibility to use waste heat in any locations can be enough to justify the use of thermo-acoustic technology for sustainable electricity generation or refrigeration. In this work, an adjustable thermoacoustically-driven engine has been developed using the Design Environment for Low-amplitude ThermoAcoustic Energy Conversion (DELTAEC). Many studies have highlighted the relationship between the geometry of the stack and the performance of the device. Unlike previous studies, the resonator of this thermoacoustically-driven device, made of two portions, was adjusted. The performance of the device has been analysed in order to evaluate the influence of the alteration of the resonator on the heat-to-sound conversion. Performance indicators like the acoustic power, the temperature difference across the stack and the frequency of the sound-wave have been studied. This work point out the possibility to regulate the performance of thermo-acoustic engine by adjusting the geometry of the resonator.
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Performance evaluation of ceramic substrates for cooling applications in thermo-acoustic refrigerators
- Authors: Balonji, S. , Tartibu, L. K. , Jen, T. C.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Thermo-acoustic , DeltaEc , Ceramic substrate
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/223689 , uj:22500 , Citation: Balonji, S., Tartibu, L.K. & Jen, T.C. 2016. Performance evaluation of ceramic substrates for cooling applications in thermo-acoustic refrigerators. International Conference on Sustainable Materials Processing and Manufacturing, SMPM 2017, 23-25 January 2017, Kruger National Park. DOI: 10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.035. , ISSN: 2351-9789
- Description: Abstract: Thermo-acoustic refrigerators have recently drawn more attentions because of its eco-friendlier potential to address the current environmental issues resulting from the use of traditional vapour compression refrigerators. This paper aims at evaluating different selected ceramic substrates, with square pores, from the point of view of their performance as stack materials in the design of thermo-acoustic standing wave refrigerators. A 465 mm standing wave thermo-acoustic refrigerator was designed using numerical approximation provided by a modeling code called DELTAEC (Design Environment for Low-amplitude ThermoAcoustic Energy Conversion). The design developed focuses, in particular, on the effects of different ceramic substrate configurations (diameter, length, porosity and position) on the performance of the device. Meaningful comparison on the effect of the ceramic substrates configuration is provided in order to assess the performance of the device. Guidance on the identification and the selection of the best geometrical configurations of ceramic substrates are the main contributions of this work.
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