D Kameswara Rao & B Ramakrishna – Assistant Professors Department of Mechanical Engineering Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telagana, India.
Abstract
Thermo acoustic combine thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and acoustics to describe the
interactions that exist between heat and sound. Under the right conditions, these interactions can
be harnessed to design useful devices that convert heat into large amplitude sound waves and
vice-versa. A thermo acoustic engine turns part of the heat flowing through a temperature
gradient inside a porous solid into sound waves. The work in these sound waves can then be
harnessed with a piston to drive a flywheel or a linear alternator, or it can be used to transport
heat from a lower to a higher temperature reservoir in what is known as a thermoacoustic heat
pump or refrigerator. Two major advantages over conventional technologies: their inherent
mechanical simplicity and the use of environmentally friendly working gases. Despite these
qualities, most thermo acoustic engines, heat pumps and refrigerators built to this day were for
research purposes, and are seldom encountered in the industry. Design and assembly of thermo
acoustic engine to generate electricity using heat source, thermo acoustic engine prototype
intended for low temperature electricity generation.