Marking a significant advancement in small and micro energy systems, researchers led by Guoyao Yu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new hybrid thermoacoustic generator (HTAEG) with gas springs at the rear position. This innovation is expected to produce extremely high power output and excellent efficiency, especially suitable for space nuclear power applications. This breakthrough is marked with Dr. Yanyan Chen, Mr. Yuanhang Chen, Dr. Jing Luo, Dr. Jing Luo, Dr. Yanlei Sun, Professor Ercang Luo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Shunmin Zhu of Durham University, marking the thermal acoustic technology. Their findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Reporting Physics Science.
Professor Yu’s team proposed and tested a hybrid thermoacoustic generator and placed a gas spring after displacement. This strategic positioning is critical to overcoming the limitations of traditional designs, which often maintain high power levels and efficiency at the same time. The new design achieves excellent power and high efficiency, demonstrating the potential of large-scale energy output.
Thermal acoustic generator (TAEGS) converts heat energy into acoustic energy, which is then converted into electrical energy. The hybrid version combines solid mass to adjust the internal sound field, with excellent power density and thermal to electrical efficiency. However, extending to higher power levels has been a huge challenge due to the limitations of the spring force mechanism.
New approaches to using post-gas springs effectively solve these challenges. Unlike traditional planar springs, gas springs provide higher levels of stiffness, which is essential to support the mass and size increase of the replacer in high-capacity HTAEGS. Furthermore, this design minimizes death and flow loss, thereby improving overall system efficiency.
Professor Yu explained the importance of this innovation: “The design of gas spring setting greatly reduces structural complexity and flow loss in the compressed space, resulting in higher efficiency and power output. The design is huge for a variety of applications. The potential of the space dynamics system, especially in space dynamics where reliability and efficiency are crucial.
Experimental evaluation confirmed the excellent performance of the prototype. The prototype achieves maximum power output and high efficiency under various input heating capabilities, demonstrating the versatility and robustness of the design.
These results represent the highest power levels reported by single-piston HTAEG and indicate great potential for future development. The researchers plan to further explore the operational characteristics of the design, including the development of a relative system with two such HTAEGS to mitigate system vibration.
Yu and colleagues’ innovative approaches not only enhance the field of thermal acoustic technology, but also open up new avenues for its application in space and other demanding environments. With the growing global demand for efficient and reliable power solutions, this breakthrough provides promising solutions to meet these needs.
Journal Reference
Chen, Yuanhang, Guoyao Yu, Yanyan Chen, Shunmin Zhu, Jing Luo, Yanlei Sun and Ercang Luo. “The gas spring behind the position enables ultra-high output power of hybrid thermoacoustic generators.” Cell Report Physics Science, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2024.101835
About the Author
Yuanhang Chen He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Institute of Technology in 2020. He currently has a Ph.D. Candidate from the Institute of Physics and Chemical Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on thermal and Sterling systems, especially hybrid thermal and acoustic generators. Yuanhang Chen ([email protected])
Giayu In 2003, he received his bachelor’s degree and a doctorate degree from Zhige University. Degree from the Institute of Technology and Chemical Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008. Currently, he is a complete professor at the Institute of Physics and Chemical Technology. His research focuses on thermal acoustic and Stirling systems, including refrigeration and power generation based on advanced thermal acoustic and Stirling technologies. guoyao yu ([email protected])
Yanyan Chen In 2003, she received her bachelor’s degree from Xiyajiang University and her doctorate degree. Degree from the Institute of Technology and Chemical Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008. She specializes in complex fluid and heat transfer analysis, engineering design and the development of cryostats such as thermoacoustic engines, bidirectional turbines, driven by thermoacoustic, non-functional turbines-Piston Stirl technology, and cryostats for temperature reference. Yanyan Chen ([email protected])
Dr. Shunmin Zhu He is a researcher at Marie Curie, engineering department at Durham University. He is also a member of Durham Energy College. Dr. Zhu received his Ph.D. His research interests include free internal/external combustion and free piston Stirl engines, thermal acoustic power generation technology, and hybrid renewable energy systems. Shunmin Zhu ([email protected])
