Development of a multi-stage configuration for electricity generation using

thermo-acoustic approach

Africa & International Use of Energy (AIUE) Conference 2020

Authors affiliation: University of Johannesburg

Mr. Miniyenkosi Ngcukayitobi – First author

Mr. Samkelo Spambo

Mr. Halalisani Shamase

Prof. Lagouge Tartibu

Dr. Samuel Loyiso Gqibani

Outline
Introduction
Thermoacoustic Generator
Objective/Motivation
Approach
Design and Construction
Results and Conclusion

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Introduction Thermo-acoustic core
Thermo-acoustic is a branch of science
dealing with the interaction between
thermal and acoustic energies to induce
cooling or generate electricity.

Thermo-acoustic system is the unit that

converts heat energy into sound or
acoustic work.

Three arrangements for thermo-acoustic system

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Thermo-acoustic Generator - Application
• Thermo-acoustic generators convert the acoustic energy into electricity through the
use of an electro-acoustic device.
• These devices can be classified based on their geometry/wave type as follows:

Travelling Wave
Standing Wave

Thermo-acoustic
generator

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Motivation
• The reuse of low-grade waste heat, can reduce the consumption of
fossil fuel which contribution to global warming;
• Low-grade waste heat is generated through a process by way of
chemical reaction or fuel combustion;
• Waste heat can be converted into electricity

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Approach
Design and Construction
• The single-stage and multiple stage travelling-wave thermo-acoustic
system were constructed and tested to generate acoustic power.

Experimental investigation
• The effect of the geometrical configuration of the device concerning
acoustic-to-electricity conversion is analysed.

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Design and Construction Three-stage travelling-wave thermo-acoustic system

Hot heat exchanger

Cold heat exchanger

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Design and Construction
Parts of the cold heat exchanger

Honeycomb ceramic regenerator

Machining process

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 Experimental Investigation

Instrumentations & Testing

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Results and Conclusion
Generated voltage and onset time as a
Three stage configuration results function of input voltage

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Results and Conclusion
Frequency spectrum of the emitted sound

 Total length of the loop is 3 560

mm;
 Sound speed is 346 m/s;
 The theoretical frequency is 97 Hz.

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Results and Conclusion
Summary
Performance indicators measured:
• Onset temperatures difference, Onset time, input voltage, as well as the
Output voltage.

• The lowest temperature difference was 220.34oC with an output voltage of

2.362 V.

• Although the efficiency of the thermal to electrical power conversion was

low due to energy dissipation in the thermo-acoustic core, this work
demonstrates the potential of thermo-acoustic technology for electricity
generation.

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Acknowledgement

University
of
Johannesburg

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