A multi-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustically-driven refrigeration system operating at liquefied natural gas temperature

[摘要] This study proposes a multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustically refrigeration system (TAD-RS) operating at liquefied natural gas temperature, which consists of two thermoacoustic engines (TAE) and one thermoacoustic refrigerator (TAR) in a closed-loop configuration. Three thermoacoustic units connect each other through a resonance tube of small cross-sectional area, achieving "self-matching" for efficient thermoacoustic conversion. Based on the linear thermoacoustic theory, a model of the proposed system has been built by using DeltaEC program to show the acoustic field characteristics and performance. It is shown that with pressurized 5 MPa helium as working gas, the TAEs are able to build a stable and strong acoustic field with a frequency of about 85 Hz. When hot end temperature reaches 923 K, this system can provide about 1410 W cooling power at 110 K with an overall exergy efficiency of 15.5%. This study indicates a great application prospect of TAD-RS in the field of natural gas liquefaction with a large cooling capacity and simple structure.

[发布机构] Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China^1

[效力级别] 物理学 [学科分类] 材料科学（综合）

[关键词] Application prospect;Closed loop configuration;Cross sectional area;Exergy efficiencies;Natural gas liquefaction;Refrigeration system;Simple structures;Thermoacoustic refrigerators