Design and Optimization of a Standing-Wave Thermoacoustic Refrigerator Using DELTAEC

Abstract

Thermoacoustic refrigeration is among the best alternatives to conventional refrigeration systems because of the use of inert gases for instance helium or air. On the contrary, refrigerants used in some conventional refrigeration systems are very harmful to the ozone layer and can contribute to global warming problems. In addition, in the event of their leakage, they cause harm to humans. Thermoacoustic technology can be described as a clean, renewable technology. The thermoacoustic refrigerator's main function is to utilize sound waves to create a cooling effect. The aim of this research is to design a standing wave thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by an acoustic driver using the simulation program DELTAEC to achieve high cooling capacity and improve the coefficient of performance. In addition, it discusses the design process. Besides that, the influence of significant stack and resonator parameters (inertance and compliance) is discussed in order to assist thermoacoustic researchers in better understanding and designing the thermoacoustic refrigerator. According to the results obtained, the designed thermoacoustc refrigerator performed best. It has achieved a cooling load (cooling capacity) of 312W and a COP of 1.9275 at a difference in temperature of 25K between the AHX and CHX.