Ecological performance optimization of a thermoacoustic heat engine

Abstract

Ecological performance optimization of a generalized irreversible thermoacoustic heat engine with heat resistance, heat leakage, thermal relaxation and internal dissipation, in which heat transfer between the working fluid and heat reservoirs obeys a complex generalized heat transfer law $Q \propto \Delta (T)^n$ -where $n$ is a complex-, is investigated in this paper. Both the real part and the imaginary part of the complex heat transfer exponent change the optimal ecological function versus efficiency relationship, quantitatively. The analytical formulas about the ecological function and thermal efficiency of the thermoacoustic heat engine are derived. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of the influences of various factors on optimal performance of the generalized irreversible thermoacoustic heat engine is carried out by detailed numerical examples. The optimal zone on the performance of the thermoacoustic heat engine is obtained by numerical analysis. The results obtained herein can provide some theoretical guidelines for the design of real thermoacoustic engines.