Thermoacoustic Engine for Waste Heat Recovery of Commercial Vehicles

Abstract

Purpose of the study is to develop a thermoacoustic engine for waste heat recovery system of commercial vehicles. The most difficult point for the system is to make the engine system work at low exhaust gas temperature condition. It is clarified through simulations that a 3-stage thermoacoustic engine system is appropriate for increasing the reuse efficiency, compared to a single stage system. Further, it is also clarified that expanding the regenerator diameter increases engine system efficiency. A prototype system that is developed based on the knowledge can achieve 20% of Carnot cycle efficiency between ⊿T=150～200K.