Abstract
We are developing a highly efficient thermoacoustic system that is capable of using industrial waste heat efficiently. In this study, we have designed a taper stack, for the thermoacoustic system, in which the cross sectional area increases toward the axial direction. Theoretically, the smaller the taper ratio, the prime mover efficiency improves compared with the efficiency of a straight prime mover. The efficiency of thermoacoustic energy conversion was examined for a taper prime mover and cooler with a taper ratio of 0.75. The specific Carnot efficiency of prime mover improved to 1.85 times whereas that for a straight by experiment.
