The efficiency of thermoacoustic engines and refrigerators is now approaching 40% of the ideal efficiency allowed by the laws of thermodynamics. To achieve such high efficiency requires understanding and control of streaming. Sometimes, thermoacoustic phenomena cause unwanted streaming-driven convection of heat, which we strive to eliminate; in other cases, deliberate use of second-order mass flow may be the key to simplification and improved efficiency. Some features of this streaming are quantitatively understood, but many issues must still be resolved before thermoacoustic devices reach their full potential.
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© 2000 American Institute of Physics.
2000
American Institute of Physics
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