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The pulse tube engine: A numerical and experimental approach on its design, performance, and operating conditions

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  • Moldenhauer, Stefan
  • Stark, Tilman
  • Holtmann, Christoph
  • Thess, André

Abstract

The pulse tube engine is a simple heat engine based on the pulse tube process. Due to its simplicity it has a high potential to be applicable in waste heat usage and energy harvesting purposes. In this work, mathematical and experimental design tools are developed to study a pressurized laboratory scale pulse tube engine. The mathematical model is based on the transient numerical solution of the governing differential equations for mass, momentum and energy. The Modelica environment of SimulationX is used to solve the equations numerically and the model is employed to design the experimental test engine with helium as working fluid. The transient behavior of the pulse tube engine's underlying thermodynamic properties is studied numerically and experimentally under different design parameters as well as for different heat input temperatures, filling pressures and operating frequencies. The measured engine characteristics are compared with the calculated predictions. Internal and external power losses are quantified. Design studies for a further development of the pulse tube engine are performed experimentally. The developed numerical tool provides a rational framework for up-scaling the current laboratory model to industrial scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Moldenhauer, Stefan & Stark, Tilman & Holtmann, Christoph & Thess, André, 2013. "The pulse tube engine: A numerical and experimental approach on its design, performance, and operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 703-715.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:55:y:2013:i:c:p:703-715
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.03.052
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Moldenhauer, Stefan, 2013. "Analytical model of the pulse tube engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 285-299.
    2. Zhang, Zhiguo & Zhao, Dan & Li, S.H. & Ji, C.Z. & Li, X.Y. & Li, J.W., 2015. "Transient energy growth of acoustic disturbances in triggering self-sustained thermoacoustic oscillations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 370-381.
    3. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Yang, Hang-Suin, 2014. "Optimization of rhombic drive mechanism used in beta-type Stirling engine based on dimensionless analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 970-978.
    4. Li, Xinyan & Zhao, Dan & Yang, Xinglin, 2017. "Experimental and theoretical bifurcation study of a nonlinear standing-wave thermoacoustic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 553-562.
    5. Zhao, Dan & Ji, Chenzhen & Li, Shihuai & Li, Junwei, 2014. "Thermodynamic measurement and analysis of dual-temperature thermoacoustic oscillations for energy harvesting application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 517-526.
    6. Zhao, Dan & Ji, Chenzhen & Teo, C. & Li, Shihuai, 2014. "Performance of small-scale bladeless electromagnetic energy harvesters driven by water or air," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 99-108.

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