Experimental Characterization of a Thermoacoustic Travelling-Wave Refrigerator

The performances of a thermoacoustic travelling-wave refrigerator are presented. Developed in the frame of the European project called THATEA, it is designed for providing 600 W at a temperature of 233 K with an efficiency of 40 % relative to the Carnot efficiency. This paper presents the device and the results of the first measurements. For a cooling power of 210 W, a coefficient of performance relative to Carnot of 30 % is achieved when the refrigerator is coupled with an existing standing-wave engine.

Authors:

• M. Pierens
• J.-P. Thermeau
• T. Le Pollès
• P. Duthil

Keywords:

• Refrigeration
• sustainable energy
• thermoacoustics
• travelling-wave type heat pump

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