Experimental study of a radial mode thermoacoustic prime mover

The purpose of this research is to branch out from thermoacoustics in the plane wave geometry to study radial wave thermoacoustic engines. The radial wave prime mover is described. Experimental results for the temperature difference at which oscillations begin are compared with theoretical predictions. Predictive models often assume a uniform pore size and temperature continuity between the stack and heat exchangers; however, stacks of nonuniform pore size and temperature discontinuities between the stack and heat exchangers are common imperfections in experimental devices. The radial engine results are explained using a theoretical model which takes into account these prevalent construction flaws. Theory and experiment are shown to be in agreement after the complications are included. Spectral measurements show that an additional feature of the radial geometry is the anharmonicity of the resonant modes which significantly reduces nonlinear harmonic generation.