Development of a thermoacoustic travelling-wave refrigerator

Thermoacoustic phenomenon deals with the interaction between heat and sound. This physical field is studied from the later seventies to develop heat machines for energy conversion. A thermoacoustic refrigerator uses a mechanical work, induced by an intense acoustic wave, to pump heat from a cold source and rejecting heat to an ambient source. In the framework of the European project called THATEA focusing on energy conversion efficiencies, a thermoacoustic travelling-wave refrigerator has been developed. This system provides 200W of cooling power at a cold temperature of 233 K with a COP of 30% relative to the theoretical Carnot COP. We first explain the working principle of such a system, then we present the device, and finally we give results obtained from experimental campaigns.