A thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system
By integrating a thermoacoustic engine and a turbine power generation module, the thermoacoustic engine rectifier drives a turbine power generation system, which solves the defects of existing thermoacoustic linear generators and Brayton cycle power generation systems, and achieves efficient and reliable high-power power generation, which is particularly suitable for clean energy power generation scenarios.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TECHNICAL INST OF PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY - CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermoacoustic linear generator technology is difficult to implement, has limited power amplification, and high manufacturing costs. Brayton cycle power generation systems have poor heat source adaptability and high maintenance costs, making it difficult to meet the demand for high-power, high-efficiency, reliable, and low-cost power generation.
The turbine power generation system using a thermoacoustic engine rectifier drive integrates the thermoacoustic engine, rectifier module, and turbine power generation module. The thermoacoustic engine serves as the pre-pressure wave generator and heat trap of the turbine power generation module, and the rectifier module solves the problem of cyclic coupling interface, thus achieving efficient conversion from thermal energy to electrical energy.
It enables high-power, high-power-density power generation ranging from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts, reduces processing and manufacturing costs, improves system reliability and thermoelectric conversion efficiency, and is suitable for power generation scenarios such as large-scale industrial waste heat recovery, biomass combustion and solar thermal power generation.
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Figure CN122304837A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermoacoustic power generation technology, and more particularly to a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification. Background Technology
[0002] Against the backdrop of accelerated global construction of new power systems, the efficient utilization of traditional energy sources, as well as low-grade thermal energy such as industrial waste heat, distributed biomass energy, and concentrated solar power, has become a core research direction in the energy field. Thermal power generation technology, as a key technology path for energy conversion, must simultaneously meet the requirements of operational reliability, environmental friendliness, and scenario adaptability. Among these, thermoacoustic power generation technology and Brayton cycle power generation systems have gained widespread attention in new energy power generation scenarios due to their unique technological advantages.
[0003] Thermoacoustic power generation technology refers to the technology of using a thermoacoustic engine to drive a sound-to-electric conversion device to ultimately convert thermal energy into electrical energy. It has advantages such as high reliability, long service life, and environmental friendliness, and is therefore widely used. Thermoacoustic generators typically consist of two main parts: a thermoacoustic engine unit and a sound-to-electric conversion unit. Because linear generators are physically compatible with the output characteristics of thermoacoustic engines, they have become the mainstream solution for the sound-to-electric conversion unit of thermoacoustic generators.
[0004] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermoacoustic linear generator in related technologies. The thermoacoustic linear generator consists of two main parts: a thermoacoustic engine 10a and a linear generator 20a. The thermoacoustic engine 10a mainly consists of a hot-end heat exchanger 11a, a regenerator 12a, and a cold-end heat exchanger 13a. The linear generator 20a mainly consists of a moving piston 22a, a cylinder 21a, a permanent magnet 23a, a stator coil 24a, and a support spring 25a. When a sufficient temperature difference is formed between the hot-end heat exchanger 11a and the cold-end heat exchanger 13a at both ends of the regenerator 12a, the working gas inside the thermoacoustic engine 10a will spontaneously generate and maintain strong sound wave oscillations, driving the moving piston 22a to move. The support spring 25a provides a restoring force for the moving piston 22a. The permanent magnet 23a is connected to the moving piston 22a and reciprocates to cut the stator coil 24a, causing a change in magnetic flux, thereby realizing the conversion of sound energy into electrical energy.
[0005] The Bretton cycle power generation system is a thermodynamic cycle power generation technology that uses gas as the working fluid. It features high efficiency, high power density, and compactness, and is widely used in new energy systems. The Bretton cycle power generation system has both open and closed structures.
[0006] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of an open Brayton cycle power generation system. The open Brayton cycle power generation system mainly consists of a heater 32a, a turbine 33a, a compressor 31a, and a motor 34a. The gaseous working fluid is first compressed to a high-pressure state by the compressor 31a, and then flows through the heater 32a to be heated to a high-temperature state. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas expands in the turbine 33a to generate electricity, and then is discharged into the atmosphere.
[0007] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a closed-loop Brayton cycle power generation system. The closed-loop Brayton cycle power generation system mainly consists of a heater 32a, a turbine 33a, a compressor 31a, a motor 34a, and a heat exchanger 35a. Its core principle is that the compressor 31a performs isentropic compression on the gaseous working fluid. After the gaseous working fluid pressure and temperature increase, it enters the heater 32a and isobarically heated by a heat source to form a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. Then, the gas expands and does work through the turbine 33a, driving the turbine 33a to rotate and drive the rotary generator 34a to generate electricity. After doing work, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas is restored to its initial state through heat exchanger 35a and re-enters the compressor 31a, forming a closed loop.
[0008] However, in practical applications, it has been found that both thermoacoustic power generation technology and Brayton power generation technology have inherent defects that are difficult to overcome.
[0009] Thermoacoustic power generation technology has the following problems: Firstly, to achieve non-contact, frictionless air bearing support, the gap between the piston and cylinder wall is typically on the order of 10–30 micrometers and needs to remain uniform throughout the entire stroke. This places extremely high demands on the machining precision of the moving piston and cylinder. Micrometer-level gaps also mean that any minute deformation, particulate contaminants within the system, or scratches can cause the moving piston to jam or increase leakage losses, severely impacting efficiency and reliability. Simultaneously, thermoacoustic linear generators rely on a gas film formed by the gaseous working fluid in the gap to support the moving piston. The stability of the gas film stiffness needs to be dynamically maintained under different operating pressures and temperatures; therefore, the control logic for its air bearing technology is quite complex.
[0010] Secondly, during long-term operation, due to slight asymmetries in pressure, temperature or electromagnetic force on both sides, the moving piston of the thermoacoustic linear generator will gradually deviate from the designed equilibrium position. This requires the system to add a control mechanism for the displacement of the moving piston, which not only increases the complexity and cost of the system, but its own reliability may also become a new point of failure.
[0011] Thirdly, to increase the power of a thermoacoustic linear generator, the diameter and stroke of the mover piston must be increased significantly. This leads to a sharp increase in the size and weight of the thermoacoustic linear generator, resulting in low power density and difficulty in meeting the demand for high-power power generation.
[0012] For Brayton cycle power generation systems, the following problems exist: Firstly, because the regenerator of the Brayton cycle power generation system cannot work effectively when the heat source temperature is low, it cannot provide a high pressure ratio and temperature difference. Therefore, it usually has high efficiency at higher heat source temperatures (above 400°C), but it is not efficient and economical for the large number of low-grade heat source systems.
[0013] Secondly, the compressor of the Brayton cycle power generation system is a high-speed rotating component. Rotating machinery has problems such as wear, high sealing requirements, and the need for a lubrication system, resulting in high maintenance costs and reliability issues at high temperatures.
[0014] In summary, existing thermoacoustic linear generators require overcoming complex technologies such as high-precision cylinder piston machining, air-bearing supports, and piston drift control. This presents significant technical challenges, limiting power amplification and making it difficult to meet high-power generation demands. Furthermore, compared to rotary generators, linear generators have significantly higher manufacturing costs, hindering the development of thermoacoustic power generation technology towards high-power, high-power-density applications ranging from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts. This also prevents them from fully adapting to large-scale applications such as modular solar thermal power generation and distributed biomass power generation. Meanwhile, existing Brayton cycle power generation systems suffer from low efficiency under low-grade heat source conditions, require high heat source quality, and exhibit poor reliability and high maintenance costs due to inherent limitations of the compressor.
[0015] Given the above problems, how to solve the difficulties in implementing existing thermoacoustic linear generator technology, the limitations in power amplification, the high manufacturing cost, and the poor heat source adaptability and high maintenance cost of Brayton cycle power generation systems, in order to meet the demand for efficient, high-power, reliable, and low-cost power generation, has become an important technical challenge that urgently needs to be solved.
[0016] It should be clarified here that the above description is intended to facilitate understanding of the overall background of the present invention, and should not be construed as an admission or implication in any way that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0017] This invention provides a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification, which solves the shortcomings of existing thermoacoustic linear generator technology, such as high implementation difficulty, limited power amplification, high manufacturing cost, and poor heat source adaptability and high maintenance cost of Brayton cycle power generation systems. It effectively solves the problems of existing thermoacoustic linear power generation systems being limited by low power density and scalability, reduces processing and manufacturing costs, and also solves the problems of Brayton power generation systems being limited by low-grade heat source efficiency and the complexity of rotary compressors. It is particularly suitable for power generation scenarios such as large-scale industrial waste heat recovery, biomass combustion, and solar thermal power generation, and has comprehensive advantages such as high efficiency, good reliability, and easy scale-up.
[0018] This invention provides a thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system, comprising: A thermoacoustic engine is used to convert thermal energy into the reciprocating oscillating flow of a working fluid, thereby generating acoustic energy. The rectifier module, with its input end coupled to the output end of the thermoacoustic engine, is used to rectify the reciprocating oscillating acoustic energy into steady-state DC. The turbine power generation module has its input end coupled to the output end of the rectifier module. It is used to receive the steady-state DC and convert the mechanical energy in the steady-state DC into electrical energy through a thermodynamic cycle.
[0019] According to the present invention, a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification includes a rectification module comprising: The resonant tube, with its first end forming the input terminal of the rectifier module, is used for tuning the acoustic energy; The first end of the acoustic diode is coupled to the second end of the resonant tube, and the second end is configured to allow the working fluid to flow out in one direction, thus forming the output end of the rectifier module.
[0020] According to the present invention, a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification includes a turbine power generation module comprising: The heater has one end configured as the input terminal of the turbine power generation module, and is used to heat the steady-state DC. A turbine, connected to the other end of the heater, is used to receive the steady-state DC and do work, converting it into rotational mechanical energy; A rotary generator, connected to the output end of the turbine via a rotating shaft, is used to convert the rotational mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy.
[0021] According to the present invention, a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification is provided, wherein the acoustic diode is further provided with a return terminal; The return end of the acoustic diode is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the working fluid, and the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode.
[0022] According to the present invention, a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification includes an acoustic diode comprising: The gas reservoir is coupled to the second end of the resonant tube; An exhaust check valve is connected to the gas reservoir to form the second terminal of the acoustic diode; the exhaust check valve is used to open when the working fluid flows from the resonant tube to the gas reservoir, and to close when the working fluid flows from the gas reservoir to the resonant tube. An inlet check valve is connected to the gas reservoir to form the return end of the acoustic diode; the inlet check valve is used to close when the working fluid flows from the resonant tube to the gas reservoir, and to open when the working fluid flows from the gas reservoir to the resonant tube.
[0023] A turbo power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine according to the present invention further includes a cooler; One end of the cooler is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module, and the other end is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode.
[0024] A turbo power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine according to the present invention further includes a reflux heat exchanger; The heat medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module, and the heat medium outlet is connected to the cooler. The working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the acoustic diode, and the working fluid outlet is connected to the input end of the turbine power generation module.
[0025] According to the present invention, a thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system includes a thermoacoustic engine comprising, in sequence, a hot-end heat exchanger, a regenerator, and a cold-end heat exchanger.
[0026] According to the present invention, a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification is provided, wherein the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module is connected to the cold end heat exchanger, and the cold end heat exchanger is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode, so that the cold end heat exchanger constitutes the cooler.
[0027] A turbo power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine according to the present invention further includes a reflux heat exchanger; The medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module; The working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger is connected to the output end of the rectifier module, and the working fluid outlet is connected to the input end of the turbine power generation module.
[0028] This invention provides a thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system. The thermoacoustic engine absorbs thermal energy and converts it into a reciprocating oscillating flow of the working fluid to generate acoustic energy. The rectifier module rectifies the acoustic energy of the reciprocating oscillating flow into steady-state DC. The turbine power generation module receives the steady-state DC and converts the mechanical energy in the steady-state DC into electrical energy through thermodynamic circulation, realizing a highly efficient conversion from thermal energy to electrical energy.
[0029] Compared to related technologies, this power generation system systematically integrates a thermoacoustic engine, a rectifier module, and a turbine power generation module. It cleverly utilizes the thermoacoustic engine as a pre-pressure wave generator and heat trap for the turbine power generation module, and solves the interface problem of two cyclic couplings using the rectifier module. This allows the system to combine the high reliability advantages of the thermoacoustic engine (no moving parts, able to utilize low-grade heat sources) with the high power density and high efficiency advantages of the turbine power generation module. It eliminates complex technologies such as gap fitting and air-bearing supports, easily achieving high-power, high-power-density power generation from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts. This effectively solves the problem of existing thermoacoustic linear generators being limited by power density and amplification capabilities, making it difficult to meet high-power power generation demands. It also reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, replacing the compressor with a thermoacoustic engine reduces rotating parts, lowers maintenance requirements, and improves system reliability. This facilitates higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency and wider heat source adaptability, making it widely applicable to clean energy power generation scenarios such as solar thermal and biomass combustion. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermoacoustic linear generator in related technologies.
[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an open Brayton cycle power generation system in related technologies.
[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a closed-loop Brayton cycle power generation system in related technologies.
[0034] Figure 4 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the structure of the thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Figure 6 This is the third schematic diagram of the structure of the thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system provided in the embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] Figure label: 10. Thermoacoustic engine; 11. Hot-end heat exchanger; 12. Regenerator; 13. Cold-end heat exchanger; 20. Rectifier module; 21. Resonant tube; 22. Acoustic diode; 221. Gas storage tank; 222. Exhaust check valve; 223. Intake check valve; 30. Turbine power generation module; 31. Heater; 32. Turbine; 33. Rotary generator; 34. Shaft; 40. Cooler; 50. Recirculation heat exchanger; 10a. Thermoacoustic engine; 11a. Hot-end heat exchanger; 12a. Regenerator; 13a. Cold-end heat exchanger; 20a. Linear generator; 21a. Cylinder; 22a. Mover piston; 23a. Permanent magnet; 24a. Stator coil; 25a. Support spring; 31a. Compressor; 32a. Heater; 33a. Turbine; 34a. Motor; 35a. Heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation
[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0039] To better understand the thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system provided by this invention, we first introduce its application background. Thermoacoustic power generation technology and Brayton cycle power generation system are two commonly used thermal power generation technologies. With their unique technical advantages, they have received widespread attention in new energy power generation scenarios.
[0040] Thermoacoustic power generation technology refers to the technology of using a thermoacoustic engine to drive a sound-to-electric conversion device to ultimately convert thermal energy into electrical energy. It has advantages such as high reliability, long service life, and environmental friendliness, and is therefore widely used. Thermoacoustic generators typically consist of two main parts: a thermoacoustic engine unit and a sound-to-electric conversion unit. Because linear generators are physically compatible with the output characteristics of thermoacoustic engines, they have become the mainstream solution for the sound-to-electric conversion unit of thermoacoustic generators.
[0041] The Brayton cycle power generation system is a thermodynamic cycle power generation technology that uses gas as the working fluid. It features high efficiency, high power density, and compact design, and is widely used in new energy systems. Brayton cycle power generation systems have two structures: open and closed. An open Brayton cycle power generation system mainly consists of a heater, turbine, compressor, and motor. The gaseous working fluid is first compressed to a high-pressure state by the compressor, then flows through the heater to be heated to a high-temperature state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas expands in the turbine to generate electricity, and then is discharged into the atmosphere. A closed Brayton cycle power generation system adds a heat exchanger. After the gas has done work, the low-temperature, low-pressure gas is restored to its initial state through the heat exchanger and then re-enters the compressor, forming a closed cycle.
[0042] However, in practical applications, both thermoacoustic power generation and Brayton cycle power generation technologies have inherent drawbacks that are difficult to overcome. Existing thermoacoustic linear generators require complex technologies such as high-precision cylinder piston machining, air-bearing support, and piston drift control, making them technically difficult to implement, limiting power amplification, and making it difficult to meet the demand for high-power power generation. Moreover, compared with rotary generators, the manufacturing cost of linear generators is significantly higher, which restricts the development of thermoacoustic power generation technology towards high power and high power density in the hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts range, and cannot fully adapt to large-scale application scenarios such as modular solar thermal power generation and distributed biomass power generation. On the other hand, existing Brayton cycle power generation systems have low efficiency under low-grade heat source conditions, require high heat source quality, and suffer from poor reliability and high maintenance costs due to the inherent limitations of compressors.
[0043] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification, which effectively solves the problems of low power density and limited scalability of existing thermoacoustic linear power generation systems, reduces manufacturing costs, and also solves the problems of low-grade heat source efficiency and rotary compressor complexity of Brayton power generation systems. It is particularly suitable for power generation scenarios such as large-scale industrial waste heat recovery, biomass combustion and solar thermal, and has comprehensive advantages such as high efficiency, good reliability and easy scale-up.
[0044] The following is combined Figures 4 to 6 The present invention describes a thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system.
[0045] Reference Figures 4 to 6 A thermoacoustic engine-driven turbine power generation system includes a thermoacoustic engine 10, a rectifier module 20, and a turbine power generation module 30. The thermoacoustic engine 10 converts thermal energy into reciprocating oscillating flow of a working fluid to generate acoustic energy. The input end of the rectifier module 20 is coupled to the output end of the thermoacoustic engine 10 to rectify the acoustic energy of the reciprocating oscillating flow into steady-state DC. The input end of the turbine power generation module 30 is coupled to the output end of the rectifier module 20 to receive the steady-state DC and convert the mechanical energy in the steady-state DC into electrical energy through a thermodynamic cycle.
[0046] In practical operation, the thermoacoustic engine 10 absorbs thermal energy and converts it into the reciprocating oscillating flow of the working fluid to generate acoustic energy. The rectifier module 20 rectifies the acoustic energy of the reciprocating oscillating flow into steady-state DC. The turbine power generation module 30 receives the steady-state DC and converts the mechanical energy in the steady-state DC into electrical energy through thermodynamic cycle, thus realizing the efficient conversion from thermal energy to electrical energy.
[0047] Compared to related technologies, this power generation system systematically integrates the thermoacoustic engine 10, the rectifier module 20, and the turbine power generation module 30. It cleverly utilizes the thermoacoustic engine 10 as a pre-pressure wave generator and heat trap for the turbine power generation module 30, and uses the rectifier module 20 to solve the interface problem of two cyclic couplings. This power generation system combines the high reliability advantages of the thermoacoustic engine 10 (no moving parts, able to utilize low-grade heat sources) with the high power density and high efficiency advantages of the turbine power generation module 30. It eliminates complex technologies such as gap fit and air flotation support, and can easily achieve high-power, high-power-density power generation of hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts. It effectively solves the problem that existing thermoacoustic linear generators are limited by power density and amplification capabilities, making it difficult to meet the demand for high-power power generation. It also reduces manufacturing costs. At the same time, the thermoacoustic engine 10 replaces the compressor, reducing the rotating parts of the compressor, reducing maintenance requirements, improving system reliability, and facilitating higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency and wider heat source adaptability. It can be widely used in clean energy power generation scenarios such as solar thermal and biomass combustion.
[0048] The following section will provide a detailed explanation of each module in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams.
[0049] Reference Figure 4 The thermoacoustic engine 10 includes a hot-end heat exchanger 11, a regenerator 12, and a cold-end heat exchanger 13 connected in sequence. The hot-end heat exchanger 11 can absorb high-temperature heat sources from the outside to form a high-temperature end, and the cold-end heat exchanger 13 can exchange heat with the low-temperature environment to form a low-temperature end. This establishes a temperature gradient at both ends of the regenerator 12. When the temperature gradient exceeds the critical temperature gradient, the working fluid in the thermoacoustic engine 10 begins to self-excite and reciprocate, generating acoustic energy.
[0050] It should be noted that the specific forms of the hot-end heat exchanger 11 and the cold-end heat exchanger 13 include, but are not limited to, tubular heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, porous media heat exchangers, and shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The heat source for the hot-end heat exchanger 11 can be generated from solar energy or biomass combustion, while the cold source for the cold-end heat exchanger 13 can be water-cooled, air-cooled, etc. Furthermore, the regenerator 12 is configured as a porous medium, and its structural form includes, but is not limited to, parallel flow channels, porous foam, and stacked wire mesh. The working fluid within the thermoacoustic engine 10 is configured as a gaseous working fluid, which can be a single gaseous working fluid or a mixed gaseous working fluid. All of the above can be selected and designed according to the actual application scenario, and no specific limitations are imposed in this embodiment of the invention.
[0051] In one example of the present invention, the rectifier module 20 includes a resonant tube 21 and an acoustic diode 22; wherein, the first end of the resonant tube 21 constitutes the input terminal of the rectifier module 20 for tuning acoustic energy; one end of the acoustic diode 22 is coupled to the second end of the resonant tube 21, and the other end is configured to allow the working fluid to flow out in one direction, constituting the output terminal of the rectifier module 20.
[0052] With this configuration, the acoustic energy output by the thermoacoustic engine 10 first enters the resonant tube 21 for tuning. The resonant tube 21 can significantly increase the pressure amplitude (pressure ratio) of the acoustic energy and achieve efficient transmission of the acoustic energy. The tuned acoustic energy enters the acoustic diode 22. Utilizing the unidirectional output characteristic of the acoustic diode 22, the reciprocating oscillating current is rectified into a unidirectional steady-state DC, providing a stable high-voltage airflow input for the subsequent turbine power generation module 30, ensuring efficient power generation through thermodynamic cycling.
[0053] Furthermore, the acoustic diode 22 includes a gas reservoir 221 and an exhaust check valve 222; wherein, the gas reservoir 221 is coupled to the second end of the resonant tube 21; the exhaust check valve 222 is connected to the gas reservoir 221 and is used to open when the working medium flows from the resonant tube 21 to the gas reservoir 221 and to close when the working medium flows in the opposite direction.
[0054] With this configuration, the reciprocating oscillation output from the thermoacoustic engine 10 flows into the gas reservoir 221 after being tuned by the resonant tube 21. When the working fluid flows towards the gas reservoir 221, it compresses the working fluid in the gas reservoir 221, increasing the pressure of the working fluid in the gas reservoir 221. The exhaust check valve 222 opens, and the working fluid enters the turbine power generation module 30 to generate electricity. When the working fluid flows in the opposite direction to the gas reservoir 221, the exhaust check valve 222 closes, thereby achieving a one-way outflow of the working fluid from the gas reservoir 221 to the turbine power generation module 30.
[0055] In one example of the present invention, the turbine power generation module 30 includes a heater 31, a turbine 32, and a rotary generator 33; wherein, one end of the heater 31 is configured as the input end of the turbine power generation module 30 and is connected to the gas storage 221 through a pipeline for heating steady-state DC; the turbine 32 is connected to the other end of the heater 31 through a pipeline for receiving steady-state DC and doing work, converting it into rotational mechanical energy; the rotary generator 33 is connected to the output end of the turbine 32 through a rotating shaft 34 for converting the rotational mechanical energy of the turbine 32 into electrical energy.
[0056] In actual operation, the steady-state DC output by the rectifier module 20 first enters the heater 31, where the heater 31 heats the steady-state DC airflow at equal pressure, forming a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid airflow. The high-temperature and high-pressure airflow then enters the turbine 32 to expand and do work, driving the turbine 32 to rotate and do work. The turbine 32 drives the rotor of the rotary generator 33 to rotate through the rotating shaft 34, cutting magnetic field lines to generate electrical energy and completing the thermoelectric conversion process under the Brayton cycle.
[0057] In one example of the present invention, the working fluid outlet of the turbine 32 can be directly connected to the atmosphere (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in the figure, with this configuration, the low-temperature and low-pressure working gas produced by the turbine 32 after doing work can be directly discharged into the atmosphere. This type of power generation system has a simpler structure, is lighter, has a faster response, and is not limited by the leakage and replenishment of the working gas. It is suitable for mobile, variable operating condition fast response, and high power requirements scenarios.
[0058] In another example of the invention, reference is made to Figure 5 The acoustic diode 22 is also provided with a return terminal; the return terminal of the acoustic diode 22 is configured to allow the working fluid to flow in unidirectionally, and the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module 30 is connected to the return terminal of the acoustic diode 22 through a return pipe.
[0059] Furthermore, an inlet check valve 223 is connected to the gas reservoir 221 to form the return end of the acoustic diode 22; the inlet check valve 223 is used to close when the working medium flows from the resonant tube 21 to the gas reservoir 221, and to open when the working medium flows from the gas reservoir 221 to the resonant tube 21.
[0060] With this configuration, the reciprocating oscillation output from the thermoacoustic engine 10 flows into the gas storage 221 after being tuned by the resonant tube 21. When the working fluid flows towards the gas storage 221, it compresses the working fluid in the gas storage 221, increasing the pressure of the working fluid in the gas storage 221. The exhaust check valve 222 opens, and the intake check valve 223 closes, allowing the working fluid to enter the turbine power generation module 30 to generate electricity. When the working fluid flows in the opposite direction to the gas storage 221, the exhaust check valve 222 closes, and the intake check valve 223 opens, allowing the low-temperature, low-pressure working fluid to return to the gas storage 221 after performing work, thus achieving a closed-loop circulation of the working fluid.
[0061] Furthermore, the power generation system also includes a cooler 40, one end of which is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine 32, and the other end is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode 22.
[0062] In practical operation, the cooler 40 can cool down the low-temperature and low-pressure working fluid discharged by the turbine 32, so that the working fluid can be restored to the initial state suitable for circulation, and then flow back to the return end of the acoustic diode 22 to re-participate in the system circulation, forming a closed Brayton power generation circuit with a closed working fluid circulation, ensuring stable recycling of the working fluid.
[0063] In one example of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 5 The cooler 40 can be configured as an independent heat exchange device, such as a separately set water-cooled or air-cooled heat exchanger.
[0064] In another example of the invention, reference is made to Figure 6 The cooler 40 can also be integrated and shared with the cold-end heat exchanger 13 of the thermoacoustic engine 10, so that the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module 30 is connected to the cold-end heat exchanger 13, and the cold-end heat exchanger 13 is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode 22. This arrangement simplifies the overall structure of the power generation system, reduces the number of independent heat exchange components, and reduces the system assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.
[0065] In one example of the present invention, the turbine power generation system further includes a reflux heat exchanger 50; the heat medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50 is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module 30; the working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50 is connected to the output end of the rectifier module 20, and the working fluid outlet is connected to the input end of the turbine power generation module 30.
[0066] In practical operation, the low-temperature, low-pressure working fluid discharged from the turbine power generation module 30 enters the heat medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50, while the high-pressure steady-state DC working fluid output by the rectifier unit enters the working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50. The two types of working fluids exchange heat within the reflux heat exchanger 50. The waste heat carried by the working fluid after power generation is recovered and transferred to the steady-state DC working fluid to be heated. The preheated working fluid then enters the input end of the turbine power generation module 30, completing the heat recovery and preheating process, which can significantly improve the overall heat utilization rate and thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the power generation system.
[0067] In one example of the present invention, the heat medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50 is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module 30, and the heat medium outlet is connected to the cooler 40; the working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger 50 is connected to the second end of the acoustic diode 22, and the working fluid outlet is connected to the input end of the turbine power generation module 30.
[0068] With this configuration, the low-temperature, low-pressure working fluid discharged from the turbine power generation module 30 after performing work is heated by the reflux heat exchanger 50 and then enters the cooler 40 for further cooling. After returning to the initial state suitable for circulation, it flows back to the acoustic diode 22, realizing heat recovery and cooling and voltage stabilization of the working fluid. This makes the working fluid state returning to the acoustic diode 22 more stable, avoiding temperature fluctuations from interfering with the operation of the rectifier module 20 and the thermoacoustic engine 10, and ensuring that the system pressure amplitude and pressure ratio are maintained in the high-efficiency operating range.
[0069] It is understandable that the reflux heat exchanger 50 can be configured as any type of heat exchanger, such as a tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a porous medium heat exchanger, or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The specific type can be selected according to actual needs, and no specific restrictions are imposed here.
[0070] It is understood that, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples.
[0071] The thermoacoustic engine-driven turbine power generation system provided in this invention integrates the thermoacoustic engine 10, the rectifier module 20, and the turbine power generation module 30. It cleverly utilizes the thermoacoustic engine 10 as a pre-pressure wave generator and heat trap for the turbine power generation module 30, and the rectifier module 20 solves the interface problem of two cyclic couplings. This power generation system combines the high reliability advantages of the thermoacoustic engine 10 (no moving parts, utilizing low-grade heat sources) with the high power density and high efficiency advantages of the turbine power generation module 30. It eliminates the need for complex technologies such as gap fitting and air-float support, easily achieving high-power, high-power-density power generation from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts. This effectively solves the problem of existing thermoacoustic linear generators being limited by power density and amplification capabilities, making it difficult to meet high-power power generation demands. It also reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the thermoacoustic engine 10 replaces the compressor, reducing rotating parts, lowering maintenance requirements, and improving system reliability. This facilitates higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency and wider heat source adaptability, making it widely applicable to clean energy power generation scenarios such as solar thermal and biomass combustion.
[0072] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A turbine power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine rectification, characterized in that, include: Thermoacoustic engine (10) is used to convert thermal energy into reciprocating oscillating flow of working fluid to generate acoustic energy; The rectifier module (20) has its input end coupled to the output end of the thermoacoustic engine (10) and is used to rectify the reciprocating oscillating acoustic energy into steady-state DC. The turbine power generation module (30) has its input end coupled to the output end of the rectifier module (20) and is used to receive the steady-state DC and convert the mechanical energy in the steady-state DC into electrical energy through a thermodynamic cycle.
2. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rectifier module (20) includes: The resonant tube (21) has its first end forming the input terminal of the rectifier module (20) for tuning the acoustic energy; The acoustic diode (22) has its first end coupled to the second end of the resonant tube (21), and the second end is configured to allow the working fluid to flow out in one direction, thus forming the output terminal of the rectifier module (20).
3. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The turbine power generation module (30) includes: The heater (31) has one end configured as the input terminal of the turbine power generation module (30) for heating the steady-state DC. A turbine (32) is connected to the other end of the heater (31) to receive the steady-state DC and do work, converting it into rotational mechanical energy; A rotary generator (33) is connected to the output end of the turbine (32) via a rotating shaft (34) and is used to convert the rotational mechanical energy of the turbine (32) into electrical energy.
4. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The acoustic diode (22) is also provided with a return terminal; The return end of the acoustic diode (22) is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the working fluid, and the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module (30) is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode (22).
5. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The acoustic diode (22) includes: The gas reservoir (221) is coupled to the second end of the resonant tube (21); An exhaust check valve (222) is connected to the gas reservoir (221) to form the second end of the acoustic diode (22); the exhaust check valve (222) is used to open when the working fluid flows from the resonant tube (21) to the gas reservoir (221) and to close when the working fluid flows from the gas reservoir (221) to the resonant tube (21).
6. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The acoustic diode (22) also includes: An intake check valve (223) is connected to the gas reservoir (221) to form the return end of the acoustic diode (22); the intake check valve (223) is used to close when the working fluid flows from the resonant tube (21) to the gas reservoir (221), and to open when the working fluid flows from the gas reservoir (221) to the resonant tube (21).
7. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a cooler (40); One end of the cooler (40) is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module (30), and the other end is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode (22).
8. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a reflux heat exchanger (50); The heat medium inlet of the reflux heat exchanger (50) is connected to the working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module (30), and the heat medium outlet is connected to the cooler (40). The working fluid inlet of the reflux heat exchanger (50) is connected to the second end of the acoustic diode (22), and the working fluid outlet is connected to the input end of the turbine power generation module (30).
9. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The thermoacoustic engine (10) includes, in sequence: a hot-end heat exchanger (11), a regenerator (12), and a cold-end heat exchanger (13).
10. The thermoacoustic engine rectifier-driven turbine power generation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The working fluid outlet of the turbine power generation module (30) is connected to the cold end heat exchanger (13), and the cold end heat exchanger (13) is connected to the return end of the acoustic diode (22), so that the cold end heat exchanger (13) constitutes the cooler (40).