New Chinese thermoacoustic Stirling engine breaks power record

[beijingwalker]

New Chinese thermoacoustic Stirling engine breaks power record​

Combining the principles of thermoacoustic generators and Stirling engines, a new Chinese engine could make ultra-quiet non-nuclear submarines.

Christopher McFadden
Published: Nov 14, 2023 06:31 AM EST

The new generator could help develop ultra-silent submarines.

China has reached an important milestone in developing a high-efficiency thermoacoustic Stirling generator, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Developed by researchers at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the new engine delivered a groundbreaking 140 hp (102 kilowatts) of power from a heat source of 986 degrees Fahrenheit (530 degrees Celsius). According to the SCMP, this is the first time that this type of breakthrough generator has gone over 134 hp (100 kilowatts).

Super quiet submarines​

Such engines theoretically have several exciting applications, one of the most interesting being a power source for ultra-quiet submarines. Previous work on this kind of generator includes NASA's patented LEW-TOPS-80 paired with an alternator to generate electricity in space. To date, NASA has not created a working prototype.

A thermoacoustic Stirling generator is an advanced energy conversion device that combines thermoacoustic engines with Stirling engine technology. It is exciting because it can transform thermal energy into electrical energy without using any moving parts at non-ambient temperatures, making it more reliable and efficient.

As sound waves travel through gases, parcels of gas are compressed and expanded adiabatically, meaning that the process occurs without transferring heat to the surroundings. This results in changes in pressure and temperature within the gas. When the pressure reaches its maximum or minimum, the temperature reaches its maximum or minimum. To this end, the new Chinese generator integrates a motor that can directly convert sound into electrical energy, pushing the boundaries of traditional Stirling engine designs.

This technology is seen as a game-changer for distributed energy systems due to its versatility and efficiency. It can be combined with different heat sources and could change how energy is generated, providing solutions for various energy needs.

According to Professor Hu Jianying of TIPC, the Chinese generator has a dumbbell-like shape and is about 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. It also operates with impressive efficiency. “The current thermoelectric conversion efficiency is about 28 percent; with a hotter 600-degree thermal fluid, efficiency could reach 34 percent,” he said.

Professor Luo Ercang of TIPC highlighted the generator's reliability, simple design, few moving parts, and compatibility with various heat sources as factors that enable it to rival the efficiency of steam turbines. “It operates quietly and efficiently and can use different types of heat, including solar energy, waste heat, and biomass,” a CAS statement quoted Lou.

“High-pressure helium at 15 megapascals serves as the working medium, and the absence of mechanical parts needing lubrication means the generator could exceed a decade of lifespan,” Jianying explained. He also noted that the motor's design avoids vibrations and maintains an airtight seal. “The linear motor, consisting of a piston driven by sound waves, permanent magnets, and coils, contributes to the high conversion efficiency. Its symmetrical design also eliminates some harmful vibrations,” he explained.

Many other applications​

“The linear motor keeps a very tiny space, about the thickness of a human hair, between the piston and cylinder. This prevents the parts from touching while maintaining the internal airtight environment," added Jianying. “It is a promising new generation technology for solar thermal, biomass power generation, and distributed energy systems,” he said.

New Chinese thermoacoustic Stirling engine breaks power record

Patented by NASA but never developed, Chinese scientists have managed to reach a major milestone in the development of a thermoacoustic Stirling engine.

interestingengineering.com

 

[beijingwalker]

Stealth subs: China's new ultra-quiet engine breaks power record​

Stealth subs: China's new ultra-quiet engine breaks power record

Chinese scientists have made a big advancement in creating a powerful thermoacoustic Stirling generator, a type of alternative energy technology, SCMP reported.

The super-efficient generator works really well using heat, and it runs quietly. This is great for places where being quiet is super important, like in submarines and airplanes, the report said.

In a recent test, the prototype produced an impressive 102 kilowatts of power using a heat source of 530 degrees Celsius (986 Fahrenheit). According to SCMP, this achievement is significant because it's the first time a generator of this kind has surpassed the 100kW mark.

NASA has a similar idea in its LEW-TOPS-80 patent, suggesting a thermoacoustic engine paired with an alternator to generate electricity in space, but they haven't revealed any prototypes or specific performance details yet.

The team behind this development is from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The generator they built is about 2 meters (6½ feet) long and has a shape resembling a dumbbell.

This technology is very efficient, SCMP quoted Professor Hu Jianying from TIPC as explaining.

“The current thermoelectric conversion efficiency is about 28 per cent; with a hotter 600 degree thermal fluid, efficiency could reach 34 per cent,” he said.

Professor Luo Ercang of the TIPC highlighted the generator’s reliability, simple design, few moving parts and compatibility with various heat sources.

“It operates quietly and efficiently, and can use different types of heat, including solar energy, waste heat and biomass,” a CAS statement quoted Lou as saying.

The innovative system comprises a thermoacoustic Stirling engine and a linear motor encased in a rigid shell. The engine converts heat into sound waves that resonate to form a stable sound field. These waves then drive a piston, which in turn generates electricity.

“High-pressure helium at 15 megapascals serves as the working medium, and the absence of mechanical parts needing lubrication means the generator could exceed a decade of lifespan,” Hu said.

Hu noted that the motor’s design avoided harmful vibrations and maintained an airtight seal within the mechanism.

“The linear motor, consisting of a piston driven by sound waves, permanent magnets and coils, contributes to the high conversion efficiency. Its symmetrical design also eliminates some harmful vibrations,” he said.

“The linear motor keeps a very tiny space, about the thickness of a human hair, between the piston and cylinder. This prevents the parts from touching while maintaining the internal airtight environment.”

“It is a promising new generation technology for solar thermal, biomass power generation, and distributed energy systems,” Hu said.

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MSN

 

[khansaheeb]

the new engine delivered a groundbreaking 140 hp (102 kilowatts) of power from a heat source of 986 degrees Fahrenheit (530 degrees Celsius). According to the SCMP, this is the first time that this type of breakthrough generator has gone over 134 hp (100 kilowatts).

Super quiet submarines​

So whjat is the source of the heat?

 

[S10]

How much of an increase in power output are we talking about here compared to standard Stirling AIP? Still won't be able to compete with SSN if the speed is under 10 knots on AIP.

 

[Manidabest]

Slowly and Steadily Chinese are catching up

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

How much of an increase in power output are we talking about here compared to standard Stirling AIP? Still won't be able to compete with SSN if the speed is under 10 knots on AIP.

This will be good for export.

 

[S10]

Slowly and Steadily Chinese are catching up

Catching up? This is the first engine of its kind, unless Americunts claim China stole it from the future with a time machine.

 

[Manidabest]

Catching up? This is the first engine of its kind, unless Americunts claim China stole it from the future with a time machine.

what i meant that Chinese are closing military gap and they will be at par with americans soon