Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S26842/01
Title:	Investigation of fluid mechanical and heat transfer processes in a high-amplitude standing-wave thermoacoustic device
Principal Investigator:	Jaworski, Professor AJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Eng
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts:	16 February 2004	Ends:	15 August 2006	Value (£):	124,244
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Heat & Mass Transfer
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing Electronics Energy Transport Systems and Vehicles No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposed research aims at conducting a fundamental study of fluid-mechanical and heat transfer processes occurring in a standing-wave thermoacoustic device. Here an acoustic wave present in a thermoacoustic stack imposes pressure and velocity oscillations, with relative phase difference, enabling the compressible fluid to undergo a thermodynamic cycle similar to the Stirling cycle. This phenomenon can be used in the next generation of energy efficient and environmentally friendly engines and refrigerators, which have no moving parts. Unfortunately, the correct analysis of such devices is hindered by a poor understanding of the thermo-fluid phenomena, especially in the long stacks and heat exchangers, which are characterised by the transient and three-dimensional nature of the oscillating compressible flow and its thermal interactions with physical boundaries. The existing models are particularly inadequate for high-amplitude operation, which is of practical technological importance. The proposed work is thought to be pioneering in its attempt to perform in-situ flow and heat transfer measurements within a representative arrangement of the thermoacoustic stack, and investigate hydrodynamic transport within the heat exchanger in realistic operating conditions. It is proposed to construct an experimental apparatus and perform stateof-the-art measurements including LDA, PIV, liquid crystal visualisations and cold- and hot-wire anemometry. The wealth of experimental data will be used to formulate an improved mathematical model, taking into account high-amplitude
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Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk