Experimental studies on thermoacoustic engine with gaseous mixtures

Thermoacoustic devices have drawn considerable attention of researchers due to their several advantages like simplicity of construction, maintenance free operation etc. It is known that the working gas for these systems should have lower prandtl number for their better performance. Gaseous mixtures are found to be more suitable due to their lower value of prandtl number compared to that for pure noble gases. A standing wave type half wavelength thermoacoustic engine is developed for 300 Hz resonating frequency with helium as working gas. In the present work experimental investigations are carried out with a few gaseous mixtures of helium, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide on a standing a wave type thermoacoustic prime engine. Acoustic amplifier is used for amplification of the pressure ratio generated. Parametric investigations are carried out in terms of charging pressure and heat input temperature. Performance of the engine with these gaseous mixtures is reported.