Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium

Taconis oscillations represent spontaneous excitation of acoustic modes in tubes with large temperature gradients in cryogenic systems. In this study, Taconis oscillations in hydrogen and helium systems are enhanced with a porous material resulting in a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine. A theoret...

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Main Authors: Matthew P. Shenton, Jacob W. Leachman, Konstantin I. Matveev
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4114
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author Matthew P. Shenton
Jacob W. Leachman
Konstantin I. Matveev
author_facet Matthew P. Shenton
Jacob W. Leachman
Konstantin I. Matveev
author_sort Matthew P. Shenton
collection DOAJ
description Taconis oscillations represent spontaneous excitation of acoustic modes in tubes with large temperature gradients in cryogenic systems. In this study, Taconis oscillations in hydrogen and helium systems are enhanced with a porous material resulting in a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine. A theoretical model is developed using the thermoacoustic software DeltaEC, version v6.4b2.7, to predict system performance, and an experimental apparatus is constructed for engine characterization. The low-amplitude thermoacoustic model predicts the pressure amplitude, frequency, and temperature gradient required for excitation of the standing-wave system. Experimental measurements, including the onset temperature ratio, acoustic pressure amplitudes, and frequencies, are recorded for different stack materials and geometries. The findings indicate that, independent of stack, hydrogen systems excite at smaller temperature differentials than helium (because of different properties such as lower viscosity for hydrogen), and the stack geometry and material affect the onset temperature ratio. However, pressure amplitude in the excited states varies minimally. Initial measurements are also conducted in a cooling setup with an added regenerator. The configuration with stainless-steel mesh screens produces a small cryogenic refrigeration effect with a decrease in temperature of about 1 K. The reported characterization of a Taconis-based thermoacoustic engine can be useful for the development of novel thermal management systems for cryogenic storage vessels, including refrigeration and pressurization.
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spelling doaj-art-ce05050c0ef34c7f9861600aceabcb5c2025-08-20T03:36:34ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815411410.3390/en18154114Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and HeliumMatthew P. Shenton0Jacob W. Leachman1Konstantin I. Matveev2Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Center, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USAHydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Center, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USAHydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Center, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USATaconis oscillations represent spontaneous excitation of acoustic modes in tubes with large temperature gradients in cryogenic systems. In this study, Taconis oscillations in hydrogen and helium systems are enhanced with a porous material resulting in a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine. A theoretical model is developed using the thermoacoustic software DeltaEC, version v6.4b2.7, to predict system performance, and an experimental apparatus is constructed for engine characterization. The low-amplitude thermoacoustic model predicts the pressure amplitude, frequency, and temperature gradient required for excitation of the standing-wave system. Experimental measurements, including the onset temperature ratio, acoustic pressure amplitudes, and frequencies, are recorded for different stack materials and geometries. The findings indicate that, independent of stack, hydrogen systems excite at smaller temperature differentials than helium (because of different properties such as lower viscosity for hydrogen), and the stack geometry and material affect the onset temperature ratio. However, pressure amplitude in the excited states varies minimally. Initial measurements are also conducted in a cooling setup with an added regenerator. The configuration with stainless-steel mesh screens produces a small cryogenic refrigeration effect with a decrease in temperature of about 1 K. The reported characterization of a Taconis-based thermoacoustic engine can be useful for the development of novel thermal management systems for cryogenic storage vessels, including refrigeration and pressurization.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4114standing-wave engineTaconis oscillationsthermoacousticscryogenic hydrogen
spellingShingle Matthew P. Shenton
Jacob W. Leachman
Konstantin I. Matveev
Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
Energies
standing-wave engine
Taconis oscillations
thermoacoustics
cryogenic hydrogen
title Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
title_full Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
title_fullStr Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
title_full_unstemmed Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
title_short Study of Taconis-Based Cryogenic Thermoacoustic Engine with Hydrogen and Helium
title_sort study of taconis based cryogenic thermoacoustic engine with hydrogen and helium
topic standing-wave engine
Taconis oscillations
thermoacoustics
cryogenic hydrogen
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4114
work_keys_str_mv AT matthewpshenton studyoftaconisbasedcryogenicthermoacousticenginewithhydrogenandhelium
AT jacobwleachman studyoftaconisbasedcryogenicthermoacousticenginewithhydrogenandhelium
AT konstantinimatveev studyoftaconisbasedcryogenicthermoacousticenginewithhydrogenandhelium