Numerical modelling of thermoacoustic Stirling engines & refrigerators

This paper investigates how numerical modelling can be used to explore thermoacoustic machines and compares the accuracy of the performance predictions for different simulation software. The software used includes one designed for modelling Stirling machines called 'Sage' and for modelling thermoacoustic machines called 'DeltaEC.' To compare their results, a model of both a thermoacoustic Stirling engine and refrigerator were developed from existing models in published papers, which contained experimental data to validate the numerical models. Overall, it was found that although both can accurately model thermoacoustic machines, they present different optimal conditions, and Sage's solving method makes it more complex to model the standing wave.