Experimental Investigation of the Oscillating Flow Dynamics at the Exit of Regenerator Meshes with Different Configurations
Résumé
Regenerators (often consisting in stack mesh-wires) and heat exchangers are the core of thermoacoustic devices and, as such, key elements for the efficiency of these systems. In this study, the oscillating flow velocity field at the exit of different regenerators has been measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. Three different mesh wire sizes have been selected with respect to the size of the viscous penetration depth. The influence of the randomness of stacking the mesh wires on the oscillating flow dynamics has also been investigated. Measurements are performed for different acoustic levels. In the conference, the structure of oscillating flow will be discussed, especially in terms of vorticity fields for the different regenerators at different phases over the acoustic cycle. The evolution from low to high acoustic amplitudes will be presented.