Thermoacoustic micro-CHP system for low-grade thermal energy utilization in residential buildings

Effectively utilizing low-grade thermal energy is a promising approach to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
while reducing the burden on centralized power grids. Current thermoacoustic heat pumps and power generators
face challenges such as high onset temperature differentials and low performance. This paper addresses these
challenges by introducing a gas-liquid resonator into a thermoacoustic combined heat and power systems to
recover low-grade thermal energy in residential buildings. Through Sage modeling and calculations, the internal
characteristics of the proposed system and its output performance under different operating conditions are
explored. At a heating temperature of 350 ◦C, the system can generate 6.4 kW of output thermal power, 0.9 kW
of electricity, and overall exergy efficiency is 79.3 %. Combining neural network models with case studies
conducted in Spain and Finland, the system can annually save 5.6 MWh and 20.7 MWh in fuel energy, reduce
emissions of 1374 kg and 5180 kg of carbon dioxide, and save a total cost of €611 and €2324, respectively.
Furthermore, comparisons with other emerging micro-CHP systems highlight the efficiency of the proposed
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system. These results indicate the high potential of thermoacoustic combined heat and power systems in
recovering low-grade thermal energy and achieving energy savings and emission reductions.