The force of waves to produce cold, heat, and electricity

2007/06/17 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Diseinua
• Ingeniaritza
• Teknologia
• Energia

SCORE is based on thermoacoustics, simple and easy to use. (Picture: SCORE))

It has been called SCORE (Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration and Electricity, that is, cooking, refrigerating and generating electricity) and is based on the technology called thermoacoustics.

The thermo-acoustic is based on the acoustic pressure waves that can occur when an irregular form of gas is burned. By using a thermo-acoustic motor, these pressure waves become mechanical movements that act as if they were pistons. You can also perform the reverse process. Thus, acoustic waves can be used to extract heat: pumping from a cold source to a hot well cause cooling.

Previously, thermo-acoustic motors and refrigerators have been used, but in applications with the most advanced technology such as refrigeration units for space vessels, satellites or military planes and power generators. However, researchers believe that it can be extended to many more applications. In fact, in reality the thermo-acoustic appliances are quite simple and can be made very cheap.

SCORE and organ ducts

Heat, cold and electricity, are the three. (Photo: SCORE))

The SCORE project has sought from the beginning to be an economical and useful tool. That's why you don't need electricity to run, for example. In fact, in developing countries, they often only have electricity in cities, and in them not all. In most other places they burn wood for energy. Therefore, the instrument that is being designed uses this same energy source: wood.

When the wood is burned, a tube full of gases is heated. The gas is expanded in the hot part and from there it moves towards the cold part. When cooled, the gas is compressed. Then, the tube vibrates like the tube of an organ. This generates acoustic pressure waves that can be used to obtain electricity. The process is inverse to a speaker to convert the electrical signal into vibration.

Acoustic waves can be used not only to generate electricity, but also to cool down. In fact, the waves allow the commissioning of an engine that absorbs heat, which allows its operation as a refrigerator.

Finally, the heat that is generated by burning the wood can be used for cooking like any traditional fire. The refrigerator and the fire are joined together by tubes carrying smoke, but they are away from each other to prevent heat from affecting the refrigerator. It should be noted that the electric generation and cooling system of the refrigerator must be in operation, that is, it is essential to have the fire on.

Available to anyone

They want it to be feasible and repairable. (Photo: SCORE))

Although they are still developing, the project is quite advanced. However, the researchers themselves realize that they cannot separate themselves from the first goal and that it cannot be a very complex tool. That is, it is preferable to be cheap and simple, if possible, realizable and repairable.

In order to ensure their accessibility and accessibility, they are getting in touch with people from each place to collect their contributions and, among them, achieve the goal. In fact, while the project's promoters and researchers are scientists at the British university, users are far from there and not only geographically.

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