New studies suggest that it may soon be feasible to power your electronic devices using camping stoves, an item you likely carry with you while enjoying the outdoors. Researchers are examining how to utilize the extra heat generated by these stoves to create a thermoacoustic engine. This engine can change thermal energy into sound energy, and that sound energy can subsequently be converted into mechanical or electrical energy. When fine-tuned, these engines can output power from several watts to several thousand watts, depending on their dimensions.
Camping is a fantastic time to disconnect from technology and embrace nature, but it can be tough to forgo some essential gadgets—like cellphones, radios, lanterns, and portable chargers. Research conducted by Lixian Guo at the University of Canterbury is exploring how to keep all these devices charged using a camping staple: the camping stove.
Guo’s research is concentrated on converting the surplus heat produced by camping stoves into a thermoacoustic engine (TAE). These TAEs effectively transform thermal energy into sound energy, which can then be converted into mechanical or electrical energy. Once optimized, these machines can produce power output that varies from tens to thousands of watts, depending on their size.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Guo will share findings about a mathematical model of a portable outdoor engine powered by waste heat. This will take place during the virtual 187th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, happening from Nov. 18-22, 2024.
The research team’s work encompasses simulations and analyses of test data from the waste heat generated by typical camping gas stoves, aiming to create a compact outdoor TAE that effectively captures waste heat.
Guo has highlighted the adaptability of this technology.
“We’ve explored its possibilities for camping, backpacking, and emergency scenarios, as it can harness any heat source, including leftover heat from combustion or solar energy.”
The research ultimately seeks to build a foundation for more efficient energy conversion devices, with important potential uses in aviation, marine engineering, and industrial waste heat recovery. By effectively utilizing waste heat, TAEs could significantly contribute to sustainable energy practices across various industries.
Guo recognizes the challenges associated with this research but sees it as a valuable opportunity for further development.
“There are definitely hurdles in this research, especially related to stability and energy loss. However, these challenges also open doors for greater investigation.”
As scientists continue to enhance thermoacoustic technology, the potential for energy savings and sustainable practices is substantial, offering promising prospects for the future.
“Back in the 1990s, researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the U.S. conducted intriguing studies on thermoacoustic engines to recover waste heat from ships for refrigeration systems to keep ice cream stored. I hope that my research will help pave the way for the creation of more efficient energy conversion devices in the years to come,” Guo stated.
