Acoustic streaming in annular thermoacoustic prime-movers

The theory of acoustic streaming in an annular thermoacoustic prime-mover i s developed. It is predicted that above the threshold for traveling wave ex citation the device considered (which does not contain any moving parts or externally imposed pressure gradients) produces circulation of fluid. The h eat Aux carried by this directional mass flow inside the thermoacoustic sta ck exceeds (or is comparable with) the heat flux associated with the acoust ically induced increase of thermal diffusivity of the gas. The effects inve stigated are important for optimization of the performance of thermoacousti c devices. (C) 2000 Acoustical Society of America.[S0001-4966(00)00309-X].