First experimental realization of a thermoacoustic-based flue-gas analyzer

Flue-gas analyzers are critical for various applications, including the optimization of combustion efficiency and air quality monitoring. While capable of accurately measuring gas concentrations, current sensors require frequent calibration, suffer short lifespans, and can be susceptible to inference from trace gases. In this report, we provide a first physical implementation of a thermoacoustic-based gas analyzer by investigating the sensitivity of a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine to variations in three different flue-gas components, CO₂, O₂, and N₂. Experimentally measured shifts in both the onset temperature difference and the fundamental resonance frequency with varying gas compositions confirm the feasibility of a thermoacoustic system for flue-gas analysis. The presented data paves the way for further exploration of this innovative approach, offering an efficient and cost-effective acoustic-based alternative to existing flue-gas analysis methodologies.