Thermoacoustic heat pumps on the verge of commercial breakthrough(www.pv-magazine.com)
12 pointsby simonebrunozzi7 hours ago1 comment
  • slwvx7 hours ago
    For context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoacoustic_heat_engine

    The company cited in the article is [Bluehart](https://blueheartenergy.com/our-technology)

    One disadvantage that Bluehart lists of classic heat pumps is the need for a refrigerant fluid. But Bluehar uses helium internally; I wonder how often the helium would need to be replaced.

    • allears6 hours ago
      I thought that helium was in short supply. Would that make these things expensive? Also, I know they said it's quiet, but if the thing operates on a 60hz cycle, wouldn't that create a pervasive hum?
      • rprwhite4 hours ago
        Yeah, I was also under the impression helium was in very short supply. The article doesn’t mention that, at all. But it does say the unit is quiet because it operates at a constant frequency, so they can use noise cancellation very effectively.