Enhancing Thermo-Acoustic Waste Heat Recovery through Machine Learning: A Comparative Analysis of Artificial Neural Network–Particle Swarm Optimization, Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System, and Artificial Neural Network Models

Miniyenkosi Ngcukayitobi, Lagouge Kwanda Tartibu, Flávio Bannwart

Waste heat recovery stands out as a promising technique for tackling both energy shortages and environmental pollution. Currently, this valuable resource, generated through processes like fuel combustion or chemical reactions, is often dissipated into the environment, despite its potential to significantly contribute to the economy. To harness this untapped potential, a traveling-wave thermo-acoustic generator has been designed and subjected to comprehensive experimental analysis. Fifty-two data corresponding to different working conditions of the system were extracted to build ANN, ANFIS, and ANN-PSO models. Evaluation of performance metrics reveals that the ANN-PSO model demonstrates the highest predictive accuracy (R2=0.9959), particularly in relation to output voltage. This research demonstrates the potential of machine learning techniques for the analysis of thermo-acoustic systems. In doing so, it is possible to obtain an insight into nonlinearities inherent to thermo-acoustic systems. This advancement empowers researchers to forecast the performance characteristics of alternative configurations with a heightened level of precision.