Improved Stirling engine performance through displacer surface treatment

This study intended to improve the performance of the beta‐type Stirling engine, being developed by the authors for solar energy and low‐grade heat sources, by means of displacer surface treatments. Three different displacers were manufactured and tested where one of them was without any surface treatment, other was zirconium coated with 0.15 mm thickness, and the other was helically knurled with 0.30 mm track depth. Because of good thermo‐physical properties, helium was used as the working fluid. The heat was supplied by an LPG burner. Tests were conducted at 360±10°C hot end temperature. The highest engine power was obtained with knurled displacer as 250 W at 545 rpm speed and corresponding to this power 4.38 Nm torque was obtained. This was followed by coated and smooth displacers. Power increments provided by the knurled displacer are 40 and 60% compared with the zirconium‐coated and untreated displacers. Increments of knurled displacer's torque compared with that of coated and untreated displacers are 13 and 30%, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nodal analysis of a Stirling engine with concentric piston and displacer

To reduce the external volume of Stirling engines and to increase the specific power per unit volume, a novel mechanical arrangement is used where the power cylinder is concentrically situated inside the displacer cylinder. The inner heat transfer surface requirement and the thermodynamic performance characteristics are predicted preparing a nodal analysis in FORTRAN, where the inner volume of the engine is divided into 103 cells. Variation of the temperature in cells is calculated using the first law of thermodynamics, given for unsteady open systems, after arranging the enthalpy inflow and outflow terms. Volumes of cells are calculated using kinematic relations devised for the driving mechanism.The analysis indicates that the heats received from and delivered to the regenerator are not equal to each other. Therefore, the ends of the regenerator should be coupled with a heater and a cooler. The maximum thermal efficiency appears at the minimum mass of working fluid as the minimum thermal efficiency appears at the maximum mass of working fluid. The work increases up to a certain value of working fluid and then decreases. The thermal efficiency increases until a certain value of regenerator area and then decreases as well. Fluid temperature in the hot volume and cooler differs from the wall temperature at significant rates.     

Optimum absorber temperature of a once-reflecting full conical concentrator of a low temperature differential Stirling engine

This paper provides a theoretical investigation on the optimum absorber temperature of a once-reflecting full conical concentrator for maximizing overall efficiency of a solar-powered low temperature differential Stirling engine. A mathematical model for the overall efficiency of the solar-powered Stirling engine is developed. The optimum absorber temperature for maximum overall efficiency for both limiting conditions of maximum possible engine efficiency and maximum possible engine power output is determined. The results indicated that the optimum absorber temperatures calculated from these two limiting cases are not significantly different. For a given concentrated solar intensity, the maximum overall efficiency characterized by the condition of maximum possible engine power output is very close to that of the real engine of 55% Carnot efficiency, approximately.     

Empirical estimation of regenerator efficiency for a low temperature differential Stirling engine

An experimental method of regenerator evaluation is proposed in this paper. The configuration of the experimental equipment used in the method is similar to that of an alpha-configuration Stirling engine with a phase angle of 180°. The temperature of the hot side heat exchanger is controlled by an electric heater, and the heat sink was room air. An air conditioner controlled the temperature of the room air. The temperature and pressure of the working fluid were measured during the piston motion. A #18 stainless steel mesh was used as a regenerator matrix for a low temperature differential Stirling engine (LTDSE). The regenerator efficiency can be calculated based on the measurement results. The product of the swept volume, the density of the working fluid, the specific heat and the difference in the working fluid temperatures between the hot side and the cold side is greater than the amount of the internal energy fluctuation. The reason for this is assumed to be the temperature fluctuation in the region between the two heat exchangers. The walls of the region are made of acrylic resin. The amount of the temperature fluctuation in the region is assumed to be uniform. The regenerator efficiency is calculated as a function of the temperature fluctuation in the region. The evaluation method does not require a fast-response thermocouple. The prediction of the regenerator efficiency is possible basted on some experimental results of same matrix. Polyurethane foam and #18 stainless steel mesh, layered parallel to the stream line of the working fluid, were each tested. These materials can realize a non-rectangular regenerator without the generation of waste. Non-rectangular regenerator includes regenerator that can be installed into narrow gaps. The regenerator efficiency of the stainless steel mesh layered parallel to the stream line of the working fluid was significantly less in comparison to that of the normal mesh layers. In the polyurethane foam case, a pressure loss was observed.     

Performance of a twin power piston low temperature differential Stirling engine powered by a solar simulator

This paper provides an experimental investigation on the performance of a low-temperature differential Stirling engine. In this study, a twin power piston, gamma-configuration, low-temperature differential Stirling engine is tested with non-pressurized air by using a solar simulator as a heat source. The engine testing is performed with four different simulated solar intensities. Variations of engine torque, shaft power and brake thermal efficiency with engine speed and engine performance at various heat inputs are presented. The Beale number, obtained from the testing of the engine, is also investigated. The results indicate that at the maximum simulated solar intensity of 7145 W/m², or heat input of 261.9 J/s, with a heater temperature of 436 K, the engine produces a maximum torque of 0.352 N m at 23.8 rpm, a maximum shaft power of 1.69 W at 52.1 rpm, and a maximum brake thermal efficiency of 0.645% at 52.1 rpm, approximately.     

Investigation on power output of the gamma-configuration low temperature differential Stirling engines

This paper provides a study on power output determination of a gamma-configuration, low temperature differential Stirling engine. The former works on the calculation of Stirling engine power output are discussed. Results from this study indicate that the mean pressure power formula is most appropriate for the calculation of a gamma-configuration, low temperature differential Stirling engine power output.     

Gas dynamic characteristic of displacer in Stirling cryocoolers

Based on the vector analysis of the dynamic characteristic of the displacer in split-type Stirling cryocoolers, experimental study was performed on a 2 W@80 K cooler to uncover the relationship among pressure fluctuation, damped impedance, inherent frequency, cold-tip temperature and the cooling performance. The result shows that the pressure amplitude and phase shift between pressure and displacer motion decrease when the cooling temperature decreases; the dynamic damp of the displacer increases at lower cooling temperature, which results in the increase of pressure drop of the regenerator, the decrease of average pressure of the cold cubage, the decrease of gas dynamic pressure, the decrease of phase shift between pressure and displacer motion, and the displacement of the regenerator and the PV power; at lower cooling temperature, the inherent frequency of the displacer increases because of the augmentation of gas spring constant. And as the inherent frequency is getting closer to the operating frequency, the drive current of the motor decreases; the piston of the compressor affects the displacer by the pressure fluctuation engendered by its motion, and the displacer reacts by changing the mass and momentum distribution to adjust the gas spring constant and the damp coefficient. __________ Translated from Cryogenics, 2007, 159(5): 10–14 [译自: 低温工程]     

Manufacturing and testing of a gamma type Stirling engine

In this study, a gamma type Stirling engine with 276 cc swept volume was designed and manufactured. The engine was tested with air and helium by using an electrical furnace as heat source. Working characteristics of the engine were obtained within the range of heat source temperature 700–1000 °C and range of charge pressure 1–4.5 bar. Maximum power output was obtained with helium at 1000 °C heat source temperature and 4 bar charge pressure as 128.3 W. The maximum torque was obtained as 2 N m at 1000 °C heat source temperature and 4 bar helium charge pressure. Results were found to be encouraging to initiate a Stirling engine project for 1 kW power output.     

Torque and power characteristics of a helium charged Stirling engine with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism

This study presents test results of a Stirling engine with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism. Tests were conducted with helium and the working fluid was charged into the engine block. The engine was loaded by means of a prony type micro dynamometer. The heat was supplied by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) burner. The engine started to run at 118 °C hot end temperature and the systematic tests of the engine were conducted at 180 °C, 220 °C and 260 °C hot end external surface temperatures. During the test, cold end temperature was kept at 27 °C by means of water circulation. Variation of the shaft torque and power with respect to the charge pressure and hot end temperature were examined. The maximum torque and power were measured as 3.99 Nm and 183 W at 4 bars charge pressure and 260 °C hot end temperature. Maximum power corresponded to 600 rpm speed.     

有限热源斯特林热机的优化性能研究

应用有限时间热力学方法,探索有限热源、热阻和回热损失的斯特林热机的优化性能,得到一些新的性能参数,所得结论可为斯特林热机的研制和优化设计提供些新理论指导。     

Design and manufacturing of a V-type Stirling engine with double heaters

Under the consideration of the solar energy potential of Turkey, a V-type Stirling engine having two heaters was designed, optimized and then manufactured. The prototype engine was tested in laboratory condition using an electrical heating system. Tests were conducted within the temperature range of 650–1000 °C with 50 °C increments. The pressure ranged from the ambient value to 2 bar with 0.5 bar increments at each stage of temperature. The maximum power was obtained at 950 °C and 1.0 bar charge pressure as 118 W.     

Experimental investigations of a gamma Stirling engine

The present work deals with the measurement and performance of a gamma Stirling engine of 500 W of mechanical shaft power and 600 rpm of maximal revolutions per minute. Series of measurements concerning the pressure distribution, temperature evolution, and brake power were performed. The study of the different functioning parameters such as initial charge pressure, engine velocity, cooling water flowrate, and temperature gradient (between the sources of heat) has been analyzed. The engine brake power increases with the initial charge pressure, with the cooling water flow, and with the engine revolutions per minute. The working fluid temperature measurements have been recorded in different locations symmetrically along both regenerator sides. The recorded temperature in regenerator side one is about 252 °C and about 174 °C in the opposite side (side two). It shows an asymmetric temperature distribution in the Stirling engine regenerator; consequently, heat transfer inside this porous medium is deteriorated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermodynamic analysis of onset characteristics in a miniature thermoacoustic Stirling engine

This paper analyzes the onset characteristics of a miniature thermoacoustic Stirling heat engine using the ther-modynamic analysis method. The governing equations of components are reduced from the basic thermodynamic relations and the linear thermoacoustic theory. By solving the governing equation group numerically, the oscillation frequencies and onset temperatures are obtained. The dependences of the kinds of working gas, the length of resonator tube, the diameter of resonator tube, on the oscillation frequency are calculated. Meanwhile, the influences of hydraulic radius and mean pressure on the onset temperature for different working gas are also presented. The calculation results indicate that there exists an optimal dimensionless hydraulic radius to obtain the lowest onset temperature, whose value lies in the range of 0.30 0.35 for different working gases. Furthermore, the amplitude and phase relationship of pressures and volume flows are analyzed in the time-domain. Some experiments have been performed to validate the calculations. The calculation results agree well with the experimental values. Finally, an error analysis is made, giving the reasons that cause the errors of theoretical calculations.     

The investigation of the effect of thermal barrier coating on the performance of Stirling engine

The shuttle heat transfer is one of the reasons reducing the performance of Stirling engines. This study is concerned with the reduction in shuttle heat transfer by coating the displacer. The displacer of a gamma type Stirling engine was coated with a layer of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and the effect of the coating on the engine performance was evaluated by comparing speed‐power and speed‐torque characteristics of the engine with coated and uncoated displacers. Characteristics were obtained for 700, 800 and 900°C heater temperatures. At each stage of the heater temperature, the charge pressure ranged from 1 to 3.5 bars with 0.5 bar increments. At 900°C heater temperature and 3 bars charge pressure, the shaft power before coating was 34.9 W, after coating the power increased to 43.8 W, which corresponds to a 25% increment. The temperature applied to the engine did not cause any damage on the coating layer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis and design consideration of mean temperature differential Stirling engine for solar application

This article presents a technical innovation, study of solar power system based on the Stirling dish (SD) technology and design considerations to be taken in designing of a mean temperature differential Stirling engine for solar application. The target power source will be solar dish/Stirling with average concentration ratio, which will supply a constant source temperature of 320 °C. Hence, the system design is based on a temperature difference of 300 °C, assuming that the sink is kept at 20 °C. During the preliminary design stage, the critical parameters of the engine design are determined according to the dynamic model with losses energy and pressure drop in heat exchangers was used during the design optimisation stage in order to establish a complete analytical model for the engine. The heat exchangers are designed to be of high effectiveness and low pressure-drop. Upon optimisation, for given value of difference temperature, operating frequency and dead volume there is a definite optimal value of swept volume at which the power is a maximum. The optimal swept volume of 75 cm³ for operating frequency 75 Hz with the power is 250 W and the dead volume is of 370 cm³.     

A four power-piston low-temperature differential Stirling engine using simulated solar energy as a heat source

In this paper, the performances of a four power-piston, gamma-configuration, low-temperature differential Stirling engine are presented. The engine is tested with air at atmospheric pressure by using a solar simulator with four different solar intensities as a heat source. Variations in engine torque, shaft power and brake thermal efficiency with engine speed and engine performance at various heat inputs are presented. The Beale number obtained from the testing of the engine is also investigated. The results indicate that at the maximum actual energy input of 1378 W and a heater temperature of 439 K, the engine approximately produces a maximum torque of 2.91 N m, a maximum shaft power of 6.1 W, and a maximum brake thermal efficiency of 0.44% at 20 rpm.     

某型号柴油机低温起动性能优化

基于缸内燃烧理论对某型号柴油机低温起动困难问题进行分析,提出提高压缩比、采取不同进气加热方式、优化气门间隙3种措施提升缸内温度,并对改进后柴油机开展低温起动性能对比试验.结果 表明:采用高压缩比可明显提升缸内压缩温度,利于改善低温起动性能;分缸加热可明显提升进气温度,相同加热时间下,分缸加热比格栅加热进气温度提升约53...     

碟式斯特林发动机的研究进展

太阳能的利用和斯特林发动机的研发符合目前解决全球能源危机问题的需要。对斯特林热机的发展过程和循环工作原理进行了总结,综述了国内外对于碟式斯特林发电技术的应用现状,归纳了碟式斯特林发电系统中太阳光跟踪控制系统、接收器聚热技术、斯特林发动机功率控制技术和斯特林发动机密封技术等关键技术的研究成果和应用现状,总结并展望了碟式斯特林发电技术的发展重心,为进一步的研究工作提供参考。     

斯特林发动机的绝热分析

用绝热分析法建立并模拟了斯特林循环的理想绝热模型,仿真结果显示,增大循环压力能提高斯特林发动机的做功能力,这为以后建立非理想绝热模型和节点分析模型奠定了基础.     

Optimization of Stirling engine performance based on an experimental design approach

The Stirling engine performances depend on several physicals characteristics and functioning parameters. The influence of each parameter and of their interactions is difficult to achieve with classical univariate studies. The experimental design is an alternative to identify the parameters sets allowing optimal Stirling engine performances. Hence, a four factor Central Composite Rotatable Design was used to observe the effect of cooling water flowrate, initial charge pressure, heating temperature, and operation time on a Stirling engine brake power. The influence of each parameter and the effect of the interaction between two or three parameters on the engine performances are presented and discussed. Using the surface response method, it appears that initial charge pressure and heating temperature are the more influencing parameters on the Stirling engine performances. With modeling, optimal conditions for the Stirling engine functioning are the following: charge pressure of 8 bar, heating temperature of 500 °C, and cooling water flow rates of 7.34 l/min, independent of the engine operation time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.