Investigation of effect of heat exchanger size on power output in low-temperature difference Stirling engines

University of Alberta, Mechanical Engineering Department, 9211 116 Street NW, Canada

^* Corresponding author: dnobes@ualberta.ca

Abstract

The Stirling engine is capable of converting any source of thermal energy into kinetic energy, which makes it an attractive option for utilizing low-temperature sources such as geothermal or waste heat below 100 °C. However, at these low temperatures, the effects of losses are proportionally higher due to the lower thermal potential available. One such significant loss is excess dead volume, wherein a significant contributor is the heat exchangers. The heat exchangers must be selected to optimize power output by minimizing the dead volume loss while maximizing the heat transfer to and from the engine. To better understand what the optimal geometry of the heat exchanger components is, a Stirling engine is modelled using a third-order commercial modelling software (Sage) and trends of engine properties of power, temperature, and pressure for different heat exchanger geometries are observed. The results indicate that there is an optimum heat exchanger volume and geometry for low temperature Stirling engines. This optimum is also affected by other engine properties, such as regenerator size and engine speed. These results provide insight into the optimal geometry of these components for low-temperature Stirling engines, as well as providing design guidance for future engines to be built.