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Stirling Engine: Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

The document discusses the Stirling engine, including its history of being invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 as an alternative to steam engines. It operates using a Stirling cycle of compression and expansion of air or gas between a hot and cold side of the engine. The summary explains the basic working principle and efficiency of the Stirling cycle, and describes the main types of Stirling engines. It covers applications, advantages, disadvantages and concludes that Stirling engines have potential but need more research.

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anupam das
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36 views12 pages

Stirling Engine: Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

The document discusses the Stirling engine, including its history of being invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 as an alternative to steam engines. It operates using a Stirling cycle of compression and expansion of air or gas between a hot and cold side of the engine. The summary explains the basic working principle and efficiency of the Stirling cycle, and describes the main types of Stirling engines. It covers applications, advantages, disadvantages and concludes that Stirling engines have potential but need more research.

Uploaded by

anupam das
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dept.

of Mechanical
Engineering
Colloquium
Presentation on

Stirling Engine
Introduction

• A Stirling engine is an external combustion engine


unlike the CI and SI engines
• A Stirling engine is a heat engine that is operated by
a cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas
( working fluid ) at different temperatures, resulting
in a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical work.
• A regenerator is also used sometimes
History

• Invented by Robert Stirling (1790-1878)


• Sought to replace the steam engines of his days due to
frequent explosions caused by unsustainable high pressure
injuring and sometimes killing workers.
• Robert Stirling invented the Stirling engine in 1816 which
could not explode and worked quite efficiently. There was not
changing working fluid invlolved.
Fig. Stirling Engine
Basic Working Principle

• The main and most basic principle underlying the


working of a Stirling engine is the difference of
temperature on two sides of the cylinder of Stirling
engine.
• Every Stirling engine has a sealed cylinder with one
part hot and other cold.
• The working fluid inside the engine is moved by a
mechanism from hot side to cold side.
• It can also work in reverse i.e if it is run using a motor
it can cool as well as act as a heat pump.
Stirling Cycle

• Stirling engine works on a Stirling cycle


• A Stirling Cycle consists of four main stages

1. Isothermal expansion 1-2


2. Isochoric heat removal 2-3
3. Isothermal compression 3-4
4. Isochoric heat addition 4-1
The 4 Stages of Working
Efficiency of a Stirling Cycle

Wnet  Qin  Qout


Process 2-3 and 4-1 are isothermal
process therefore workdone, W net  Qin  Qout
V3 Wnet
Qin  PV
2 2 ln( ) 
V2 Qin
V Qout
 nRT ln( 3 )  1
V2 Qin
Similarly,
V4
nRTC ln( )
V4 V1
Qout  nRTC ln( )   1
V1 V3
nRTH ln( )
V2
TC Same as Carnot
  1
TH Efficiency
Types of a Stirling Engine

• There are mainly three types of Stirling Engine


They are distinguished by the type working fluid
moves between hot and cold sections
1. Alpha type
2. Beta type
3. Gamma type

Fig. Alpha type Fig. Beta type Fig. Gamma type


Application

• A Stirling engine has many uses


1. Submarines
2. In air planes to cool at higher altitudes
3. In cryogenic applications
4. As a heat pump
Pros and Cons
Advantages Disadvantages
• Few moving parts, limiting • High cost and reliability
wear on components and issues;
reducing vibration levels; • Low electrical efficiency.
• Constant burning of fuel as • Bulky compared to other
opposed to pulsed types of engines for same
combustion reduces noise; power output.
• Low emissions of NOx and
unburned fuel;
• Fuel versatility.
• Small size and quiet
operation
Conclusion

Stirling engine has huge potential as a device, but due


to high initials costs and limited research this type of
engine has seen very little changes.
With advancements in technology and material
science and the shifting trend towards alternative
cleaner energy sources Stirling engines might make a
comeback in the mainstream.

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