Stirling engines work by expanding and contracting gas in a piston, just like other kinds of engines such as petrol, diesel and steam engines. The big difference is that the gas Stirling engines use is completely self-contained or ‘closed’ so does not need to come from some sort of fuel source (like igniting petrol, or steam from a boiler). All you need to get a Stirling engine to go is a temperature difference of some sort that expands and contracts the enclosed gas.
The easiest way to produce a high-temperature difference is to burn things like waste material, oil, gas, hydrogen, etc. Burning a wide variety of stuff may be very handy, but tends not particularly environmentally friendly. Since only a temperature difference is required, you could use solar power or other naturally occurring heat sources to run a Stirling engine.
Stirling engines can be very energy efficient (more than 50% in some cases which is better than most high-efficiency gas or steam turbines and way better than internal combustion engines, which struggle to reach 25%), so even the ones designed to burn fuel produces less pollution than other types of engine.
The Stirling engine is noted for its high efficiency compared to steam engines, quiet operation, and the ease with which it can use almost any heat source. This compatibility with alternative and renewable energy sources has become increasingly significant as the price of conventional fuels rises, and also in light of concerns such as peak oil and climate change. This engine is currently exciting interest as the core component of micro combined heat and power (CHP) units, in which it is more efficient and safer than a comparable steam engine.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Stirling Engine
Advantages
- Various heat sources (solar, geothermal, nuclear energy, waste heat, biological)
- Environmental friendly
- Heat is external and the burning of a fuel-air mixture can be more accurately controlled.
- Operates at relatively low pressure and thus are much safer than typical steam turbines
- Less manpower is needed to operate any type of commercial Stirling engine.
- The price: its cost is probably the most important problem, it is not yet competitive with other means well established.
- The ignorance of this type of engine by the general public. Only a few fans know it exists. It is, therefore, necessary to promote it.
- The variety of models prevents standardization and, consequently, lower prices.
- Sealing problems
- Heat transfers with gas are delicate and often require bulky apparatuses.
- The lack of flexibility.
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