Solar-powered Stirling engine: Difference between revisions
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== Comparison to Solar Panels == |
== Comparison to Solar Panels == |
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'''Solar-powered Stirling engines''' are in some situations more efficient in generating electrical energy then solar panels.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160528054708/http://www.promes.cnrs.fr/index.php?page=envirodish</ref> Thermal capacity and rotating mass result in less sudden changes in output power. Experiments show the possibility of higher efficiencies.<ref>https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Stirlingmotor-befluegelt-Solarkraftwerke-916656.html</ref> |
'''Solar-powered Stirling engines''' are in some situations more efficient in generating electrical energy then solar panels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.promes.cnrs.fr/index.php?page=envirodish|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160528054708/http://www.promes.cnrs.fr/index.php?page=envirodish|archive-date = 2016-05-28|title = Envirodish - Promes}}</ref> Thermal capacity and rotating mass result in less sudden changes in output power. Experiments show the possibility of higher efficiencies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Stirlingmotor-befluegelt-Solarkraftwerke-916656.html|title = Stirlingmotor beflügelt Solarkraftwerke}}</ref> |
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'''Solar-powered Stirling engines''' are less scalable then solar panels. |
'''Solar-powered Stirling engines''' are less scalable then solar panels. |
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Revision as of 20:47, 24 December 2021
A solar powered Stirling engine is a heat engine powered by a temperature gradient generated by the sun. Even-tough stirling engines can run with a small temperature gradient, it is more efficient to use Concentrated solar power.
The mechanical output can be used directly (e.g. pumps) or be used to create electricity.
NASA
NASA patented a type of solar-powered Stirling engine on August 3, 1976. It used solar energy to pump water from a river, lake, or stream.[1] The purpose of this apparatus is to “provide a low-cost, low-technology pump having particular utility in irrigation systems employed in underdeveloped arid regions of the earth…[using] the basic principles of the Stirling heat engine“.[1]
Meijer
One design was patented by Roelf J. Meijer in 1987.[2] His invention combines a heat engine, such as a Stirling cycle engine, with a solar dish collector to produce electricity.[2] This apparatus consists of a large dish that concentrates solar energy to a focal point at the center of the dish. The concentrated solar energy drives Stirling cycle engine,[2] which operates by letting heat flow from a hot source to a cold sink to do work.[3] The work output of the Stirling cycle then drives a generator to create electric power. Moreover, for optimal heat collection, Meijer’s solar-powered engine requires that the dish always point directly at the sun so no shadows are in the solar dish collector. This presented issues because, for the apparatus to have a complete range of motion, lubrication and rotational systems are necessary, and may compromise structural stability.[2]
Sunvention
Around 2010, a company called Sunvention Solar Energy created a device similar to the NASA design that they say can pump 100,000 gallons per day, purely off of solar energy and the Stirling cycle, and costing only US$1,250 [4] This apparatus, much like the others, uses a large solar dish to collect heat from the sun to create a high temperature source, and also uses low temperature water from a nearby stream as its low temperature source. This provides a great temperature range, which in turn provides more power.[4] The work in Sunvention’s apparatus pumps the water into nearby crop fields, providing a “low-cost, low-technology pump having particular utility in irrigation systems employed in underdeveloped arid regions of the earth.” [4]
Comparison to Solar Panels
Solar-powered Stirling engines are in some situations more efficient in generating electrical energy then solar panels.[5] Thermal capacity and rotating mass result in less sudden changes in output power. Experiments show the possibility of higher efficiencies.[6]
Solar-powered Stirling engines are less scalable then solar panels. They are also more complex then a solar-electric system.
Solar-powered Stirling engines can have a secondary heat source (e.g. Gas), allowing operation during night and when the sky is clouded.
See also
References
- ^ a b US3972651A, Fletcher, James & Kirsten, Charles, "Solar-powered pump", published August 3, 1976
- ^ a b c d US4707990A, Meijer, Roelf, "Solar-powered Stirling engine", published November 24, 1987
- ^ Moran, Michael (2011), Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Hoboken NJ, pp. 72–73
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c Ardron, Mitra (October 28, 2010), Sunvention Sunpulse Water (PDF), retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ^ "Envirodish - Promes". Archived from the original on 2016-05-28.
- ^ "Stirlingmotor beflügelt Solarkraftwerke".
External links
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