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 disli/Stirling with average concentration ratio, which will supply a constant source temperature of 320 degrees C. Hence, the system design is based on a temperature difference of 300 degrees C, assuming that the sink is kept at 20 degrees 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 cm(3) for operating frequency 75 Hz with the power is 250 W and the dead volume is of 370 cm(3). (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.