Losses effect on the performance of a Gamma type Stirling engine

In this paper, irreversible processes in solar powered Gamma type Stirling engine have been investigated in order to highlight the impact of losses on provided mechanical power and its performance. This analysis is based on the Finite Speed Thermodynamics and Isothermal methods, considering mass and energy balances through different spaces of Stirling engine and losses due to regenerator imperfections, piston finite speed, hysteresis, clearance seal leakage, heat conduction, displacer shuttle and viscous friction phenomenon which are coupled together and are calculated at each time step. Simulation results are compared with experimental results obtained in our laboratory and from the literature. Energy and exergy analysis show that the two most important dissipations in this engine are the regenerator imperfection and the clearance leakage. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.