Performance Characteristics of A Gamma Type Stirling Engine Using Fresnel Lens

IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)
Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm

Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441
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Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2016
Performance characteristics of a Gamma type

Stirling engine using Fresnel lens.
Bhushan Dewangan1, Krishanu Ganguly*2, Sumit Banerjee3 , Rajeev Kumar4
1
Bhushan Dewangan
2
Krishanu Ganguly
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, BIT Mesra, Ranchi
*Corresponding Author
3
Sumit Banerjee
Rajeev Kumar
ABSTRACT
In this study, a gamma type Stirling engine was tested for its performance using a solar radiation concentrator. The displacer
cylinder of the engine was constructed so that the cylinder head can be detached from the engine body. The engines
performance tests were conducted for three different materials i.e. cast iron, aluminium and brass. The displacer cylinder head
was made up of these three materials separately and was fitted to the displacer cylinder of the engine and tested. Of the three
displacer cylinder materials, aluminium provided the best performance and followed by brass and cast iron respectively. 72.5 W
was the maximum shaft power observed on conducting the test with the displacer cylinder made up of aluminium. 345 rpm
engine speed and 2.01 Nm torque were the corresponding values for the maximum shaft power obtained using aluminium as
displacer cylinder material. Fresnel lens of capture area 1.6 m2 was used for concentration of solar radiation on the displacer
cylinder.
Keywords: Stirling engine, speed, torque, power
1. INTRODUCTION
The researchers started working on conversion of solar energy to power from 1870; John Ericson initiated the work.
After the development in the petroleum industry and the invention of I.C. engines, the focus on the solar power sector
decreased. The solar energy application for power generation was again stimulated after the petrol crisis in the year of
1973 [1]. The projects initiated in two different sectors; photovoltaic and thermal energy technologies. Photovoltaic
works on the conversion of the direct sunlight to electricity via special type materials. Generally, amorphous silicon
cells are used as a photovoltaic material. For thermal energy technologies, different thermodynamic systems and
generators are used to convert the solar thermal energy to electricity. Some of the thermal energy technologies are
parabolic trough, power tower etc. Parabolic trough is used to concentrate the solar thermal radiation to a pipe; which is
used to heat a fluid flowing through the pipe. This generates steam, which is utilized to run steam turbine and generate
electricity [2]. In power tower or solar tower, there are group of mirrors, which reflect the incident radiation to a
receiver placed on top of a tower.
Another system recently on focus is engine systems. These systems are made by assembling a parabolic dish
concentrator, a receiver and a heat engine. Here, a Stirling engine is used. The parabolic dish concentrates the radiation
from the sun into the receiver and the engine generates the mechanical work by converting the concentrated solar
energy and then, generates electricity by generator.
Large Stirling engine system, which were constructed before 1990 were usually charged with Helium or hydrogen.
The expected performance was observed at a temperature more than 700oC [3]. The charging pressure of the working
fluid to the engine was more than 100 bars. Using this system had been very expensive and installation had difficultly
and complexity, so these systems had abandoned. Recently the work is focused on the low cost, simple structured solar
energy conversion system [4]. The main focus on Low Temperature Differential engines is having scope in recent
situation.
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Parabolic concentrators used in Stirling system may provide a concentration ratio of more than 3000. Reflection
effectiveness of 70-80% was observed with the parabolic dishes back silvered glasses [5]. Receivers are designed with
different shapes as hemispherical, cylindrical, conical etc. ordinary receivers with no perfect absorptive surface; the
efficiency observed was not less than 40% [6]. Efficient receivers used for solar Stirling application are having
efficiency between 65-90 %. In these systems, the solar radiation is absorbed by the tubes, in which the working gas
circulates. Stirling engine system or dish technology has an annual 18% efficiency for the conversion of solar to
electricity [7].
The exhaust gases produced by I.C. engines and thermal power plants have negative effect on human health and
environment; causes hazard to human life and to the all living-things [7]-[8]. Generation of electricity by the use of
solar energy is a green energy method, as it will reduce the generation of harmful gases in the environment. There is a
possibility of the success in the field of electric vehicles and that will take place of the fuel-powered vehicles. This will
reduce air pollution as well as will increase the energy demand and the competitiveness of the solar power will
increase.
In this study, a Gamma type Stirling engine [7]-[9] is used. Because the gamma type Stirling engine is capable of
working in low temperature difference between the hot and cold end of the displacer cylinder & its construction of this
type of Stirling engine is less complex as compared to the other two configurations of Stirling engine.
2. EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES
In the experiment, a gamma type Stirling engine with no regenerator was used by modifying the displacer cylinder of
the engine. [1, 10] Though gamma type Stirling engine has two separate cylinders, one is power cylinder and other is
the displacer cylinder, no modifications were required for the power cylinder. The heating and cooling of the working
fluid allows it to pass through the gap between the displacer cylinder and displacer piston to the power cylinder through
a narrow passage and vice versa [11]. The technical specifications of the engine used for testing are given in Table 1.
Table 1: Technical specifications of engine
Parameters
Engine type
Displacer piston
Power piston
Power cylinder
Displacer cylinder
Working fluid
Cooling system
Specification
Gamma type Stirling engine
Bore x stroke (mm)
Swept volume (cc)
Material
Bore x stroke (mm)
Swept volume (cc)
Material
Material
Material
Air
Water Cooled
50 x 40
78.5
Cast Iron
40 x 40
50.24
Cast Iron
Cast Iron
Cast Iron
The displacer cylinder consists of two main parts; first its a hollow cylinder in which both sides are open and one side
is with internal threads at its ends on the hot end & second one is an attachment which has a circular cross section with
external threads at one side and other side is flat and is suitable for heating purpose [12]. The hollow cylinder was
made of cast iron. The attachment was manufactured from different materials i.e. aluminium, brass and cast iron
separately.
The displacer cylinder hot end temperature was measured by a thermocouple attached to its hot end. Temperatures were
measured with a MASTECH MS6550B, a laser target pointer with a temperature resolution of 0.1 C, which can
measure up to 650 C. The torque of the engine was measured by a brake dynamometer with a strain gauge load cell
sensor [13]. The accuracy of the dynamometer is 0.010 Nm. The engine speed was measured by a digital tachometer,
DT-2234C with 1 rpm accuracy [14]. The pressure of the working fluid was measured by means of a Bourdon tube
pressure gauge mounted onto the hot end of the displacer cylinder of the engine. Waco 206 pyranometer was used to
measure the solar radiation. The solar radiation was directly concentrated on the hot end of the displacer cylinder
through the Fresnel lens assembled along with the engine being tested [15].
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Figure 1 Gamma type Stirling engine

ISSN 2321-6441
Figure 2 Modified displacer cylinder hot end
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The first engine test was done using aluminium as the material for the hot end displacer cylinder. The illustration of
engine speed versus power and engine speed versus torque curves is given in fig. 3 for aluminium. The solar radiation
density noted during the steady condition of the experiment was about 932 W/m2. The solar energy incident on the
engine was calculated to be 1491 W since the capture area of the Fresnel lens was 1.6 m2. The outer wall temperature
of the aluminium cylinder head was about 440oC. At 6 bar pressure, the maximum power of 72.5 W was obtained,
which gradually decreased with increase in the charge pressure. This maximum power appears at 345 rpm and
maximum torque of 2.54 Nm at about 175 rpm. From the curves, the maximum values of power and torque do not
coincide for same speed. Vibrations were caused in the set up below certain engine speed i.e. about 175 rpm, resulting
into engine stops due to increased fluctuation in speed.
Figure 3 Engine power and torque obtained with aluminium at about 932 W/m2 of solar radiation
After the tests of the aluminium made attachment were finished, a cast iron made attachment had the same
dimensions with aluminium made attachment, which was manufactured and tested. Figure shows the speed versus
power and speed versus torque curves obtained with the cast iron made attachment. The experiments were conducted at
about 810 W/m2 of solar radiation. The maximum power was obtained as 39.5 W at 5 bar charge pressure and 337 rpm
engine speed. The maximum torque obtained as 1.4 Nm at 174 rpm engine speed. The hot end temperature of the
displacer cylinder was measured as 210 C, which was significantly lower than that of the aluminium made attachment,
although, the aluminium made attachment and cast iron made attachment has the same dimensions. This indicates that
the cast iron made attachment had more loss of energy due to the thermal radiation & back reflection. Both the cast
iron made attachment & aluminium made attachment did not arrest the all of the solar radiation which was
concentrated by Fresnel lens. Some of the concentrated radiation moved outside of the aperture of the attachment made
due to the Fresnel lens had suffered a deflection. The vibration within the whole system was the main reason for the
reduction in receiving of the solar radiation which was coming outside the aperture.
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Figure 4 Engine power and torque obtained with cast iron at about 810 W/m2 of solar radiation
Finally, the hot end cylinder material of brass was manufactured and tested. The dimensions were kept all same so
that obtained values can be compared with no partiality. The same Fresnel lens of same capture area was used to
incident the solar radiation on the hot end of the displacer cylinder i.e. made of brass. The illustration of engine speed
versus power and engine speed versus torque curves is given in fig. 5 for brass. The noted solar radiation for same
capture area of the Fresnel lens was 800 W/m2. The wall temperature of the hot end brass material was measured as
180oC. At 4.5 bar charge pressure, 24.2 W was the maximum power obtained which was about 352 rpm engine speed
while the maximum torque of 0.9 Nm was obtained at the engine speed of 172 rpm.
Figure 5 Engine power and torque obtained with brass at about 800 W/m2 of solar radiation.
4. CONCLUSION
The displacer cylinder was manufactured with a provision of detachable end. The displacer cylinder was made up of
cast iron. The hot end of displacer cylinder was made up of three different materials i.e. aluminium, cast iron and brass.
Fresnel lens of capture area 1.6 m2 was used to concentrate the solar radiation on to the hot end of the displacer
cylinder for all three different materials. Aluminium, as the hot end material, provided maximum shaft power of 72.5
W at an engine speed of 345 rpm & the highest torque of 2.4 Nm at an engine speed of 175 rpm when compared with
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cast iron and brass as the hot end displacer cylinder material. Below speeds corresponding to the highest torque for all
the three materials, resulted to vibration and ultimately engine stops.
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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm

A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2016