A free-piston Stirling generator integrated with a parabolic trough collector for thermal-to-electric conversion of solar energy

Zhu, Shunmin; Gao, Yu; Ma, Ying; Cheng, Yangbin; Wang, Yalei; Yu, Shaofei; Wu, Zhanghua; Dai, Wei; Luo, Ercang

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.169

Cited by 46 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The Stirling engines use a closed regenerative thermal cycle, which means the working fluid is compressed and expanded cyclically at different temperatures provided by two heat sources to achieve a net conversion of heat to work, with higher efficiency, lower emissions, and more stable operation 10 ; adaptability and operability for multiple heat sources greatly expand the utilization range of Stirling engines. 11 However, it is more suitable for integration as a generator for its small starting torque and power, not being able to start autonomously, 12,13 light weight, and low maintenance cost. 14 In the traditional and most reciprocating piston engines, the movement of the piston is controlled by the crankshaft system or other deformation methods (free-piston type, etc.).…”

Section: Introducingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation analysis and performance optimization of the combustion process of the opposed cam piston engine

Tang

Zhang

et al. 2022

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C:

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Combining the structural features of cam engines and opposed engines, a kind of opposed cam piston engine is designed, in which a kind of variable sine curves family applied to the cam working surface. Based on the structure of this engine, a thermodynamic zero-dimensional model of the working cycle was established, and the accuracy of it was verified by the numerical simulation model utilizing the engine simulation software AVL BOOST. Based on the zero-dimensional model, the changes in the pressure, temperature, and quality of the working fluid in the cylinder under different cam profiles were calculated, and on this basis, the engine’s thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, overall machine efficiency, and power per liter were solved. Compared with common civil vehicle engines, OCPE has higher power per liter and has better economic performance and power performance.

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Section: Introducingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation analysis and performance optimization of the combustion process of the opposed cam piston engine

Tang

Zhang

et al. 2022

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C:

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“…The authors concluded that Tamanrasset in Algeria is a suitable site for solar electricity production. Zhu et al (Zhu et al, 2019) manufactured and tested a free piston Stirling engine combined with a parabolic trough collector. The optical and thermal losses of the Stirling engine/concentrated solar power system were analyzed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nodal Thermodynamic and Dynamic Analysis of a Free Displacer Stirling Engine

Çınar¹,

Özdemir²,

Karabulut³

et al. 2021

Isı Bilimi Ve Tekniği Dergisi

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In this study, the dynamic and thermodynamic features of free displacer Stirling engines were investigated by preparing a simulation program. The dynamic component of the simulation program involves the movement equations of power piston, crankshaft and displacer. The thermodynamic component is a nodal analysis based on 24 nodal volumes. The study indicates that starting these engines requires an initial speed is required as the displacer system natural frequency. While the engine is running, the displacer exhibits some secondary vibrations (named as beatings) and causes irregularities in its work and power generation however, it can be minimized by changing some working parameters such as displacer mass, working fluid mass, external loading, spring constant etc. For each value of the working fluid charging pressure, a different spring is needed. While the spring constant is the same, the displacer mass can vary in a limited range. The thermal performance of the engine increases as the displacer mass is decreasing. For an engine working between 1000 K heater temperature, 356 K cooler temperature and 18 bar charging pressure, the effective thermal efficiency ranges between 21 and 26 %. An engine with a 3.5 liter total inner volume is capable of generating about 3.9 kW effective power and 4.7 kW indicated power. A strong relation is observed between engine performance and phase angle.

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“…Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are among the most modern renewable energy systems currently used to harness solar energy [3], with near zero carbon emissions [4]. These CSP systems operate by using a number of mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays on a relatively small receiver.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, the rising global demand for electricity, which is predicted to continue, represents an enormous environmental risk, and how we choose to generate this electricity will be a key factor in determining the future energy policy of the European Union [2]. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are among the most modern renewable energy systems currently used to harness solar energy [3], with near zero carbon emissions [4]. These CSP systems operate by using a number of mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays on a relatively small receiver.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A validated energy model of a solar dish-Stirling system considering the cleanliness of mirrors

Buscemi¹,

Brano²,

Chiaruzzi³

et al. 2020

Applied Energy

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Solar systems based on the coupling of parabolic concentrating collectors and thermal engines (i.e. dish-Stirling systems) are among the most efficient generators of solar power currently available. This study focuses on the modelling of functioning data from a 32 kWe dish-Stirling solar plant installed at a facility test site on the University of Palermo campus, in Southern Italy. The proposed model, based on real monitored data, the energy balance of the collector and the partial load efficiency of the Stirling engine, can be used easily to simulate the annual energy production of such systems, making use of the solar radiation database, with the aim of encouraging a greater commercialisation of this technology. Introducing further simplifying assumptions based on our experimental data, the model can be linearised providing a new analytical expression of the parameters that characterise the widely used Stine empirical model. The model was calibrated against datacorresponding to the collector with clean mirrors and used to predict the net electric production of the dish-Stirling accurately. A numerical method for assessing the daily level of mirror soiling without the use of direct reflectivity measures was also defined. The proposed methodology was used to evaluate the history of mirror soiling for the observation period, which shows a strong correlation with the recorded sequence of rains and dust depositions. The results of this study emphasise how desert dust transport events, frequent occurrences in parts of the Mediterranean, can have a dramatic impact on the electric power generation of dish-Stirling plants.

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A free-piston Stirling generator integrated with a parabolic trough collector for thermal-to-electric conversion of solar energy

Cited by 46 publications

References 42 publications

Simulation analysis and performance optimization of the combustion process of the opposed cam piston engine

Simulation analysis and performance optimization of the combustion process of the opposed cam piston engine

Nodal Thermodynamic and Dynamic Analysis of a Free Displacer Stirling Engine

A validated energy model of a solar dish-Stirling system considering the cleanliness of mirrors

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