Stirling engines and irrigation pumping
This report was prepared in support of the Renewable Energy Applications and Training Project sponsored by the US Agency for International Development for which ORNL provides technical assistance. It briefly outlines the performance that might be achievable from various kinds of Stirling-engine-driven irrigation pumps. Some emphasis is placed on the very simple liquid-piston engines that have been the subject of research in recent years and are suitable for manufacture in less well-developed countries. In addition to the results quoted here (possible limits on M/sup 4/ and pumping head for different-size engines and various operating conditions), the method of calculation is described in sufficient detail for engineers to apply the techniques to other Stirling engine designs for comparison. The liquid-piston Fluidyne is a form of Stirling engine sharing many of the characteristics of conventional kinematic and free-piston Stirling machines. The use of liquid pistons, however, gives it some unique advantages as well as certain problems that are not encountered or are not important in engines with solid pistons. Because the output is naturally available in the form of an oscillating liquid flow or a fluctuating pressure, the Fluidyne is well suited to liquid pumping, but other applications have also been considered. 27 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6281973
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-10475; ON: DE88000020
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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