Assessment of Stirling engine potential in total and integrated energy systems
The development of Stirling engines for stationary power applications in Total Energy Systems is attractive for two main reasons: high potential engine efficiency, and fuel flexibility especially in the use of coal and coal-derived fuels. Total Energy applications are unique in that they offer an option for using fuel energy most effectively on a local basis by recovering the rejected heat from electric power generation to meet thermal requirements within a community. These thermal requirements include space heating, cooling, and hot water service demands. The advantages and disadvantages of large Stirling engines in Total, or Integrated, Energy Systems are discussed and the performance and cost characteristics of such engines are analyzed and compared with the main competitors (diesel engines and gas turbines) for such applications. The comparisons are made through simplified and detailed systems analyses. Lastly, based on the systems studied and intercomparisons of competing technologies, the requirements for the development of a large Stirling engine are outlined along with a suggested developmental program. From this study it is clear that, given the attributes of the competing technologies involved, the main advantage of the Stirling engine lies in its ability to use fuels other than distillates. This attribute must be developed further in order to provide engine technologies which can burn abundant fuels such as coal or coal-derived fuels. Secondarily, the potentially high efficiency of Stirlings would be especially advantageous in applications where a high electrical-to-thermal-energy demand ratio exists.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6162161
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ES-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
42 ENGINEERING
ICES
STIRLING ENGINES
ECONOMICS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
AIR CONDITIONING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIESEL ENGINES
EXHAUST GASES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUELS
GAS TURBINES
GRAPHS
HEAT RECOVERY
SPACE HEATING
TABLES
DATA
DATA FORMS
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENGINES
GASEOUS WASTES
HEAT ENGINES
HEATING
INFORMATION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NUMERICAL DATA
RECOVERY
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WASTES
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Consumption
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290800 - Energy Planning & Policy- Heat Utilization- (1980-)
425003 - Engineering- Power Cycles- Stirling- (1980-)