A study of the reliability of Stirling engines for distributed receiver systems
The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of existing and improved Stirling engine concepts for dispersed solar dish/electric applications in the 25--50 kW/sub e/ range. Five current kinematic Stirling engine designs have the capability to meet or exceed the 32% system efficiency goal of the DOE Solar Thermal Program. Experience with the Vanguard Solar-Dish/Stirling Engine module demonstrated that the 32% efficiency goal is realistic, but that improved Stirling engine reliability is necessary for successful implementation of dispersed solar power systems. A review of historical Stirling engine data illustrated that the three major reliability issues with kinematic Stirling engines are the piston-rod seals, engine hot parts and power control/drive systems. A specific kinematic engine concept that appears to have the potential for meeting the 50,000-hour operating lifetime requirement of solar power systems has a pressurized crankcase to reduce piston-rod seal problems, an indirectly heated hot-end section using heat pipes to smooth out temperature gradients in the heater tubes, and a variable-angle swashplate for power control. Further development efforts are required to establish reliability and validate performance goals of these engine concepts. 30 refs., 13 figs., 8 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789; W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6799700
- Report Number(s):
- SAND88-7028; ON: DE89006395
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320201 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Air & Aerospace
COST
CSP
Concentrating Solar Power
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENGINEERING DRAWINGS
ENGINES
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
MAINTENANCE
MECHANICS
PERFORMANCE
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SPACE VEHICLE COMPONENTS
SPECIFICATIONS
STIRLING ENGINES