Thermal analysis of Stirling engine solar driven

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the more attractive renewable energy sources; the conversion of the latter per thermal way into electricity is a major energy stake. The current systems are primarily based on technology known as ‘solar dish/Stirling’, which uses Stirling engines placed at the focal plan of a parabolic concentrator. The Stirling engine presents an excellent theoretical output equivalent to the output of Carnot one. It is with external combustion, less pollutant, silencer and request little maintenance. Thanks to these advantages which the Stirling engine is very interesting to study. The dish Stirling system studies consist on three parts; the thermal modelling of Stirling engine, optical study of parabolic concentrator and finally the thermal study of the receiver. The present study is dedicated only to a thermal modelling of the Stirling engine based on the decoupled method. We evaluate, starting from an ideal adiabatic analysis, the thermal and mechanical powers exchanged, that we correct then by calculating the various losses within the machine. This model led to the writing of important set of equations algebra - differentials. The calculation programme worked out under Fortran to solve this system, makes allow to calculate the performances of any types of the Stirling engines, according to the kinematics used, the types of regenerators, the exchangers, as well as the various working liquids used.