振動型蒸気エンジンの数値解析

抄録

An oscillating steam engine has been expected as a low cost and efficient energy conversion system at a low operating temperature. The previous study reported that thermal efficiency increases with decreasing the temperature difference between the cooling and heating sections. However, this result does not agree with the dependence of a general heat engine on temperature difference. In this study, we focus on this phenomenon and clarify the origin by the numerical simulation. Setting the oscillating frequency to 3rpm, where results by numerical simulations well agree with experimental results, the cooling temperature dependence of the thermal efficiency was evaluated. As a result, it is clarified that the almost input heat is used to rise the temperature of the liquid piston in the case of the temperature of the cooling section is lower.