Study on Characteristics of a 1-kW Stirling Engine for Renewable Energy

(Performance Characteristics of New Type Matrix Material for Regenerator)

Abstract

Stirling engines are able to utilize various heat sources, such as solar energy, exhaust gas, geothermal energy, and so on. However, the temperature level of renewable energy will be lower than conventional fossil fuel heat sources. Therefore, the conventional heat exchanger and regenerator may be not optimumed for using renewable energy heat sources. In this study, characteristics of a 1-kW Stirling engine (α-type) for the renewable energy were measured. The operating conditions of temperature and pressure were lower than those using fossil fuel energy sources. Also, two kinds of wire screens and new type matrix material for regenerator were tested to select the suitable matrix material for the operating conditions