How Does A Stirling Engine Work And Its Use In Solar Thermal Technology For Energy Generation
This is extremely simple heat engine which function by temperature change within two metal surfaces. One surface is heated at one side of the engine while second is cooled down on the other side, causing the air expansion at the hot surface (high temperature) whereas compression near the second plate (low temperature). This expansion and compression of air inside the engine cylinder results in the movement of piston in up and down motion between the two surfaces into a cycle. This hot air engine was created by Robert Stirling in 1816 as replacement to steam engines at that time which is a big achievement in heat engine technology.
How it works?
A good model for learning the functionality of a Stirling engine consists of a close cylinder containing two metal surfaces(aluminium) . A displacer is placed within the plates and attached to a flywheel by a wire to transfer mechanical power during upward motion. Any plate is heated for example; bottom plate, the air near that plate expands which causing the displacer to proceed up direction. On the other hand flywheel attached to a small piston using the mechanical power from flywheel and push the displacer to aid in down movement. Once displacer is at top level the tiny piston goes downward resulting the compressed air to force the displacer downward. This makes a loop of up and down motion of both displacer and piston, resulting the circular movement of flywheel.
Use in Solar Thermal Technology
In solar thermal technology we utilize heat from sun light into mechanical energy to move a generator to produce electricity. Stirling engine follow exactly the similar purpose and they are very powerful solar energy producers and generate clean electricity. Stirling Engines are used in solar thermal technology within solar dishes where large parabolic mirrors points the sunlight into one focal point where Stirling engine is aligned this then runs by consuming this heat from sunlight and resulting mechanical energy to produce electric power. Solar thermal dishes are used for either residential and commercial electricity production. Stirling engine supported solar dishes for residential use are comparatively smaller in size and generates around 1-2 kW of electricity. However in commercial usage a huge single Stirling Engine backed solar dish can generate up to 25kW (kiloWatt) of electricity.
Location is important in deciding if stirling engines are good selection. Solar thermal engines are best suited for users in locations with enough sunlight whole year but wrong idea for places that receive much snow and less sunlight.
One of the best way to learn this interesting engine is to purchase a small do-it-yourself Stirling engine model. For further reading please check stirling engine history and basics as well as it’s use in renewable energy.
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