LAUSR

ABSTRACT The Stirling engine is an environmentally friendly external combustion heat engine and reduces the complexities of the combustion process, and indirectly helps in reduction of CO2 emission. Modelling based on cyclic analysis is performed for a Beta configuration Stirling engine of 1.5 kWe capacity using a rhombic drive for the solar-dish-supported Stirling engine. The analysis helps in estimating the overall efficiency of the system using the experimental correlation of the solar concentrator ARUN160 at the engine operating temperature. The analysis shows that the system will have overall efficiency around 25% in the range of 750–1050 K at the expansion space. The degradation of performance compared to that at an operating temperature of 1025 K is only marginal and makes 750 K a more preferred temperature. The present study evaluates a range of possible design goals and provides suitable alternatives and thus provides a clear understanding of the system design considerations.