Influence of phase angle and dead volume on gamma-type Stirling engine power using CFD simulation

Suliman Alfarawi, Raya Al-Dadah, Saad Mahmoud

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)
319 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This work presents the development and validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of 500 W gamma-type Stirling engine prototype to highlight the effects posed by phase angle and dead volume variations on engine performance. The model is based on a realistic Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium (LTNE) approach for porous domains in the engine (cooler and regenerator). The simulation results showed an acceptable degree of accuracy of 9% and 5%, respectively when comparing with experimental results in predicting the indicated and cooling powers at different heating temperatures. It is found that the maximum indicated power is achieved at a phase angle of 105° rather than at the common phase angle of 90°. The dead volume (connecting pipe) is observed to pose negative effects on engine indicated power and therefore, an optimum value of pipe diameter exists.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)130-140
Number of pages11
JournalEnergy Conversion and Management
Volume124
Early online date12 Jul 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2016

Keywords

  • CFD
  • Dead volume
  • Phase angle
  • Stirling engine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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