INTRODUCTION

The Stirling Engine was invented by Robert Stirling. This device was born as a competence to
the vapor machine, since a Stirling Engine works with smaller pressures than the device created
by Watt and it did not require a qualified train engineer. At the end of s.XIX with the
development of the internal combustion engine and the appearance of electric engines, the
machine of this study was forgotten. Nowadays the technology that involves the invention of
Robert Stirling is in completely development because of the fact that now very useful
applications are available. This document travels in the history of this curious device looking for
reasons of this incredible development in this called high technology with its different
applications and doing an analysis from the point of view of the economy. This project explains
the principle function of the engine with a deep investigation. And we show how the Sterling
Engine in combination with renewable energy sources can be part of a sustainable energy supply.

History
The Stirling Engine is one of the hot air engines. It was invented by Robert Stirling (1790-1878)
and his brother James . His father was interesting in engine and he inherited it. He became a
minister of the church at Scotland in 1816. At this period, he found the steam engines are
dangerous for the workers. He decided to improve the design of an existing air engine. He hope
it wound be safer alternative. After one year, he invented a regenerator. He called the
Economiser and the engine improves the efficiency. This is the earliest Stirling Engine. It is
put out 100 W to 4 kW. But the internal combustion engine substituted for it quickly. The
Ericsson invented the solar energy in 1864 and did some improvements for after several years.
Roberts brother, James Stirling, also played an important role in the development of Stirling
engines.

Stirling cycles
The Stirling engine fixed mass of gas called the "working fluid" (air, hydrogen or helium). The
principle is that of thermal expansion and contraction of this fluid due to a temperature
differential. So the ideal Stirling cycle consists of four thermodynamic acting on the working
fluid: volume processes.
Each one of which can be separately analysed:
1-2: isothermal compression process fluid, while an equal amount of heat Q cooling source. The
working fluid cools and contracts at constant TC.
2-3: constant volume displacement process with heat addition absorbed by the working fluid and
temperature is raised from T work is done.
3-4: isothermal expansion process while an equal amount of heat Q source. The working fluid
heats and expands at constant temperature T
4-1: constant volume displacement process with heat rejection rejected by the working fluid
work is done.
The Stirling engine cycle is a closed cycle and it contains, most commonly a fixed mass of gas
called the "working fluid" (air, hydrogen or helium). The principle ansion and contraction of this
fluid due to a temperature So the ideal Stirling cycle consists of four thermodynamic s distinct
processes fluid: two constant-temperature processes and two constantisothermal compression

process . Work W 1-2 is done on the working fluid, while an equal amount of heat Q 1-2 is
rejected by the system to the cooling source. The working fluid cools and contracts at
constantvolume displacement process with heat addition absorbed by the working fluid and
temperature is raised from isothermal expansion process . Work W 3-4 is done by the working
fluid while an equal amount of heat Q 3-4 is added to the system from the heating source. The
working fluid heats and expands at constant temperature T constant volume displacement
process with heat rejection rejected by the working fluid and temperature decrease from T
A pressure/volume graph of the ideal Stirling cycle it contains, most commonly a fixed mass of
gas called the "working fluid" (air, hydrogen or helium). The principle ansion and contraction of
this fluid due to a temperature distinct processes temperature processes and two constant -is done
on the working is rejected by the system to the cooling source. The working fluid cools and
contracts at constant temperature volume displacement process with heat addition . Heat Q 2-3 is
absorbed by the working fluid and temperature is raised from T C to T H. is done by the working
fluid , is added to the system from the heating source. The working fluid heats and expands at
constant temperature T H. constant volume displacement process with heat rejection . Heat Q 4-1
is and temperature decrease from T C to T H. No

Engine configuration

1.Alpha stirling
Alpha engines have two separate power pistons in separate cylinders which are connected in
series by a heater, a regenerator and a cooler. One is a hot piston and the other one a cold
piston. The hot piston cylinder is situated inside the high temperature heat exchanger and the
cold piston cylinder is situated inside the low temperature heat exchanger. The generator is
illustrated by the chamber containing the hatch lines.

2.Beta stirling
The Beta configuration is the classic Stirling engine configuration and has enjoyed popularity
from its inception until today. Stirling's original engine from his patent drawing of 1816 shows a
Beta arrangement. The purpose of th working gas at constant volume, and shuttle it between the
expansion and the compression spaces through the series arrangement cooler, regenerator, and
heater.
A beta Stirling has a single power p the same shaft as a displacer piston. The displacer piston is a
loose fit and does not extract any power from the expanding gas but only serves to shuttle the
working gas from the hot heat exchanger to the cold he at exchanger.
When the working gas is pushed to the hot end of the cylinder it expands and pushes the power
piston. When it is pushed to the cold end of the cylinder it contracts and the momentum of the
machine, usually enhanced by a flywheel, pushes the compress the gas. Unlike the alpha type,
the beta type avoids the technical problems of hot moving seals.

This type of engine has a very high power -to-volume ratio but has technical usually high
temperature of the "hot" piston and its seals
The Beta configuration is the classic Stirling engine configuration and has enjoyed popularity
from its inception until today. Stirling's original engine from his 1816 shows a Beta arrangement.
Both Beta and Gamma engines use displacer -piston arrangements. The Beta engine has both the
displacer and the piston in an in -line cylinder system. The Gamma engine uses separate
cylinders.

Reasons to use a Stirling engine

1. One reason is that for this kind of engine its almost impossible to explode. You dont
have to produce steam in a high pressure boiler. And inside the cylinder there are no
explosions needed to run the pistons like in an Otto or Diesel engine. There are no
ignitions, no carburetion because you only need one kind of gas and no valve train
because there are no valves. This was a big advantage to the steam engines in the days
when Stirling invented his engine because it was much less dangerous to work next to a
Sterling Engine than to a common steam engine.
2. Inside the pistons can be used air, helium, nitrogen or hydrogen and you dont have to
refill it because it uses always the same body of gas.
3. To produce heat you can use whatever you want: fuel, oil, gas, nuclear power and of
course renewable energies like solar, biomass or geothermal heat.
4. The external combustion process can be designed as a continuous process, so the most
types of emissions can be reduced.

5.
6.

If heat comes from a renewable energy source they produce no emissions.

They run very silent and they dont need any air supply. Thats why they are used a lot in
submarines. E.g. in the Royal Swedish Navy

Conclusion
Stirling engines qualify for free energy designation when they allow us to tap
previously inaccessible sources of naturally occurring energy. Stirling cycle engines are
very efficient for a given temperature difference between the heat source and the heat
sink. Actually, steam engines (the Rankine cycle) fall into this category, too. But
depending upon what kind of hardware and its maintenance you prefer, one or the other
will be preferred. Steamers have fewer parts and higher power density. Other fluids, such
as a variety of refrigerants, can be used instead of water. Stirlings avoid fluid containment
problems, as they can run with air as the working fluid, and will have less maintenance
issues.
Stirling Engines are very flexible. There are a lot of different types of engines. They can
be very small and run with only a small temperature difference, they are very quiet, for
example to use them in submarines or they can be used as a CHP plant.
Another good point is that they can be constructed in a way that they produce no
emissions. That means, in combination with solar or geothermal heat, they can be used as
a renewable energy source to produce electricity.
As is showed above, the Stirling engine has strong economic practicality. Above all, the
original cost is quite lower than for any other engines. Even a few calories can drive it
and keep it running. The next point is that the auxiliary costs are low, because the Stirling
engine costs little on environment protection. The fuels it uses can be clean, so it costs
little to handle with pollution governance. What is more, the profit of the Stirling engine
is far beyond the cost. And the high efficiency can bring the maximum utilization. And
last but not least, the Stirling engine is consistent with the requirements of sustainable
development. It is the main development way in the future, so the Stirling engine does
not only meet the economic needs at present time, but also in the future.
The Stirling engine is an interesting device like it is showed in this document with
various applications and high development. Its advantages are really beneficial for the
environment because it is possible produce electricity with the power of sun with high
efficiency (theorically like the Carnot Cycle). It is a huge advantage to the economy
because is possible to burn the cheapest fuel and it is working instead of the more

expensive one. And this engine is comfortable for the people because is quiet and not
noisy like an internal combustion engine.