The Stirling Engine

History
Developed in 1816 by Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling Originally developed as an air engine Invented to conserve fuel and provide a safer alternative to the steam engine

Basics
Can derive heat energy source to power from fuel combustion, solar, geothermal, waste heat, nuclear, or biological External combustion engine (closed system)
Fluids inside engine are constant

Engine is quiet Potential to be much more efficient than gasoline or diesel engines Theoretically has 100% efficiency

Key Terms
Isothermal- no change in internal energy; constant temperature

Isovolumetric- no work is done on the system or by the system; constant volume

External Combustion Engine- combustion which provides energy for the engine to run takes place outside of the system

Step One

Isothermal process (expansion) Volume increases as the gas/working fluid expands, which also decreases pressure. The heat energy added to the system is equivalent to the work done on the piston. U = 0, Q = -W

Step Two

Isovolumetric process Pressure is decreased under a constant volume while the gas is cooled. No work is being done either on the system or by the system and all heat energy lost causes a decrease in internal energy.

-U = -Q, W = 0

Step Three

Isothermal process (compression)

Volume decreases as the gas/working fluid is compressed, which also increases pressure. The heat energy lost by the system is equivalent to the work done on the system. U = 0, -Q = W

Step Four

Isovolumetric process

Pressure is increased under a constant volume while the gas is heated. No work is being done either on the system or by the system and all heat energy gained causes a increase in internal energy.
U = Q, W = 0

P vs. V Graph of the Stirling Engine Process

1-2: Isothermal expansion 2-3: Isovolumetric (heat removal) 3-4: Isothermal compression 4-1: Isovolumetric (heat addition) ANIMATION ANIMATION

Uses
Used in specialized applications such as submarines or auxiliary power generators for yachts
WisperGen - home combined heat and power generation unit

CHECK OUT THESE AWESOME SITES

(aka bibliography)
Nice, Karim. "How Stirling Engines Work." HowStuffWorks. 22 Nov. 2008 <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/stirling-engine1.htm>. "Stirling Engine and Stirling Cycle." Science Fair Projects and Experiments. 22 Nov. 2008<http://www.juliantrubin.com/encyclopedia/engineering/ stirling_engine.html#stirling_cycle_thermodynamics 2.670 Stirling Engine Animation." MIT. MIT. 22 Nov. 2008 <http://web.mit.edu/2.670/www/spotlight_2005/engine_anim.html>.