Posted by Rick on November 14, 2011, 6:03 pm
> On 11/14/11 9:04 AM, Rick wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Lots of things _can_ be made. Lots of things that _can_ be made are
>>> not practical.
>>
>> "The Stirling engine is noted for its high efficiency compared to steam
>> engines, quiet operation, and the ease with which it can use almost any
>> heat source.
>> This compatibility with alternative and renewable energy sources has
>> become increasingly significant as the price of conventional fuels
>> rises, and also in light of concerns such as peak oil and climate change.
>> This engine is currently exciting interest as the core component of
>> micro combined heat and power (CHP) units, in which it is more efficient
>> and safer than a comparable steam engine."
>>
>> "Other suitable heat sources are concentrated solar energy, geothermal
>> energy, nuclear energy, waste heat, or even biological. If the heat
>> source is solar power, regular solar mirrors and solar dishes may be
>> used."
>>
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine>
> I want to buy a Stirling engine in the 1-2 hp range suitable for using in
> a solar heat (~750F) context. Do you have, or can you find, a link to a
> product with a price comparable to internal combustion engines in that
> power range?
I'm sorry Morris but other than replying to the post that apparently
Stirling engines do appear to have at least some practical use in the
conversion of solar energy to electricity, I have no involvement whatsoever,
however this engine manufacturer was mentioned in the Wiki article.
<http://www.infiniacorp.com/application.html>
> for
Posted by Rick on November 14, 2011, 6:28 pm
>> On 11/14/11 9:04 AM, Rick wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Lots of things _can_ be made. Lots of things that _can_ be made are
>>>> not practical.
>>>
>>> "The Stirling engine is noted for its high efficiency compared to steam
>>> engines, quiet operation, and the ease with which it can use almost any
>>> heat source.
>>> This compatibility with alternative and renewable energy sources has
>>> become increasingly significant as the price of conventional fuels
>>> rises, and also in light of concerns such as peak oil and climate
>>> change.
>>> This engine is currently exciting interest as the core component of
>>> micro combined heat and power (CHP) units, in which it is more efficient
>>> and safer than a comparable steam engine."
>>>
>>> "Other suitable heat sources are concentrated solar energy, geothermal
>>> energy, nuclear energy, waste heat, or even biological. If the heat
>>> source is solar power, regular solar mirrors and solar dishes may be
>>> used."
>>>
>>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine>
>>
>> I want to buy a Stirling engine in the 1-2 hp range suitable for using in
>> a solar heat (~750F) context. Do you have, or can you find, a link to a
>> product with a price comparable to internal combustion engines in that
>> power range?
>>
>>
> I'm sorry Morris but other than replying to the post that apparently
> Stirling engines do appear to have at least some practical use in the
> conversion of solar energy to electricity, I have no involvement
> whatsoever, however this engine manufacturer was mentioned in the Wiki
> article.
> <http://www.infiniacorp.com/application.html>
I've actually come across an online instruction manual for the Philips
MP1002CA 230v/180W hot air generator, manufactured back in 1951, I'm
guessing that a version made now, 60 years on, would be considerably more
efficient?
<http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/images/MP1002CA.pdf>
Posted by vaughn on November 14, 2011, 6:53 pm
> I'm guessing that a version made now, 60 years on, would be considerably more
> efficient?
How so?
Posted by Rick on November 14, 2011, 8:02 pm
>>
>> I'm guessing that a version made now, 60 years on, would be considerably
>> more efficient?
> How so?
I was thinking along the lines off comparing the efficiency of a 60 year old
cars generator to a modern alternator.
Posted by Daniel who wants to know on November 15, 2011, 7:02 am
>>
>>>
>>> I'm guessing that a version made now, 60 years on, would be
>>> considerably more efficient?
>>
>> How so?
> I was thinking along the lines off comparing the efficiency of a 60 year
> old cars generator to a modern alternator.
The generator was actually likely more efficient than an alternator, they
were phased out because they didn't charge at idle unless a pulley ratio was
used that would make them self destruct at engine redline.
12v alternators are only 50-60% efficient, heck they lose 10% just in the
diodes because they put out roughly 14 volts and there is a .7 volt drop
across each diode, so 1.4 volts for the positive and negative diodes
combined. A 6v alternator would lose 20% in the diodes, a 24v just 5%, etc.
The rest is lost from powering the field coil, along with eddy current,
hysteresis, and the I2R losses of the stator windings.
>>
>>
>>> Lots of things _can_ be made. Lots of things that _can_ be made are
>>> not practical.
>>
>> "The Stirling engine is noted for its high efficiency compared to steam
>> engines, quiet operation, and the ease with which it can use almost any
>> heat source.
>> This compatibility with alternative and renewable energy sources has
>> become increasingly significant as the price of conventional fuels
>> rises, and also in light of concerns such as peak oil and climate change.
>> This engine is currently exciting interest as the core component of
>> micro combined heat and power (CHP) units, in which it is more efficient
>> and safer than a comparable steam engine."
>>
>> "Other suitable heat sources are concentrated solar energy, geothermal
>> energy, nuclear energy, waste heat, or even biological. If the heat
>> source is solar power, regular solar mirrors and solar dishes may be
>> used."
>>
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine>
> I want to buy a Stirling engine in the 1-2 hp range suitable for using in
> a solar heat (~750F) context. Do you have, or can you find, a link to a
> product with a price comparable to internal combustion engines in that
> power range?