Posted by Jim Wilkins on January 4, 2012, 2:52 pm
> ...
> A question about long-term hydrogen embrittlement for Jim, doesn't
> hydrogen embrittlement take a long time under constant pressure?
> Curbie
I didn't find anything really useful. Try calling applications engineers at
sensor manufacturers. They may send samples.
jsw
Posted by Jim Wilkins on December 19, 2011, 12:01 pm
> ...It appears that it /may/ be possible to incorporate a 100kW
> Stirling-driven generator capacity comfortably into a Cooper Mini.
> ...
> Morris Dovey
Have you found a 100W generator that fits on a wood stove?
jsw
Posted by Morris Dovey on December 19, 2011, 3:17 pm
On 12/19/11 6:01 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
> Have you found a 100W generator that fits on a wood stove?
I haven't found anything anywhere near that output range (using any heat
source) that might be of practical use to a consumer.
That was a part of what originally motivated me to explore development
of low-cost Stirlings. I haven't really continued the search other than
to remain alert for newly-developed products.
As you know, I have a strong personal preference for designs that don't
require a combustion heat source - and interest in that category appears
greatest in China, India, the Russian Federation, and Australia. If
you're wanting something with a less than 5kW output, I'd suggest
keeping an eye on on Chinese and Australian developments - the Chinese
because there may be available investment capital and the Australians
because they appear to be most motivated. Both the Indians and the
Russians have the intellectual resources to get the job done, but the
folks with the resources to underwrite R&D don't seem to be much interested.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
http://www.iedu.com/Solar/
Posted by j on February 14, 2012, 12:03 pm
On 12/18/2011 9:00 AM, News wrote:
>> True, but the Stirling has a low power density, which means it gets
>> very big to produce significant amounts of power. This is especially
>> true is a low-grade heat source is used because the heat transfer
>> surfaces must become very large. The Stirling engine is almost 200
>> years old, yet I have never seen one. There are multiple reason why
>> they have neve become common. .
> Philips used a small one (an air engine) for running a radio in Africa
> in the 1950s. The prime reason they have never caught on is that large
> auto makers do not want to take the plunge. They had the ICE piston
> engines and cheap oil and made money - to them, they did not want
> change. The self-serving corporateocracy advances like a snail.
I think the main reason Stirlings have found no automotive use is that
they don't change speeds readily. Zero to Sixty measured in minutes, not
seconds. They want to run at one power level.
They may work in hybrids, but I'm not so sure that the efficiency would
be better than a diesel, for a reasonably sized stirling.
It seems to me that stirlings own into their own using heat that
otherwise would be discarded. There is some oncoming use in concentrated
solar.
Jeff
Posted by Morris Dovey on November 14, 2011, 4:59 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?
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
http://www.iedu.com/Solar/
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> A question about long-term hydrogen embrittlement for Jim, doesn't
> hydrogen embrittlement take a long time under constant pressure?
> Curbie