Numerical Simulation of Stirling Engines Using an Unsteady Quasi-One-Dimensional Approach
Journal article, 2015

An existing computer code for solving the quasi-one-dimensional flow equations governing unsteady compressible flow in tubes with smoothly varying cross-section areas, has been adapted to the simulation of the oscillatory flow in Stirling engines for engine design purposes. By utilizing an efficient smoothing algorithm for the area function that preserves the total volume of the tube, it has been possible to achieve a highly accurate and fully conservative numerical scheme. Sub-models for wall friction and heat transfer have been added, enabling the simulation of gas heaters, gas coolers, and regenerators. The code has been used for the modeling of an alpha-type Stirling engine and validated for a range of operating conditions with good results.

Author

Niklas Andersson

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics

Lars-Erik Eriksson

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics

Martin Nilsson

Cleanergy AB

Journal of Fluids Engineering, Transactions of the ASME

0098-2202 (ISSN) 1528-901X (eISSN)

Vol. 137 5 Art. no. 051104- 051104

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Energy Engineering

Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.1115/1.4029396

More information

Created

10/7/2017