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Modeling of Thermal-Lag Engine with Validation by Experimental Data

Author

Listed:
  • Chin-Hsiang Cheng

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

  • Duc-Thuan Phung

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

Abstract

Thermal-lag engines are external combustion engines with a single moving piston. This feature leads to lower manufacturing and maintenance costs than traditional Stirling engines. Although the original concept of thermal-lag engines was invented roughly 35 years ago, the information on thermal-lag engines is still limited. Therefore, this study focuses on thermal-lag engine performance by developing a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The grid independence check and the time step independence check are firstly performed to select the number of elements and size of the time step for simulation. The CFD model is then validated by the experimental data, which were collected by measuring an existing prototype engine. It has been found that the CFD predictions are well fitted to the experimental data over the range of engine speed from 200 to 1600 rpm at temperatures of 1173 or 1273 K. Furthermore, the CFD model predicts that the maximum engine power is 21.1 W while the prototype engine practically generates the highest power of 22.35 W at 1000 rpm and 1273 K. Finally, a further parametric study shows that crank radius, piston diameter, working gas mass, working gas species, and heating temperature significantly affect engine power.

Suggested Citation

  • Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Duc-Thuan Phung, 2022. "Modeling of Thermal-Lag Engine with Validation by Experimental Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:20:p:7688-:d:946120
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Yang, Hang-Suin & Jhou, Bing-Yi & Chen, Yi-Cheng & Wang, Yu-Jen, 2013. "Dynamic simulation of thermal-lag Stirling engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 466-476.
    2. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Duc-Thuan Phung, 2021. "Numerical Optimization of the β-Type Stirling Engine Performance Using the Variable-Step Simplified Conjugate Gradient Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yi-Han Tan, 2020. "Numerical Optimization of a Four-Cylinder Double-Acting Stirling Engine Based on Non-Ideal Adiabatic Thermodynamic Model and SCGM Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Yang, Hang-Suin, 2013. "Theoretical model for predicting thermodynamic behavior of thermal-lag Stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 218-228.
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