Title: An engineer-oriented optimisation of Stirling engine cycle with finite-size finite-speed of revolution thermodynamics

Authors: Lavinia Grosu; Pierre Rochelle; Nadia Martaj

Addresses: Laboratoire Energétique, Mécanique et Electromagnétisme, University of Paris Ouest 50, rue de Sèvres, Ville D'Avray 92 410, France ' Laboratoire Energétique, Mécanique et Electromagnétisme, University of Paris Ouest 50, rue de Sèvres, Ville D'Avray 92 410, France; Institut Jean LeRond d'Alembert, UP62, av. de la Gare de Ceinture, Saint Cyr l'Ecole 78310, France ' Laboratoire Energétique, Mécanique et Electromagnétisme, University of Paris Ouest 50, rue de Sèvres, Ville D'Avray 92 410, France

Abstract: Finite-time thermodynamics takes into account exo-irreversibilities which are not managed by reversible thermodynamics, especially reservoir-to-gas temperature gaps. In today's works, thermodynamicists use the working gas mass as the main imposed parameter. In this paper, the study of the Stirling engine cycle is carried out with a motorist-oriented viewpoint: instead of the working gas mass, the reference parameters are those linked to engineering constraints; they are the maximum pressure, the maximum volume, the extreme temperatures and the overall thermal conductance; the adjustable parameters are the volumetric compression ratio, the hot-to-cold conductance ratio and the regenerator efficiency. Analytical normalised expressions of the operating characteristics of the engine, such as power, work, efficiency, speed and their optima are set up. Classical results of analytical optimisation are found back and new ones are established, leading to new conclusions. Some dimensionless and dimensional numbers are put into evidence.

Keywords: finite size thermodynamics; finite speed thermodynamics; speed of revolution; Stirling engine cycle; exergy; engineering constraints; analytical optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2012.049743

International Journal of Exergy, 2012 Vol.11 No.2, pp.191 - 204

Received: 17 Sep 2011
Accepted: 04 Jan 2012
Published online: 14 Oct 2012 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article