Fabrication and Simulation of Stirling Cycle Engine Employing the Rotary Wankel Mechanism

• Main Authors: Yen-Chih Chou, 周彥志
• Other Authors: Shung-Wen Kang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/18827283560291838215

博士 === 淡江大學 === 機械與機電工程學系博士班 === 97 === Energy and environmental protection issues have become the most important targets of global investigation and development. The solar energy can be collected in a variety of different ways and it also called Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems emerging as one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. Some of them combined with Stirling engines as the key component to transfer energy and generate electricity. On this dissertation the author discusses the technical advantages of a technology with Stirling cycle engine which may combine to the solar-thermal-electric or CSP technology. Furthermore, it focuses on integrating the Wankel mechanism of rotary internal combustion engine with Stirling cycle in order to fabricate a new engine type. Some advantages like there exists no waste gas discharged for the system in working and it won’t contaminate the environment. It could be also according to the variety of heat source and with simpler mechanism as general Stirling engines. Besides, the shaft transmission is without using the crank. This dissertation includes the simulation analysis by FLUENT CFD software. It could relate to the design initially and provide criterions for improving the prototype by analyzing the factors of heat source temperature, operate pressure, phase angle of rotors, rotation speed, and porosity of regenerator. The simulation results show that better efficiency of system related to the higher temperature of heat input and higher operation pressure. Phase angle of rotors, and rotate speed effects are also discussed in this dissertation. In addition, the effect of porosity on regenerators shows efficiency increases with fill rate increased and decreased with porosity. The author additionally fabricated the prototypes and performed the preliminary test. Some factors of boundary conditions for simulation should be modified by comparing with the experimental data. Considering the physical properties of materials and manufacture limits, the experience of procedure from design to fabrication with results of simulation could bring up a suitable Rotary Stirling Cycle Engine (RSE) design. It can be helpful for future similar work and apply to solar-thermal-electric power generator scopes.