[ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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masterbc
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:03 am

[ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by masterbc »

Hi!
I'm writing my thesis about Stirling Engine and have a problem.
Somewhere, also on this forum, I've read that it's proper to heater had volume equal to 2/3 volume of cooler.
Is that true for alpha Stirling engine? Could you share any publication source?

Thanks for any help.

Best regards,
Bartek C
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: [ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by Ian S C »

Bartek C, I don't understand the bit about "I'v read that it's proper to heater had volume equal to 2/3 volume of cooler.
My theory of running Stirling Engines as hot as I can at the hot end(if the hot cap is stainless steel, bright red hot), and the cold end a cold as I can, I usually use water cooling so the temperature is usually bellow 100*C, and if you can keep a continual flow of cold water, the temperature could be quite a bit less than this.
Ian S C
masterbc
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:03 am

Re: [ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by masterbc »

I mean that when I have hot cylinder of volume 100cm3, than what should be volume of cool cylinder?
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: [ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by Ian S C »

100cm3, the normal ratio is 1:1.
Ian S C
Aviator168
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Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:29 pm
Location: Brokeville, NY. USA

Re: [ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by Aviator168 »

Like Ian said. It should be 1:1.
Just want to comment on the water temperature. Depending on the design and application. Often times, the water temperature is best kept just a few degrees from boiling, and the gas in the cold cylinder will be a lot higher than that.
masterbc
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:03 am

Re: [ALPHA]Best heater to cooler volume ratio

Post by masterbc »

Ok, thank you for your answers. I'll have tap water, temp. ~10 C degrees, so flow will be slow to get such temperature.
And what should be regenerator volume? One volume of cylinder would be suitable?
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