The inspiration for our project comes from the studies we did about the Stirling Engine. In particular, we focused our attention on its extraordinary efficiency and on its faculty of being used in various applications. We found out that Stirling engines can be employed for building CHP systems, so we tried to study and to examine that question. Surfing the Net, we discovered that Whispergen developed a microCHP system involving the Stirling engine, then we started studying it. Moreover, we spoke with the Whispergen marketing office via email and we discovered useful details to develop our project. The system we studied consists in a burner that provides to a Stirling engine the energy it needs to work and generate electrical power using an alternator. In picture 3 there are the internal components of the machine:
Electrical generator, that provides 220-240 V current;
Stirling engine, that powers the generator;
Gas Burner, that gives the Stirling engine the power it needs to work;
Heat exchanger, that uses the heat generated from the burned gases;
Auxiliary burner, that generates heat when its demand is too high;
Escape valve, that gives the combustion gas to the burner and frees the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
The microCHP generator is powered by CH4 (Methane), a gas we receive in our houses with the normal pipes that form the national gas distribution system. What we were looking for was a real saving both of money and of energy. What we found is exactly that: the system doesn’t cost too much (4000-10000 €) and represents a real alternative for the saving of energy. Considering that the system includes a Stirling engine, it obviously follows the rules that have to be respected while working with that kind of motors. The Stirling cycle is represented in picture 1 and consists in the 4 main phases that are drawn.
The money saving we counted is of about 150 € per year and brings a greater respect in nature in general. Our aim was to lead the people’s attention to the important problems that compromise the world, such as pollution, smog, etc. We think it is too important to save the environment from industries and from globalization, simply because we have not to destroy what in the future will probably be the only one thing that will give us energy. Energy sources are quickly going to their end, so everyone has to try to find alternative ways to produce energy. Our cities are literally damaged by pollution and the Ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere is scaling down: this is a clear signal and means that we do have to find out something in order not to let polluted air contaminate our planet. Because of this, we decided to study a system concerning the respect of the environment and we really think that working this way the world could turn into a better world.
Electrical generator, that provides 220-240 V current;
Stirling engine, that powers the generator;
Gas Burner, that gives the Stirling engine the power it needs to work;
Heat exchanger, that uses the heat generated from the burned gases;
Auxiliary burner, that generates heat when its demand is too high;
Escape valve, that gives the combustion gas to the burner and frees the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
The microCHP generator is powered by CH4 (Methane), a gas we receive in our houses with the normal pipes that form the national gas distribution system. What we were looking for was a real saving both of money and of energy. What we found is exactly that: the system doesn’t cost too much (4000-10000 €) and represents a real alternative for the saving of energy. Considering that the system includes a Stirling engine, it obviously follows the rules that have to be respected while working with that kind of motors. The Stirling cycle is represented in picture 1 and consists in the 4 main phases that are drawn.
The money saving we counted is of about 150 € per year and brings a greater respect in nature in general. Our aim was to lead the people’s attention to the important problems that compromise the world, such as pollution, smog, etc. We think it is too important to save the environment from industries and from globalization, simply because we have not to destroy what in the future will probably be the only one thing that will give us energy. Energy sources are quickly going to their end, so everyone has to try to find alternative ways to produce energy. Our cities are literally damaged by pollution and the Ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere is scaling down: this is a clear signal and means that we do have to find out something in order not to let polluted air contaminate our planet. Because of this, we decided to study a system concerning the respect of the environment and we really think that working this way the world could turn into a better world.
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