Beta-type Stirling engine operating at atmospheric pressure

In this study, a beta-type Stirling engine, with a 192 cc total swept-volume, was manufactured and its performance tested at atmospheric pressure. The hot-source temperature is chosen as a fundamental parameter of the experimental study. Experiments were performed with an electrical heater at 800, 900 and 1000 degrees C temperatures. Torque and output-power variations were obtained for different engine speeds. The test engine reached a maximum of 5.98 W at 208 rpm, at the hot-source temperature of 1000 degrees C. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.