This contribution deals with the first experimental realization of a novel machine configuration that can be toggled between three different operation modes: a Stirling engine as an efficient cogeneration unit, a thermally driven Vuilleumier heat pump, and an intermediate “hybrid” cycle, combining both a heat pump effect and a mechanical power generation. Thus, a demand-oriented heat and power supply can be realized. Initially, such a machine was designed under both thermodynamic and production-oriented aspects. Subsequently, rules of similarity-based scaling have been applied to this design to reduce both experimental and manufacturing efforts. Hereby, all relevant dimensionless numbers are kept constant, such as Reynolds or Mach numbers, and particularly efficiencies and heat ratios, too. This laboratory-scale machine has been built and operated for almost 500 h. The experimental results obtained from this machine are presented and discussed, including , -indicator diagrams for the three operation modes and various loss phenomena (e.g., thermal losses to the ambient or friction losses in the crank mechanism). Furthermore, the results will be compared with the predictions of a one-dimensional differential simulation model. The deviations and the corrections required to account for similarity violations are discussed.
Laboratory-Scale Stirling-Vuilleumier Hybrid System Part II: Experimental Results
Journal of Propulsion and Power ; 29 , 4 ; 812-824
2013-05-28
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Laboratory-Scale Stirling-Vuilleumier Hybrid System Part II: Experimental Results
Online Contents | 2013
|Laboratory-Scale Stirling-Vuilleumier Hybrid System Part I: Application of Similarity-Based Design
Online Contents | 2013
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