Abstract
In this paper the authors compare and contrast open and closed-cycle heat engines. First of all, by way of example and to aid discussion, the performance of proprietary externally heated closed-cycle Stirling engines is compared with that of internally heated open Otto cycle engines. Both types of engine have disadvantages and merits and this suggested that in order to accommodate the best of both engine types an externally-heated open-cycle engine might offer a more satisfactory solution for small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) systems. To investigate this possibility further the paper goes on to compare the performance of externally-heated and recuperated Joule hot-air cycle engines with that of an externally-heated closed Stirling cycle engines. The results show that an externally heated recuperated open Joule cycle engine can exceed that of a closed cycle Stirling engine operating between the same heat source and sink temperatures when a variable temperature heat source is used.
Highlights
The paper begins by comparing the performance of proprietary externally-heated closed-cycle reciprocating Stirling engines with proprietary internally-heated reciprocating open Otto cycle engines.Disadvantages and merits for both engine types are discussed and from this it is concluded that some form of externally-heated open-cycle engine might offer a practical solution to the problem of selecting an engine cycle suitable for small-scale power generation
To support this view the paper goes on to compare the performance of a recuperated reciprocating open Joule cycle engine with that of an externally-heated reciprocating closed Stirling cycle engine
Over recent years there has been an increase in the amount being written on the various types of Stirling cycle engine, for applications in advanced combined heat and power energy systems
Summary
The paper begins by comparing the performance of proprietary externally-heated closed-cycle reciprocating Stirling engines with proprietary internally-heated reciprocating open Otto cycle engines. Disadvantages and merits for both engine types are discussed and from this it is concluded that some form of externally-heated open-cycle engine might offer a practical solution to the problem of selecting an engine cycle suitable for small-scale power generation To support this view the paper goes on to compare the performance of a recuperated reciprocating open Joule cycle engine with that of an externally-heated reciprocating closed Stirling cycle engine. John Barber patented the first engine of this type, which incorporated an air compressor, a combustion chamber and an early type of turbine [4] It was James Prescott Joule (1850) that provided the first theoretical description of the constant pressure cycle [5], more than 20 years before George Brayton invented his improvements [6]. The former being externally heated whilst the latter are almost all internally heated; and are commonly referred to as internal combustion engines
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