Analysis of a new concept in power plants for electric vehicles

Abstract

This paper reports on growing research efforts in the area of advanced heat engines. In particular, an engine is currently being investigated which operates much as a Stirling engine but uses a working fluid with a phase–changing component, which increases pressure variations for a given temperature difference and thus allows a much higher power for a given engine size. Applications for such an engine range from direct conversion of solar or nuclear energy to powering an artificial heart. This paper discusses how this engine may be applied to replacing the battery/electric motor system of an electric car with a thermal energy storage system and a Stirling engine which utilizes a phase–changing component in the working fluid. As a part of this discussion, the effect on total energy and oil consumption in the US is presented, if all of the cars were to utilize such a method of power. Also, the most recent results of the current research pertaining to the engine is presented, including the effects of water in the working fluid of a Stirling engine and the further effects of modifying the regenerator with a hydrated salt.