Abstract
Application of high-performance closed-cycle heat engines to solar energy conversion for residences and other buildings is considered. Stirling and recuperated Brayton cycles are investigated with the former favored due to commonality in construction with conventional small Otto cycle engines. Typical top temperatures of these cycles is near best compromise between thermodynamic efficiency vs solar collection efficiency. The overall system includes an array of sun-following paraboloidal collectors connected by sodium heat pipes. Both heat and electrical buffering, control problems, accoutrements (such as heat pumps), other heat sources, and other electrical sources are examined. Analogous conversion of furnace fuel energy into electricity is considered.
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