Conceptual and Basic Design of a Stirling Engine Prototype for Electrical Power Generation by Solar Means

Abstract

The research consisted in a conceptual and basic design of a prototype Stirling engine with the purpose of taking advantage of the solar radiation to produce electric energy. The work began with a bibliography review covering aspects as history, basic functioning, design configurations, applications and analysis methods, just to continue with the conceptual design, where the prototype specifications were determined. Finally, a basic dimensioning of the important components as heat exchangers (heater, cooler, and regenerator), piston, displacer and solar collector was elaborated. The principal conclusions were that the different analysis methods had dissimilitude among their results; in this sense, a construction of the prototype is necessary for the understanding of the complex phenomena occurring inside the engine