Stirling Engines

microflitedude Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:08 pm

I find them very interesting as a future source for alternative energy. Also because they run off heat energy - anything that burns which makes them efficient. Being able to run a real engine on your desktop is pretty cool, I think.

This a very good demonstration/explanation ~

What do you guys think?

nitroairplane Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:10 pm

I run diesels at my desk Smile

They are cool but they still get their energy from combustion.

SuperDave Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:20 pm

Interesting, dude.

The question becomes the alcohol used to fire the burner which causes the engine to operate.
Can isopropol alcohol be produced in sufficient quantities and at cost that would meet the possible demand?

nitroairplane Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:23 pm

Maybe not but Bio-ethanol can.
They would also have to be far more powerful or they would just be too heavy.
THeir power to weight ratio is very low.
But that same ethanol/metanol could be used to power glow enignes.

microflitedude Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:38 pm

These engines require a source of heat - a flame, from spent fuel, which does not necessarily have to be alcohol. Used oil, coal, butane, even hydrogen vapor. (which is sourced from water) Of course the cleaner and purer the fuel, the faster the engine will run.

Because of their weight The would be better off driving generators and other machinery on the ground. Torque is still an issue that needs overcoming. Smile

Food for thought.

nitroairplane Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:46 pm

yes on a similar note I heard of people flying rc planes with steam engines somewhere in the UK.

microflitedude Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:49 pm

nitroairplane wrote:yes on a similar note I heard of people flying rc planes with steam engines somewhere in the UK.

Was it a glider with a steam generator? lol!

nitroairplane Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:51 pm

Look here they are.
http://www.flysteam.co.uk/design.htm

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