Low temperature differential stirling engine based power generation

Research into various forms of sustainable power generation is required to address the rising problems associated with fossil fuel limitations. A new research programme aims to show that electric power generation using low-grade heat and Stirling engine technology can be made commercially viable. Using the Modified Beale Number, and preliminary software modelling, an initial prototype has been designed. This prototype will output approximately 1 kW of electric power with a temperature differential of around 30 K. The fundamental considerations for this prototype are the effects of engine parameters such as compression ratio, pressure, regenerator matrix composition, displacer/power piston phasing, and displacer velocity profile. The result here being a novel gamma-type engine configuration that complements a high pressure system. The prototype also has an electrically actuated displacer piston so that the phasing and velocity profile are finely variable, and a modular regenerator matrix.