IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v13y2020i8p2008-d347133.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Optimization of a Four-Cylinder Double-Acting Stirling Engine Based on Non-Ideal Adiabatic Thermodynamic Model and SCGM Method

Author

Listed:
  • Chin-Hsiang Cheng

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Han Tan

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to optimize a four-cylinder, double-acting α-type Stirling engine with wobble-yoke mechanism using an optimization scheme incorporated with an efficient thermodynamic model. In this study, the non-ideal adiabatic thermodynamic model is improved by taking into account factors including pressure drops due to the sudden expansion or contraction of flow cross-sectional areas in the engine, multiple nodes in the regenerator adopted to accurately capture the temperature gradient in the regenerator, and the dependence of the transport properties (thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity) of the working fluid on temperature and pressure. A parametric analysis is firstly performed to identify the designed parameters that need to be optimized. In this study, engine optimization is carried out by using the simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM). The effects of the weighting coefficients of the objective function are studied. For a particular case considered, the optimization successfully elevates the power output from 1062.56 to 1659.72 W, and thermal efficiency from 27.41% to 37.22%. Furthermore, the robustness of the optimization method is tested by giving different sets of initial guesses. It is found that the present approach can stably lead to the same optimal design and is independent of the initial guess.

Suggested Citation

  • Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yi-Han Tan, 2020. "Numerical Optimization of a Four-Cylinder Double-Acting Stirling Engine Based on Non-Ideal Adiabatic Thermodynamic Model and SCGM Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:8:p:2008-:d:347133
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/8/2008/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/8/2008/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jose Egas & Don M. Clucas, 2018. "Stirling Engine Configuration Selection," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Hooshang, M. & Askari Moghadam, R. & Alizadeh Nia, S. & Masouleh, M. Tale, 2015. "Optimization of Stirling engine design parameters using neural networks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 855-866.
    3. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Huang, Yu-Xian & King, Shun-Chih & Lee, Chun-I & Leu, Chih-Hsing, 2014. "CFD (computational fluid dynamics)-based optimal design of a micro-reformer by integrating computational a fluid dynamics code using a simplified conjugate-gradient method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 355-365.
    4. Kongtragool, Bancha & Wongwises, Somchai, 2003. "A review of solar-powered Stirling engines and low temperature differential Stirling engines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 7(2), pages 131-154, April.
    5. Huang, Yu-Xian & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Lin, David Ta-Wei, 2013. "Geometry optimization of thermoelectric coolers using simplified conjugate-gradient method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 689-697.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Jhen-Syuan Huang, 2020. "Development of a Beta-Type Moderate-Temperature-Differential Stirling Engine Based on Computational and Experimental Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yi-Han Tan & Tzu-Sung Liu, 2021. "Experimental and Dynamic Analysis of a Small-Scale Double-Acting Four-Cylinder α-Type Stirling Engine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Peter Durcansky & Radovan Nosek & Jozef Jandacka, 2020. "Use of Stirling Engine for Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Duc-Thuan Phung, 2021. "Numerical Optimization of the β-Type Stirling Engine Performance Using the Variable-Step Simplified Conjugate Gradient Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Duc-Thuan Phung, 2022. "Modeling of Thermal-Lag Engine with Validation by Experimental Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Yang, Hang-Suin & Tan, Yi-Han, 2022. "Theoretical model of a α-type four-cylinder double-acting stirling engine based on energy method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yu-Ting Lin, 2022. "Computational Optimization of Free-Piston Stirling Engine by Variable-Step Simplified Conjugate Gradient Method with Compatible Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yu-Ting Lin, 2020. "Optimization of a Stirling Engine by Variable-Step Simplified Conjugate-Gradient Method and Neural Network Training Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Bataineh, Khaled, 2018. "Mathematical formulation of alpha -type Stirling engine with Ross Yoke mechanism," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1178-1199.
    4. Schneider, T. & Müller, D. & Karl, J., 2020. "A review of thermochemical biomass conversion combined with Stirling engines for the small-scale cogeneration of heat and power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Marcin Wołowicz & Piotr Kolasiński & Krzysztof Badyda, 2021. "Modern Small and Microcogeneration Systems—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-47, February.
    6. Zhu, Shunmin & Yu, Guoyao & Liang, Kun & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2021. "A review of Stirling-engine-based combined heat and power technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    7. Hooshang, M. & Askari Moghadam, R. & AlizadehNia, S., 2016. "Dynamic response simulation and experiment for gamma-type Stirling engine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 192-205.
    8. Karabulut, Halit & Yücesu, Hüseyin Serdar & ÇInar, Can & Aksoy, Fatih, 2009. "An experimental study on the development of a [beta]-type Stirling engine for low and moderate temperature heat sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 68-73, January.
    9. Zare, Shahryar & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Tavakolpour-Saleh, A.R. & Lashaki, Reza Ahmadi, 2024. "A design method based on neural network to predict thermoacoustic Stirling engine parameters: Experimental and theoretical assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    10. Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Yu, Ying-Ju, 2012. "Combining dynamic and thermodynamic models for dynamic simulation of a beta-type Stirling engine with rhombic-drive mechanism," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 161-173.
    11. Mekhilef, S. & Saidur, R. & Safari, A., 2011. "A review on solar energy use in industries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1777-1790, May.
    12. Wang, Junye, 2015. "Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 640-663.
    13. Karabulut, H. & Çınar, C. & Oztürk, E. & Yücesu, H.S., 2010. "Torque and power characteristics of a helium charged Stirling engine with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 138-143.
    14. Bracco, Stefano & Delfino, Federico & Pampararo, Fabio & Robba, Michela & Rossi, Mansueto, 2013. "The University of Genoa smart polygeneration microgrid test-bed facility: The overall system, the technologies and the research challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 442-459.
    15. Zhang, Zeqin & Zhang, Zhipeng & Wang, Chenglong & Guo, Kailun & Tian, Wenxi & Su, Guanghui & Qiu, Suizheng, 2025. "Heat pipe-cooled reactors: A comprehensive review of evolution, challenges, research status, and outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    16. Rahimi, Elnaz & Babapoor, Aziz & Moradi, Gholamreza & Kalantari, Saba & Monazzam Esmaeelpour, Mohammadreza, 2024. "Personal cooling garments and phase change materials: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 190(PB).
    17. Leena Grandell & Mikael Höök, 2015. "Assessing Rare Metal Availability Challenges for Solar Energy Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Liu, Haowen & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli & Shen, Chao, 2023. "Investigation of the impact of the thermoelectric geometry on the cooling performance and thermal—mechanic characteristics in a thermoelectric cooler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    19. Pablo Jimenez Zabalaga & Evelyn Cardozo & Luis A. Choque Campero & Joseph Adhemar Araoz Ramos, 2020. "Performance Analysis of a Stirling Engine Hybrid Power System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-38, February.
    20. Sun, Henan & Ge, Ya & Liu, Wei & Liu, Zhichun, 2019. "Geometric optimization of two-stage thermoelectric generator using genetic algorithms and thermodynamic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 37-48.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:8:p:2008-:d:347133. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.