Int. J.

of Thermodynamics ISSN 1301-9724

Vol. 10 (No. 4), pp. 165-176, December 2007

Thermodynamic Study of a Low Temperature Difference

Stirling Engine at Steady State Operation
Nadia MARTAJ*, Lavinia GROSU1*, Pierre ROCHELLE*,**
*
Laboratoire d’Energétique et d’Economie d’Energie
50, rue de sèvres, 92 410 Ville d’Avray
**
Laboratoire de Mécanique Physique
2, av. de la Gare de Ceinture 78310 Saint Cyr l’Ecole
mgrosu@u-paris10.fr

Abstract
In the current energy economy context, the use of renewable energies and the valuation of lost
energies are the subject of many studies. From this point of view, the Stirling engine draws
attention of the researchers for its many advantages. This paper presents a thermodynamic
analysis of a low temperature Stirling engine at steady state operation; energy, entropy and exergy
balances being presented at each main element of the engine. A zero dimensional numerical
model describing the variables evolution (pressure, volumes, masses, exchanged energies,
irreversibilities...) as function of the crankshaft angle is also presented. The calculated
irreversibilities are due to imperfect regeneration and temperature differences between gas and
wall in the hot and cold exchangers. A favourable comparison was made with experimental
results obtained on an small size engine.
Keywords: Stirling engine, numerical model, thermodynamic analysis, imperfect regeneration.

1. Introduction
Cold Sink
In the past few yars the understanding of the
Stirling engine has shown considerable growth. Vc TDC
Many new applications were developed, one of y
these applications being the low temperature lr y0+lr
difference Stirling engine. This new type of
Stirling engine is able to operate with very low Vh
BDC
temperature difference between the source and the
TDC
sink of the engine. Such an engine can run simply Heat Source x
placed on a hot cup of coffee or on the hand. More x0
practical applications (pumps) have also appeared. BDC

This study presents an energetic, entropic and dead volume

exergetic analysis of a gamma type engine which
allowed the development of an equation system
describing the processes occurring at every
element of the engine. The numerical model
allows the evaluation of the processes from the
energetic, entropic and exergetic point of view as
function of the crankshaft angle (kinematics-
thermodynamics coupling).
The hot air engine configuration which one
proposes to study is presented on Figure 1. The
two pistons (working piston and displacer piston)
are connected to the same crankshaft with an
appropriate out-of-phase angle ; the displacer
piston is used jointly as a regenerator.
Figure.1. Low temperature difference Stirling
engine
2. Model of low temperature difference engine
2.1 Volume and pressure expressions
For this type of engine, compression and
expansion spaces are defined by the positions (x
and y) of the pistons compared to the
corresponding top dead centers. Compression and
expansion volumes can be expressed according to
the instantaneous pistons positions by using the
engine geometry.

1
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 165
 Vh = Vmh + ( y0 − y ) Ad + x Ap (1) dVc dVh
p( + )
Tc Th p 2  dVc dVh 
Vc = Vmc + y Ad (2) dp = − =−  +  (8)
Vc Vh Vr m  Tc Th 
+ +
Pistons positions in cylinders Tc Th Tr
From a reference state (working piston at 2.2 Energy analysis:
BDC), the instantaneous position of the working
piston in the small cylinder is written according to The differential form of the energy balance
the angle of crankshaft like: for an open system is written generally by :

x0 δ Q + δ W + ∑ hi dmi = cv d (mT ) (9)

x= (1 + cosθ ) (3)
2 2.2.1 Regenerator cell:
The position of the displacer piston, which The regenerator/displacer reciprocating
separates compression and expansion spaces in the movement forces the air of the cooling cell
large cylinder, is given by: towards the heating cell and conversely ; it is also
y0 useful to store and release the heat exchanged with
y= (1 + cos(θ − ϕ )) (4) the regenerator wall during this transfer. It is
2 supposed that the regeneration is imperfect
with ϕ generally approximated by π .
(Figure 2). The fluid temperature at the exit of the
2 regenerator (orifice at abscissa 0) towards the cold
The dead space of the regenerator (annular in cell Tc' is higher than Tc and the fluid
this case) is defined by: temperature at the exit of the regenerator (orifice
at abscissa lr) towards the hot cell Th' is lower
Vr = π .( Rcyl
2
− Rd2 ).lr (5)
than Th .
It remains constant during the operation of
the engine contrary to hot an cold volumes which T
change with positions x and y of the pistons. Th
In the following, the engine is considered as
made up of three cells: compression, regeneration ∆Tr
and heating cell.
Tc'
The instantaneous pressure, considered as Th'
uniform in the engine and its variation can be ∆Tr
expressed by using the mass balance.
Tc
The total gas mass m locked up in the engine,
which is the sum of the gas masses of the three
cells, remains constant during the operation of the
0 lr z
engine, therefore, by assuming that the gas is
perfect: Figure 2. Regenerator T-z diagram
p  Vc Vr Vh  Let define the regenerator efficiency by :
mc + mr + mh = m =  + +  (6)
r  Tc Tr Th  Th −Tc' Th' −Tc
ηr = = =1− ∆Tr (10)
dmc +dmr +dmh =0 Th −Tc Th −Tc Th −Tc
Tr being the mean temperature in the regenerator
(see Equation (12)), then : where ∆Tr represents the temperature pinch in
the regenerator, assumed identical at the two
p= m (7) extreme orifices (between C and R and between H
Vc + Vh + Vr and R):
rTc rTh rTr
While differentiating (7) and using (6) one ∆Tr =Tc' −Tc =Th −Th' (11)
obtains dp in the following form, assuming that the
In this constant-volume cell of heat storage
temperatures are constant:
and release, the work exchanged is null and the
average temperature is supposed to be constant
Tr .

166 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)

 Tc + Th p Vc = mc r Tc (18)
Tr = (12)
2
and its differential form :
In the regenerator cell, the equation (9) can
dp dVc dmc dTc
be written: + = + (19)
p Vc mc Tc
cv
δ Qr = c p Trc dmc + c p Trh dmh + Vr dp (13) The cooling cell is supposed to be isothermal.
r Thus the differential form of the state equation is
the mass dmi is positive when it enters the reduced to:
volume i. dp dVc dmc
+ = (20)
Two cases arise for each opening: p Vc mc

- flow from (C) towards (R): dmc <0 , then according to (18):
Trc =Tc , Trh = Th' . p Vc
mc = (21)
r Tc
- flow from (H) towards (R): dmh <0 , then
and :
Trh =Th , Trc = Tc' .
To determine the mass in this cell and its
differential, the equation of state is written.
dmc =
Vc
Tc
dp p
+
r Tc
dVc
r
=
1
r Tc
(
Vc dp + p dVc )
(22)
p Vr = mr r Tr
In this way the equation (16) becomes
p Vr
mr = (14) cv cp
r Tr δQc = −c pTrc dmc + Vc dp + pdVc
r r
and the mass transfer balance gives: c p  1 Trc  c  T 
δQc = V c  − dp + p p 1 − rc dVc
dmr = −dmc − dmh =
Vr
dp (15)
r  γ Tc  r  Tc 
rTr (23)

2.2.2 Cooling cell 2.2.3 Heating cell

For the cooling cell (Figure 3), which have a If the equation (9) is applied to this cell, the
single communication orifice, one can write the result is
equation (9) in the following form: cp
cv
δ Qh = −c p Trh dmh + Vh dp + p dVh (24)
δQc +δWc +c p Trc dmc =cv.d(mT )c (16) r r

as stated before, if dmc >0 (elementary mass If dmh > 0 then Trh = Th ' else Trh = Th .
entering the compression volume) then Trc =Tc' ,
else Trc =Tc .
δQh
δWc =−p dVc (17)
δQc
Th
(H)

Tc
(C)
δW c dmhe dmhs
δWh
dm ce dm cs Figure 4. Heating cell
Using the same reasoning as for the previous
Figure 3. Cooling cell cells, the air mass and its differential can be
One determines the air mass and its obtained:
differential in the compression volume by using
the perfect gas state equation: p Vh
mh = (25)
r Th
Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 167
 ηth
dmh =
Vh
Th
dp p
+
r Th
dVh
r
=
1
r Th
(
Vh dp + p dVh ) η II =
ηcarnot
(31)

(26) The temperatures of the walls considered as

In this way the equation (24) becomes sources are given by the following relations :

c p  1 Trh  c  Trh  Qc = U c Ac ( Twc − Tc ) ∆t (32)

δQh = V h  − dp + p p 1 − dVh
r  γ Th  r  Th  Qh + Qr = U h Ah Twh − Th ( ) ∆t (33)
(26’)
where ∆t is the engine revolution period and U i
2.2.4 Engine balance is the heat transfer coefficient between the gas and
During a crankshaft rotation the quantities of the cell wall i.
heat exchanged in the cooling and heating cells 2.3 Entropy analysis
are: Qh = ∫ δQh and Qc = ∫ δQc obtained by In the same way as previously, the entropic
integration of the equations (23) and (26’). balance of an open system is written in the form:
With the considered assumptions δQ
dS = + se .dme − ss .dms +δπ (34)
( Tc ' − Tc = Th − Th ' ), an additional correcting T
quantity of heat Qr , to bring by the hot source, is applied to the three cells.
essential.
2.3.1 Regenerator cell
This deficit is due to the inequality of the
masses transferred at the interfaces cooling cell– The entropy balance of this cell is:
regenerator cell and heating cell–regenerator cell
(different densities). δ Qr
dSr = − src dmc − srh dmh + δπ r (35)
Tr
∫ δQ r = ∫ c p Trc dmc + ∫ c p Trh dmh
src and srh are the specific entropies of the
Notice : if ηr =100% then Tri = Ti = cst fluid associated with the mass flow through the
throughout the cycle and Qr =0 . entries of the cell:
The overall engine balance is written : Trc p
src = s0 + c p .ln( ) − r.ln( ) (36)
W + Qc + Qh + Qr = 0 T0 p0

W = −(Qc + Qh + Qr ) (27) srh = s0 + c p .ln(

Trh
) − r.ln(
p
) (37)
T0 p0
This work is carried out by the working
piston during compression and expansion. It can s0, T0 , p0 are reference parameters.
be also calculated by the following expression:
Two possible cases arise, again:
dW =dWc + dWh
- first case, flow between (R) and (C) : if dmc > 0
dWc and dWh having been expressed
previously. After integration: then src = sc' (and Trc = Tc' ), else src = sc (and
Trc = Tc ).
W =Wc +Wh (28)
- second case : flow between (H) and (R), if
This work is also: dmh > 0 then srh = sh' (and Trh = Th' ), else

∫
W =− pdV (29) srh = sh (and Trh = Th ).

with p : the internal pressure. 2.3.2 Cooling cell

and, dV : the total air volume variation For the cooling cell case, one obtains:
The thermal engine efficiency can be δ Qc
expressed by: dSc = + src .dmc (38)
Tc
ηth = W (30)
Qh +Qr As it was already noted, the specific
entropies depend on the direction of the flow:
and the second low efficiency by :
168 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)
 If dmc > 0 then src = sc ' (and Trc = Tc' ), else 2.3.4 Engine entropy balance
src = sc (and Trc = Tc ). The engine entropy balance is written
excluding external entropy generation below,
The entropy flow follows the heat transfer using (35), (38) and (41) :
direction and increases with the temperature
difference. δQc δQh δQr
dSc +dSh +dSr = + + +δπ r =0 (44)
The external entropy generation δπ c , due to Tc Th Tr
the temperature pinch between the cold source
(wall) and the gas ( Tsc and Tc ), is the difference where δπ r is the regenerator entropy generation.
between the entropy received by the cold source
δQ δQ δQ
and the entropy transferred by the cooling cell δπ r =−( c + h + r ) (45)
(Figure 5). Tc Th Tr

δπ c =dSsc −dSc (39) 2.4 Exergy analysis

  In order to evaluate the effectiveness of each
δπ c = δQc  1 − 1  (40)
 Tsc Tc  cell, one now proposes to write the exergetic
balance for an open system:
Tc T0
δQc dEx = (1 − )δ Q + δ W + p0 .dV + ∑ exi f .dmi − T0 δπ int
dSc T
(46)
δπ c
Cooling cell
applied to each one of these cells.
exif : represents the specific exergy associated
δQc
dS sc with the mass flow dmi .
Tsc
Figure 5. Functional entropy balance diagram of
the cooling cell
exif = ( hi − h0 ) − T0 ( si − s0 ) (47)

2.3.3 Heating cell In the following, for our particular

application, the external exergetic expenditure is
One writes the entropy balance in the heating from the cold sink (Tc<T0) (we use a cold fluid
cell under the form : recuperation as cold sink of the engine, like a ice
stones pack); T0, the ambient temperature (hot
δ Qh
dSh = + srh .dmh (41) source temperature), will be the reference
Th temperature.

If dmh > 0 then srh = sh ' (and Trh = Th' ), 2.4.1 Regenerator cell
else srh = sh (and Trh = Th ). The regenerator cell volume is constant
during the engine operation, dVr =0 and δWr =0 ,
The difference between entropy received by
thus equation (46) becomes :
air and the entropy transferred by the hot source
represents the « external » entropy generation due T0
to the temperature pinch (Figure 6). dExr = ( 1 − )δ Qr − exrcf .dmc − exrhf .dmh − T0 .δπ r
Tr
δπ h =dS h −dS sh (42) (48)
  First case : for a flow from (C) to (R)
δπ h =δQh  1 − 1  (43)
T T
 h sh  if dmc < 0 , then exrcf = excf ,
Th
dSh else exrcf = exc'f .
δQh δπ h Second case : for a flow from (H) to (R)
Heating cell
if dmh < 0 , then exrhf = exhf ,

else exrhf = exh'f .

δQh dS sh
Tsh
Figure 6. Functional entropy diagram of the
heating cell
Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 169
 2.4.2 Cooling cell T0
δExδTQscC = (1− )δQc represents the exergy of
The exergy balance in the compression space Tsc
can be expressed by :
heat δQc at the temperature Tsc and,
T0
dExc = ( 1 − )δ Qc + δ Wc + p0 .dVc + exrcf .dmc (49) T0
Tc δExδTQc C = (1−
Tc
)δQc is the exergy of heat δQc
exrcf = ( hrc − h0 ) − T0 ( src − s0 )

( )
exrcf = c p Trc − T0 − T0 src − s0( ) (50)
but at the temperature Tc .
Then
where, the interface entropy is expressed by
c =T ( 1 − 1 ) δQc =T δπ
δExlost (52)
0 0 c
Trc p Tsc Tc
src = s0 + c p .ln( ) − r.ln( )
T0 p0 2.4.3 Heating cell:
As in paragraph 2-3, the specific exergies In a similar way to the cell of compression
depend on the interface temperatures and the treatment, one makes the exergy balance in the
reference state considered : space of expansion and one obtains:
If dmc >0 , then exrcf = exc'f , else exrcf = excf . T0
dExh = ( 1 − )δ Qh + δ Wc + p0 dVh + exrhf .dmh (53)
The functional diagram of the cooling cell Th
(Figure 7) reveals the exergies exchanged by the
gas with the cold sink.
exrhf ( )
= c p Trh − T0 − T0 srh − s0 ( ) (54)

Trh p
Tsc where srh = s0 + c p .ln( ) − r.ln( ).
T0 p0
δQc δExδTQscc
δExlost
c If dmh > 0 then exrhf = exhf ' else exrhf = exhf .

Cooling cell The functional diagram of exergy of this cell

is presented in Figure 8.
δQc δExδTQc c

Tc
( )
Tsh =T0
δExδTQsh =0
δQh sh

Figure 7. Functional exergetic diagram of the δExlost

h
cooling cell
Heating cell
The direction of transfer of exergy is opposed
to the direction of transfer of heat since the level
of the temperatures is lower than the ambient δQh δEx
Th

temperature of reference T0 . The exergy of a fluid

δQh Th <T0

whose temperature is lower than T0 increases if it Figure 8. Functional exergy diagram of the
is cooled more; it is what occurs in the cooling cell heating cell
of compression: as Tc <T0 , the exergy of the gas
This time, the temperature Th is lower than
increases.
the ambient temperature T0 = Tsh , the flow of
The exergy balance makes it possible to exergie does not follow the heat flow.
deduce the lost exergy due to the pinch of
temperatures between the cooling cell and the cold The lost exergy due to the pinch of
source. temperatures between the hot source and the
heating cell is written:
δExδTQscC =δExlost
c + δExTc
δQC (51)
h = δExTh
δExlost (55)
δQh
where,

170 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)

 T0 3. Results and analyses:
where δExδTQh
sh
=(1− )δQh =0 represents the
Tsh The model described previously is used to
exergy of heat δ Qh at the temperature Tsh =T0 represent the operation of the engine during one
rotation of crankshaft.
and
T0 The initial data are listed in the following
δExδTQh h = (1− )δQh represents the exergy of heat table:
Th
TABLE I. INITIAL DATA
δQh at the temperature Th .
a) Dimensional and mechanical data of the actual
Then engine
h =T ( 1 − 1 )δQh =T δπ working piston stroke:
δExlost 0 0 h (56)
x0 (m)
0,007
Th Tsh
working piston diameter:
0,0095
2.4.4 Exergetic characteristics of the Dp (m)
engine: working piston swept
4,9618.10-7
volume: Vp (m3)
The exergetic efficiency is defined generally displacer piston stroke :
by the ratio:
0,007
Useful effect/Exergetic expenditure, it is y0 (m)
written: displacer piston diameter:
0,077
Dd (m)
W W
ηex = = (57) displacer piston swept
3,2596.10-5
Tsh  T0  volume: Vd (m3)
 ( Qh + Qr )
Ex
Qh + Qr 1 −
 Tsh  proportion of cold dead
0,1
volume: Vmc/Vd (-)
if Tsh >T0 and Tsc ≈T0 . proportion of hot dead
0,1
volume: Vmh/Vd (-)
W W proportion of regenerator
Or η ex = = (58) dead volume: Vr/Vd (-)
0,2
Ex Tsc
 T0  out-of-phase angle of the
Qc 1 − Qc
 T  pistons: ϕ ( ° ) 90
 sc 
number of revolutions of
180
if Tsh ≈T0 and Tsc <T0 (our case: exergetic the engine: N(tr/min)
expenditure at the cold source). b) Thermodynamic characteristics of the engine
(for simulation)
For this second case of figure, which relates temperature of gas in cold
290
to the numerical application presented below, the volume: Tc (K)
maximum exergetic efficiency is the ratio: temperature of gas in hot
292
volume: Th (K)
thermal transfer coefficient
ηex max = Wmax (59) (hot side): hh (W/m2 K)
10
ExTsc
Qc thermal transfer coefficient
10
(cold side): hc (W/m2 K)
Tc regenerator efficiency:
with, Wmax = ηCarnot (Qh + Qr ) and, ηCarnot = 1 −
Th ηr [%] 50

Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 171

 1,012E+05
We defined the data of the state of reference (0) as
it follows: 1,010E+05

1,008E+05
T0 =296,3 K
1,006E+05
p0 =105 Pa
p[Pa ]1,004E+05
s0 =6,858 J / kg K 1,002E+05

1,000E+05
3.1 First simulation results:
9,980E+04
0.008
9,960E+04
4,56E-05 4,57E-05 4,58E-05 4,59E-05 4,60E-05 4,61E-05 4,62E-05
0.006
[ ]
Vt m3

y[m] 0.004
Figure 12. Engine p-V diagram
The out-of-phase movements of the two
0.002
pistons (engine piston and displacer piston) can be
followed on Figure 9.
0 Figure 10 shows the variations of hot and
x[m]
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008
cold volumes according to the crankangle. It
illustrates well the low variations of the working
Figure 9. Working piston (x) and displacer piston volume compared to those of the hot or cold
(y) instantaneous positions volumes. Variation of the working volume is not
[ ]
V m3 4,000E-05 (H)
shown because it is nearly one percent of the
displacer swept volume.
(C)
3,000E-05 Figures 11 and 12 show the variations of
pressure in the cylinder according to the angle of
crankshaft or the total volume of the engine (p-V
2,000E-05 diagram).
The following table provides the results of
1,000E-05 the simulation:
TABLE II. RESULTS FOR A COMPLETE
0,000E+00
CYCLE SIMULATION
0 60 120 180 240 300
crankshaft angle cycle work: Wcycle[J ] -1,909.10-4
cold side heat: Qc[J ] -6,705.10-2
Figure 10. Expansion volume, compression
volume and working volume versus crankshaft hot side heat: Qh[J ] 6,720.10-2
angle regenerator heat: Qr [J ] 3,768.10-5
p[Pa ] 1,015E+05 thermal efficiency: ηth[% ] 0,28
hot side temp.: Th[K ] 292
1,010E+05 cold side temp.: Tc[K ] 290
Carnot efficiency.: ηcarnot [%] 0,7
1,005E+05 hot wall temp.: Twh[K ] 296,3
cold wall temp.: Twc[K ] 285,6
1,000E+05 reg. entropy prod.: π r [J / K ] 9,292.10-7
cold entropy prod.: π c[J / K ] 3,495.10-6
9,950E+04 hot entropy prod.: π h[J / K ] 3,363.10-6
0 100 200 300 r [J ]
regen. exergy loss: Exlost 2,753.10-4
crankshaft angle c [J ]
cold exergy loss: Exlost 1,035.10-3
Figure 11. Pressure versus crankshaft h [J ]
hot exergy loss: Exlost 9,967. 10-4
angle
exergetic efficiency: ηex[%] 7,63
max. exergetic eff.: ηexmax [%] 18,7

172 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)

 3.2 Sensitivity study: 3.2.2 Cold side gas temperature:
The central parameters of this study of TABLE IV. SENSITIVITY OF THE
sensitivity are: EFFICIENCY OUTPUTS COMPARED TO THE

The proportion of the regenerator dead COLD GAS TEMPERATURE
volume Vmr /Vd = 0,2 Tc[K ] Th −Tc ηth [%] ηcarnot [%] ηex [%] η II [%]

The temperature of the cold side gas (air) 291 1 0,20 0,34 8,16 58,62
Tc = 290K
290 2 0,28 0,68 7,64 41,41

The regenerator efficiency η r =50% .
289 3 0,33 1,03 6,59 32,07
3.2.1 Regenerator dead volume: 288 4 0,36 1,37 5,67 26,14

TABLE III. SENSITIVITY OF THE One notices on Figure 14 the evolution of the
EFFICIENCY OUTPUTS VERSUS efficiencies according to the temperature of the gas
PROPORTION OF REGENERATOR DEAD (air) on the cold side, therefore of the difference of
VOLUME
η II 90 9
Vr / Vd [ − ] ηth [%] ηex [%] η th , η ex
0,1 0,30 7,77 ηex
0,2 0,28 7,64 60 6

0,3 0,27 7,50

η II
30 3
0,3065 7,8
η th ηex η th
0,2965 0 0
ηex 7,65 1 2 3 4

Th −Tc
0,2865
η th Figure 14. η th , η ex and η II versus
7,5
0,2765
temperature difference Th −Tc

0,2665 7,35 temperature Th −Tc . It is obvious that for a more

0,1 0,2 0,3
Vr / Vd
Figure 13. η th and η ex variations
versus regenerator dead volume ratio
Vmr /Vd
Figure 13 presents the influence of
regenerator dead volume on the thermal and
exergetic efficiencies. It is obviously necessary to
limit as far as possible this dead volume since it is
a volume of gas which handicaps the engine
performance.
important difference of temperature the engine
uses better the heat provided at each cycle what
implies a higher thermal efficiency.
On the other hand, since the air will be colder
on the cold side, the exergetic expenditure which
represents the exergy Qc at temperature TSC also
increases, which makes decrease the exergetic
efficiency.
On Figure 15, one traces entropy generation
according to the difference of the hot and cold
temperatures of the gas. One realizes that if the
difference in temperature increases, entropy
generation in the three cells of the engine increase,
which cause a drop in the degree of quality of the
engine.

Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 173

 TABLE V. SENSITIVITY OF ENTROPY As one can see on Figure 16 and TABLE VI,
PRODUCTIONS VERSUS TEMPERATURE OF the efficiency of the regenerator has a great
THE COLD GAS influence on the thermal and exergetic efficiencies
of the engine. A better regeneration increases the
Tc[K ] Th −Tc π c[J / K ] π h[J / K ] π r [J / K ] thermal efficiency, since same work will be
291 1 1,718.10-6 1,677.10-6 2,306.10-7 provided for a lower energy expenditure from the
290 2 3,495.10-6 3,364. 0-6 9,292.10-7 hot source.
289 3 5,949.10-6 5,638.10-6 2,106.10-6 The exergetic efficiency increase is due to the
288 4 9,119.10-6 8,507.10-6 3,772.10-6 reduction of the exergy expenditure at the cold
sink. In fact, the temperature of this sink increases,
approaching the temperature of the gas (a constant
for this study of sensitivity) which decreases its
0,000012
energy quality, as TSC<T0.
TABLE VII. SENSITIVITY OF THE
0,000008 πc TEMPERATURE OF THE WALLS TO THE
EVOLUTION OF THE REGENERATOR
EFFICIENCY (with fixed Tc and Th)
πh
0,000004 ηr [%] Twh[K ] Twc[K ] ∆Tw
0 298,867 283,144 15,723
πr 25 297,599 284,412 13,187
0
1 2 3 4
50 296,331 285,680 10,651
75 295,063 286,948 8,115
Th −Tc 100 293,795 288,216 5,579
Figure 15. Entropy productions On Figure 17, one sees that if the regenerator
π c , π h and π r versus Th −Tc efficiency increases, the difference of temperatures
between the hot and cold walls decreases with a
3.2.3 Regenerator efficiency: 300

TABLE VI. SENSITIVITY OF THE OTHER Twh

EFFICIENCY OUTPUTS VERSUS 294
REGENERATOR EFFICIENCY
ηr [%] ηth [%] ηex [%] η II [%] 288
0 0,18 3,23 26,15 Twc
25 0,22 4,75 32,07
282
50 0,28 7,64 41,46 0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1
75 0,40 14,25 58,62
100 0,68 35,26 100 ηr
Figure17. Variations of Twc
and Twh versus η r
45,00% 0,90%
ηex ηth
( )
constant Tc −Th . This is due to the reduction of
30,00% 0,60% the transferred heat quantities.
TABLE VIII. SENSITIVITY OF ENTROPY
GENERATIONS TO THE REGENERATOR
ηth EFFICIENCY
15,00% 0,30%
ηex ηr [%] π c[J / K ] π h[J / K ] π r [J / K ]
-6 -6
0 8,883.10 8,381. 10 1,858. 10-6
0,00% 0,00%
25 5,874. 10-6 5,60. 10-6 1,393. 10-6
0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1 50 3,495. 10-6 3,36. 10-6 9,291. 10-7
ηr 75 1,736. 10-6 1,690. 10-6 4,645. 10-7
100 5,907. 10-7 5,84. 10-7 0
Figure 16. Variations of ηth
and η ex versus η r

174 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)

 0,0000122 5. Conclusion:
In this paper, we present a thermodynamic
study of one γ type Stirling engine at low
0,000009
πc temperature difference and steady state operation.
Energy, entropy and exergy balances were carried
out at each element of the engine, according to the
0,000006 kinematics of the pistons (displacer and working
πh
pistons).
A sensitivity study of the engine efficiencies
0,000003
and creations of entropy with respect to various
πr parameters of the model (regenerator efficiency,
cold temperature of gas, dead volume of the
0 regenerator) was carried out.
0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1
ηr The results of simulation make it possible to
Figure 18. Variations of π c , π h and π r locate the optimum conditions for operation of this
versus η r engine which give the best efficiencies and the
smallest productions of entropy, to minimize the
operating cost. This model was validated by a
Generation of entropy in the three cells of the
comparison with experimental results of actual
engine decrease with the regenerator efficiency
engines.
increase : higher is this efficiency, less important
are the losses due to the differences of temperature Nomenclature
and the losses due to imperfect regeneration.
A Section, [m2]
4. Comparison with experimental results: cp Specific heat at p=cst, [J/kg K]
cv Specific heat at V= cst, [J/kg K]
Tests on a nearly identical engine as ours
Ex Exergy, [J]
with low ∆T were carried out by H. Roussel [7].
For two experimental points, he published the
ex Specific exergy, [J/kg]
following results : h Specific enthalpy, [J/kg]
l Length, [m]
Th − Tc
∆Tw N[tr / min ] W [J ] p Pressure, [Pa]
Q Heat, [J]
3 21 199 2,89.10-4 R Radius, [m]
2,6 5 ,5 20 2,46.10-4 r Specific gas constant, [J/kg K]
The results obtained by our model are located S Entropy, [J/K]
s Specific entropy, [J/kg K]
in the same order of magnitude while taking ηr =0 T Temperature, [K]
and Th − Tc = 3°C . Our calculated work in this t Time, [s]
case, Wcal = 2,91.10−4 J , and that measured by H. U Heat exchange coefficient, [W/m2 K]
u Velocity, [m/s]
Roussel (2.89.10-4 J) are very close. We carried V Volume, [m3]
out tests on our engine, very similar to those of H. W Work, [J]
Roussel, which confirm his results. x Position of the working piston, [m]
A test bench is under development ; pressure y Position of the displacer, [m]
and piston position pick-ups will allow the direct θ Angle of crankshaft, [-]
calculation of the indicated work provided by gas, π Entropy generation, [J/K]
by the layout of the real cycle on a p-V diagram ; ϕ Out-of-phase angle, [-]
temperature sensors, a controlled electric heating, η Efficiency, [-]
an effective insulation, various mechanical
adjustments (strokes, out-of-phase angle) Indices:
supplement this equipment and will make it
possible to obtain the indicated efficiency and the a ambiant conditions
Carnot efficiency of the engine, as well as a c cold
modulation of the kinematics of the engine. This cyl cylinder
will make it possible to better validate this d displacer
thermodynamic model. i inlet, outlet

Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4) 175

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sc cold source model to simulate a low temperature differential
sh hot source Ringbom Stirling engine”, Thermo- and GFD
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0 reference state ROCHELLE P., 2005, ”LDT Stirling engine
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176 Int. J. of Thermodynamics, Vol. 10 (No. 4)