How Stirling engines work
Video
Video (00:58 minutes, without sound):
The Stirling engine in operation and the starting and stopping procedure.
English, Spanish (CREA), German
2018-07-13
This medium is made available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 international license.
What does this mean?
How to reference this medium
The video shows that there is no exchange of working medium with the ambient air but only a heat exchange. That is the main difference compared with internal combustion engines and enables relatively corrosion-free and non-wearing construction. Stirling engines run extremely quietly. It is possible to use heat from practically any form of combustion for “heating" (natural gas, hydrogen, petroleum oil, plant oil). In the video an ordinary spirit burner is used. Solar energy can also be used (see solar thermal power plants).
Incidentally: Modern Stirling engines attain the same efficiency as good diesel engines. The running speed is, however, relatively slow and difficult to regulate so they are less well suited for use in cars.
Information and ideas:
From second 30 the video runs in slow motion to allow better observation.
Incidentally: Modern Stirling engines attain the same efficiency as good diesel engines. The running speed is, however, relatively slow and difficult to regulate so they are less well suited for use in cars.
Information and ideas:
From second 30 the video runs in slow motion to allow better observation.
How Stirling engines work (Text)
Illustration
Physics; Technology
Grade 5 to 6; Grade 7 to 9; Grade 10 to 13
Middle/high school
Energy; Engine; Physics; Stirling, Robert; Cyclic process; Energy conversion; Engine; Stirling engine; Thermodynamics
Siemens Stiftung Media Portal
MediaHouse GmbH
© Siemens Stiftung 2018
