Numerical Simulation Analysis of Stirling Engines. Effects on Mesh Number of Regenerator Matrix.

The regenerator is the component having the most significant effect on Stirling engine performance. This paper is concerned with analyzing the effects of varying design parameters on the regenerator, especially the mesh numbers of the matrix, by numerical cycle simulation. The numerical cycle simulation is based on the nodal analysis. This approach proceeds by subdividing the working space of the engine into a number of one-dimensional control volumes. Differential equations of the continuity and energy of the working gas, as well as energy of the regenerator matrix, are developed. In particular, the regenerator space is subdivided into the order of 100 control volumes in order to accurately estimate the quantity of enthalpy carried by the working gas flow in the regenerator. The experimental results are also discussed to confirm its validity. It is shown that this method is applicable to optimization of the design parameters on the regenerator.