Numerical model and investigations of the externally heated valve Joule engine

The mineral fuels used recently, i.e., oil and gas, will be soon exploited out. This paper presents an idea of the engine where any fuel or solar heat can be used as a source of energy. The proposed model is an externally heated, 2-stroke, valve engine (EHVE). This is a piston-type engine, entirely different from the well-known Stirling one, which is the best known example of such a solution. It works in a closed Joule cycle and is designed to produce a moderate amount of energy. The engine is composed of typical parts met in piston designs: an expander, a compressor, a heater, a cooler and, additionally, two recirculation blowers, which consume a small amount of produced power. An additional advantage is its working medium, which may be simply atmospheric air and the engine has a conventional crankshaft and an oil lubrication system. It has already been proven that operation of the EHVE is possible with satisfactory power and efficiency at the output. Comparisons of the EHVE action with and without recirculation blowers are performed.