Effect of Coupling Moroccan Argan Nut Shell Combustion with a New Designed Stirling Engine on Power Generated and Efficiency

Abstract

Recently, Stirling Engine is attracting many researchers and professionals. It can be used to develop a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, generating both heat and mechanical or electrical power. One effective method to build this system is coupling a Stirling engine with a biomass furnace. In this project, the combustion of Argan nut shell biomass is simulated using Ansys fluent. The development and the optimization of Stirling engine are presented and discussed, in order to create the preliminary design of the S.E alpha type. The key parameters, the thermal and the mechanical analysis are presented in precision basing on Beale equation, scaling and similarity principles, to describe the real S.E mathematically. The ideal adiabatic model is used, and then the performance of the engine is determined. The proposed S.E has a design operating point of 2 MPa, which corresponds to a speed of around 1800 RPM and produces mechanical power of 1.3 kW. The working fluid can be helium, Hydrogen or Air. The analysis takes into account the effects of temperature at the heater, the regenerator effectiveness, the volumetric ratio, the piston stroke, and the moving speed of the piston. Output power and efficiency of the thermal engine are maximized by the rising temperature at the heater, increasing rotational speed, and by choosing a gas working high quality. The designed S.E is made to build a mini Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system to generate electricity and heat simultaneously. It can be also applied to the automotive sector, household uses and other industrial applications. The results could assist researchers in creating a suitable and effective cogeneration system by using a Stirling engine.