Optimization of the irreversible stirling heat engine

The effects of inefficiencies in the compression, expansion and regeneratio n processes on engine performance have been evaluated theoretically for a S tirling heat engine operating in a closed regenerative thermodynamic cycle. The irreversible cycle has been optimized by using the maximum power densi ty technique. Maximized power and maximized power density are obtained for different n(ex), tau, alpha(c), alpha(h), eta(c), eta(ex) and eta(reg) valu es. The maximum efficiencies have been found very close to the values corre sponding to the maximum power density conditions but far from the values at maximum power. It has been found that the engines designed by considering the maximum power density have high efficiencies and small sizes under the same prescribed conditions. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.