Stirling Heat Engine to Stirling Heat Pump : How is it done?

Stirling engines have been around since the nineteenth century. They are an elegantly simple way of generating power using temperature differentials, but nobody ever found a way to make them efficient enough for wide scale use. Now a UK company has developed a heat pump system based on the principles of the Stirling Engine, but with some ingenious adaptations, using no HFC refrigeration gases and with a 30% saving in energy costs compared to existing systems.

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[raindogs]

I’m a 30 year HVAC guy with a great deal of knowledge on a micro level of installing and maintaining these types of systems, but with a tiny fraction of your knowledge on a more global scale, including the science, and policy wrestling. I comment ONLY (because I don’t think I have any particularly useful knowledge) but because I’ve come to the realization that often personal pain has to be induced to get people to move. “We’re all going to die” is a diffuse and hazy concept and so people fiddle while Rome burns. Tell them, “energy costs will rise 20% next month IN YOUR HOME”, and people will move; they’ll buy a more efficient unit. The same principle existed when gas prices shot up: SUV sales plummeted, while small car sales shot up. I perceive that “global warming is going to kill your grandkids” isn’t an evolutionary wolf at the door threat to compel people. As much as I hate to say it, personal pain is needed. Most people are reactionary, as opposed to proactive. Self interest induces inertia.

[haroldb]

I was first introduced to the Stirling cycle as a young mechanical engineering student, during a summer with the navy. At the time, the Stirling cycle was being considered as an engine for submarines. For years, it was an obscure, niche cycle, never finding wide adoption and recognition. It's great to hear that it might finally have its day.

[carlbrenninkmeijer]

What I like most is how clear your presentations are !

[grahamboddington]

Love your channel. Commercially available in 3 years. I recently installed a Hot Water Heat Pump System that uses R744 (CO2) refrigerant technology rather than the CFC's. Love the idea that CO2 is put to a better use. The max COP is 5.9 at 30 deg C and still a COP of 3 at -10 deg C. Would love to use this technology in 3 years time but in the meantime it is still possible to implement significantly improved heat exchange systems. Don't wait for the better technology - go improve what you have now. Use all the options available rather then waiting for the best one still to come. Same with motivating people - there in no one best way. Different things motivate different people - use them all. Even the trolls will change eventually - ignore them and just get on with it.

[willmcgo]

There are commercial Stirling heat pumps that are used to cool to cryogenic temperatures. Some of those units are used for cooling superconducting RF filters on cell towers. When the cold end of the unit is put in a thermos it can cool air enough to liquefy it . Probably not very efficient, but very compact and simpler than typical compressor based refrigerant systems.
This is a great video, thanks!

[PeterJFlower]

Wow what a brilliant idea. I've worked as a consultant engineer in the HVAC industry since the 1970's and I never thought that Stirling Engines could do that. I'm guessing that it works backwards as well providing heating on cold days as well as cooling on hot days. I have a working model of the stirling engine just like yours and I have always been facinated by it, now I know why.
Wouldn't it be great if all of the factories currently making soon to be redundant petrol and diesel engines could change to producing these in hug quanitities, giving economies of scale and better prices.

[benm]

I am an inventor and in my past life a HVAC mechanic so my knowledge in this field and the design overview tells me they are on the right path but missing a few key pieces to make this commercially viable. One issue is the helium with supply, cost and required containment as well as the mechanical difficulties they are encountering in the life cycle of this application. The properties needed for the level of efficiency they are trying to achieve may require a hybrid secondary delivery system. Well done though and a great video. We are the makers and so we are the future of technology in the pursuit of a better world.

[pdxyadayada]

..you know how difficult it is to find good news (solutions) these days? Thank you for your ongoing endeavors!

[stephenwilliams]

The algorithm sent me your way a few weeks ago and I gotta say that I really appreciate your channel. I have very little technical knowledge of engineering and yet I am usually able to wrap my mind around the concepts you're describing. Thanks!

[chuckkottke]

Dave, several years back I attended a Midwest Renewable Energy Fair and asked an old salt why Stirling solar wasn't the mainstay, given its efficiency at converting solar energy into electricity. His answer was that due to so many complex and wearing parts, seal issues, and overall cost, PV panels were preferred. As time passes, these problems may be solved, so it's refreshing to see the work being done on heating and cooling systems with Stirling engines. Thank you for bringing forth a good look at the current state of technology in this field.🌄. One other thought: what about Peltier junction coolers; are they making progress on them for vehicle or home cooling? 🌡️💧🌞

[tomastomesek]

Your channel is fantastic. As a Science teacher I want to show the kids the cutting edge of what is around. Your channel does that. I noticed Australia has so many excellent technologies and companies that provide or underpin sustainability.

[davidkirkland]

I am an HVACR master technician. If this is true this company has found the end of the rainbow. You people will control my industry in 10 years.

[janhemmer]

60 years ago Philips in the Netherlands developed the "koudgas koelmachine", as a spinoff from its Stirling research.
Had all those features - swash plate, regenerator and compressed helium.
These are used all around the world for cryogenic research.
Only the heat exchanging, pumped system dipping in a liquid is a new idea - and a great one I must admit!
Everybody will be happy with a noiseless heat pump that doesn't drive you mad with infra sound.

[MegaSnail]

As always your reports offer hope for the future. I can't thank you enough for all of your well done presentations. Lets hope some big investors are following your reports. Be well.

[arturoeugster]

This is exactly what ~30 years ago Atlantis Energy Ltd installed in the maintenance shops in Vaulruz is Switzerland
A stirling heat pump using hydrogen working gas. The only problem is to be sure that no air is introduced during the occasional replenishment.
The Delaval Stirling unit was used.

[Warekiwi]

Another excellent report! Now I feel guilty as I'm about to install a 5kw air to air aircon system to cool my living room duringly the increasingly hot UK summer. I wonder if the system you described will ever work at the smaller end of the market? Another use of Stirling engines that you may not have heard of was the Whispertech co-generation system. Designed and made in NZ but marketed in the UK during the 90s. It ran on natural gas and replaced a domestic boiler with the extra benefit of about 1kw of electrical power. Sadly the Christchurch earthquake destroyed the factory and production never restarted.

[MervynPartin]

The refrigerant in our wall mounted, air sourced heat pump/air conditioner is R290 which is, I believe, a high purity Propane. We have found it very effective in heat pump mode, but are now waiting for some warm weather to see how effective it is in cooling.
That was merely to say that there are other refrigerants than CFCs available, even Ammonia might possibly be used in sealed domestic units.
The Stirling cycle machine shown looks promising, although I have misgivings about the use of Helium which is a very finite resource. Perhaps Hydrogen might be an alternative? Both gases have their problems with containment due to their small molecular size, and Hydrogen embrittlement of steel is an issue.
I look forward to developments and hope that system proves successful.

[grinpick]

I watch your videos regularly and really like your presentation style. I somehow have the feeling that if I were walking past your house you'd tell me the kettle had just boiled and invite me to sit on the porch with you and have a cup of tea. And me, a loutish American who'd prefer coffee. But I'd still accept, with alacrity (which, in this case, is how I take my tea. But I digress.) The technology in this episode seems potentially even more transformative than your usual. Hope it can be packaged in a practical, scalable and durable device. Thank you for making me better informed.

[mrpaul]

Great potential for this so called old technology. Turns out to be an elegant solution to a modern problem.

[chargingcycles]

I was lucky enough to buy one of the Coleman Stirling cooler/freezers over a decade ago. Just used it last weekend... Lovely device.