Experimental model of thermoelectric power plant with gamma Stirling engine

Increasing environmental pollution by using fossil fuels to obtain electricity requires the replacement of these renewable energies with renewable energy. One of the renewable energies is the solar one. Solar energy can be used to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells, respectively with Stirling engine and Fresnel lenses. Using Fresnel lenses, the solar radiation is concentrated on the engines warm area, increasing the temperature of that area. In this paper we analyze an experimental model of the thermoelectric power plant where the solar radiation is replaced by the energy obtained by burning butane. A butane lamp is used for this. It is analyzed how different parameters influence the functioning of the thermoelectric power plant. The Stirling engine used is of gamma type and the electric generator is DC. It is studied how the value of the load resistance and generator speed influences the power plants efficiency. It is also studied how the temperature value of the hot zone or cold area influences the efficiency of the Stirling engine and how the efficiency of the experimental model of the thermoelectric power plant is influenced by the value of the generator load resistance, the temperature of the hot zone and the cold area of the Stirling engine, and the speed of the electric generator.