Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Hybrids
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 05-20-2013, 08:25 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hollywood, Fl.
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Parallel Diesel/Stirling hybrid?

Hey everyone. I have a lot of downtime at work and watched a bunch of videos on the Stirling engine. This thing is quite interesting. I googled it and there have been some commercial applications but mostly home experiments. I had an idea which Im sure is not original. If you had a lightweight rwd vehicle with a parallel hybrid drivetrain (small diesel engine, trans, elec motor, rear axle) you could plumb a large stirling engine into the exhaust stream. Obviously taking necessary steps to keep the heat in the exhaust pipe via wraps and insulation and having the head of the engine directly in the hot exhaust gas stream. The stirling would be connected to a gen head which would charge the batteries. Im wondering if recapturing this waste heat in this matter would be worth it. This would probably have to be a small truck with the gen setup in the bed. Thoughts please.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 05-20-2013, 08:29 PM   #2 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
Gains would have to be worth the cost, complexity, volume eaten up, and weight.
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 08:07 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master Novice
 
elhigh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE USA - East Tennessee
Posts: 2,314

Josie - '87 Toyota Pickup
90 day: 40.02 mpg (US)

Felicia - '09 Toyota Prius Base
90 day: 49.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 427
Thanked 616 Times in 450 Posts
Exhaust is hot, but is it hot enough? I'm not smart enough to have that kind of math in my head, but if you want decent power out of a Stirling, it's all about the delta-T. Lower temperatures require larger heat exchangers, larger displacer pistons, and generally lower revs. You might wind up going backward in terms of efficiency.

It might be easier to just stick a hundred Seebeck devices onto the exhaust pipe and obviate your alternator.
__________________




Lead or follow. Either is fine.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 04:11 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
P-hack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,408

awesomer - '04 Toyota prius
Thanks: 102
Thanked 252 Times in 204 Posts
Here is a pretty cool sterling RC car, you can see though that it is pretty bulky and weak.


  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com