Exploration of a slow-speed expansion Stirling generator with supercritical fluid as a working and lubricating medium

As part of the StirliQ project, an almost maintenance-free, slow-rotating expansion generator is being developed that has the potential to overcome the technical challenges of current Stirling engines.

The technical innovation is a Stirling engine with a supercritical fluid as the working and lubricating medium. The conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy takes place under high pressure with very little attrition through particularly slow piston movements in an oil bath. The heat transfer takes place at the same time in the expansion space, the heart of the StirliQ engine.

The process parameters of the StirliQ engine are limited on the basis of defined industrial waste heat levels and media to such an extent that reliable pre-dimensioning of system components is possible.

The project results serve as the basis for further research into this technology.

• Prozess Optimal CAP GmbH