Proceedings of the
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering 2009
(ICME2009) 26- 28 December 2009, Dhaka, Bangladesh

ICME09-TH-29

PERFORMANCE OF A BIOGAS RUN STIRLING GENERATOR

M. Shahzada Chowdhury1 and Md. Ehsan2
1Central Locomotive Workshop, Parbatipur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Dhaka, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

New technologies for harnessing power and heat from biomass are being developed to widen such applications. Multi-fuel capabilities, continuous combustion, improved torque and emission characteristics and better part load efficiency are advantages of a Stirling cycle engine. By factoring in the pollution-related environmental and social costs associated with fossil and nuclear fuels, bio electricity is becoming a competitive energy alternative. A Stirling generator developed by DEKA Research and Development Corp., USA was studied to for small scale (1 kW DC) electricity production using bio gas fuel. The project was situated in Manikganj in Bangladesh. Biogas produced from a fixed-dome digester was used as fuel for the Stirling-generator charged with Helium as working fluid. The study focused on performance parameters such as: air-fuel ratio, brake specific fuel consumption, overall efficiency, re-generator heat input, different temperatures, engine speed, and exhaust emissions – at different power levels. The study revealed that the generator performed most efficiently at about 60-70% of the maximum rated load. The overall efficiency ranged 14-24%, which was higher compared to typical petrol engine generators used in small scale power generation. The temperature attained in the hot end was reasonable, although it showed some drop in internal fluid pressure with time, indicating need of improvements in seal durability.

Keywords: Stirling-Generator, Stirling Engine, Small Scale Power Generation, Bio-gas, Alternative fuel.

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