SCHMIDT THEORY FOR STIRLING ENGINES

KOICHI HIRATA
National Maritime Research Institute
E-mail: khirata@nmri.go.jp
http://www.nmri.go.jp/env/khirata/

1. INTRODUCTION

The Schmidt theory is one of the isothermal calculation methods for Stirling
engines. It is the most simple method and very useful during Stirling engine
development.
This theory is based on the isothermal expansion and compression of an ideal
gas.

2. ASSUMPTION OF SCHMIDT THEORY

The performance of the engine can be calculated a P-V diagram. The volume in
the engine is easily calculated by using the internal geometry. When the volume,
mass of the working gas and the temperature is decided, the pressure is calculated
using an ideal gas method as shown in equation (1).
PV = mRT (1)
The engine pressure can be calculated under following assumptions:
(a) There is no pressure loss in the heat exchangers and there are no internal
pressure differences.
(b) The expansion process and the compression process changes isothermal.
(c) Conditions of the working gas are changed as an ideal gas.
(d) There is a perfect regeneration.
(e) The expansion dead space maintains the expansion gas temperature - TE, the
compression dead space maintains the compression gas temperature - TC
during the cycle.
(f) The regenerator gas temperature is an average of the expansion gas
temperature - TE and the compression gas temperature - TC.
(g) The expansion space - VE and the compression space - VC changes according
sine curves.
Table 1 shows symbols used the Schmidt Theory.

3. ALPHA-TYPE STIRLING ENGINE

Figure 1 shows the calculation model of Alpha-type Stirling engine.

The volumes of the expansion- and compression cylinder at a given crank angle

1
are determined at first. The momental
volumes is described with a crank angle -
x. This crank angle is defined as x=0
when the expansion piston is located the
most top position (top dead point).
The momental expansion volume - VE
is described in equation (2) with a swept
volume of the expansion piston - VSE, an
expansion dead volume - VDE under the
condition of assumption (g).
Fig. 1 Alpha-type Stirling Engine
VSE
VE = (1 cos x ) + VDE (2) Table 1 Symbols
2
Name Symbol Unit
The momental compression volume - VC Engine pressure P Pa
is found in equation (3) with a swept Swept volume of expansion piston
V SE m3
or displacer piston
volume of the compression piston - VSC, a Swept volume of compression piston
compression dead volume - VDC and a or powe r piston
V SC m3

phase angle - dx. Dead volume of expansion space V DE m3

Regenerator volume VR m3

VC = SC {1 cos( x dx )}+ VDC

V
(3) Dead volume of compression space V DC m3
2 Expansion space momental volume VE m3

The total momental volume is Compression space momental volume VC m3

Total momental volume V m3
calculated in equation (4). Total mass of working gas m kg
V = VE + VR + VC (4) Gas constant R J/kgK

By the assumptions (a), (b) and (c), the Expansion space gas temperature TH K
Compression space gas temprature TC K
total mass in the engine - m is calculated Regenerator space gas temperature TR K
using the engine pressure - P, each Phase angle dx deg

temperature - T, each volume - V and the Temperatuer ratio t

Swept volume ratio v
gas constant - R. Dead volume ratio X
PVE PVR PVC Engine speed n Hz
m= + + (5) Indicated expansion energy WE J
RT E RT R RTC
Indicated compression energy WC J
The temperature ratio - t, a swept Indicated energy Wi J

volume ratio - v and other dead volume Indicated expansion power LE W

Indicated compression power LC W
ratios are found using the following Indicated power Li W
equations. Indicated efficiency e
T
t= C (6)
TE
V
v = SC (7)
VSE
V
X DE = DE (8)
VSE
V
X DC = DC (9)
VSE

2
 VR
XR = (10)
VSE
The regenerator temperature - TR is calculated in equation (11), by using the
assumption (f).
T + TC
TR = E (11)
2
When equation (5) is changed using equation (6)-(10), the total gas mass - m is
described in the next equation.
P 2VR
m= (tVE + + VC ) (12)
RTC 1+ t
Equation (12) is changed in equation (13), using equation (2) and (3).
PVSE
m= {S B cos( x a )} (13)
2 RTC
Now;
v sin dx
a = tan 1 (14)
t + cos dx
4tX R
S = t + 2tX DE + + v + 2 X DC (15)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2tv cos dx + v 2 (16)
The engine pressure - P is defined as the next equation using equation (13).
2mRT C
P= (17)
VSE {S B cos( a )}
The mean pressure - Pmean can be calculated as follows:
1 2 mRTC
Pmean =
2 Pdx =
V SE S 2 B 2
(18)

c is defined in the next equation.

B
c= (19)
S
As a result, the engine pressure - P, based the mean engine pressure - Pmean is
calculated in equation (20).
Pmean S 2 B 2 Pmean 1 c 2
P= = (20)
S B cos( x a ) 1 c cos( x a)
On the other hand, in the case of equation (17), when cos(x-a)=-1, the engine
pressure - P becomes the minimum pressure - Pmin, the next equation is
introduced.
2mRT C
Pmin = (21)
VSE ( S + B)
Therefore, the engine pressure - P, based the minimum pressure - Pmin is
described in equation (22).
Pmin ( S + B) Pmin (1 + c)
P= = (22)
S B cos( x a ) 1 c cos( x a)

3
 Similarly, when cos(x-a)=1, the engine pressure - P becomes the maximum
pressure - Pmax. The following equation is introduced.
Pmax ( S B ) Pmax (1 c)
P= = (23)
S B cos( x a ) 1 c cos( x a)
The P-V diagram of Alpha-type Stirling engine can be made with above
equations.

4. BETA-TYPE STIRLING ENGINE

Similarly, the equations for Beta-type Stirling engine are declared. Figure 2
shows a calculation model of a Beta-type Stirling engine. The expansion momental
volume - VE and the compression momental volume - VC are described in the
following equations, with a swept volume of a displacer piston - VSE, a swept volume
of a power piston - VSC and a phase angle -dx between the displacer piston and
power piston.
V
VE = SE (1 cos x ) + VDE (24)
2
V V
VC = SE (1 + cos x) + SC {1 cos( x dx )} + VDC VB
2 2
(25)
In the case of the Beta-type Stirling
engine, the displacer piston and the power
piston are located in the same cylinder.
When both pistons overlap their stroke, an
effective working space is created. The
overlap volume - VB in equation (25) can be Fig. 2 Beta-type Stirling Engine
calculated in the next equation.
V + VSC V + VSC VSEVSC
2 2

VB = SE SE cos dx
2 4 2
(26)
Then the total momental volume - V is found in equation (27).
V = VE + VR + VC (27)
The engine pressure - P based the mean pressure - Pmean, the minimum pressure
- Pmin and the maximum pressure - Pmax are described in the following equations
like the Alpha-type Stirling engine.
Pmean 1 c 2 Pmin (1 + c) Pmax (1 c )
P= = = (28)
1 c cos( x a) 1 c cos( x a ) 1 c cos( x a )
Several ratios and coefficients are defined as follows.
T
t= C (29)
TE
V
v = SC (30)
VSE

4
 VB
XB = (31)
VSE
V
X DE = DE (32)
VSE
V
X DC = DC (33)
VSE
V
XR = R (34)
VSE
v sin dx
a = tan 1 (35)
t + cos dx + 1
4tX R
S = t + 2tX DE + + v + 2 X DC + 1 2 X B (36)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2( t 1)v cos dx + v 2 2t + 1 (37)
B
c= (38)
S
The P-V diagram of Beta-type Stirling engine can be made with above
equations.

5. GAMMA-TYPE STIRLING ENGINE

Figure 3 shows a calculation model of a Gamma-type Stirling engine.

Similar calculation equations are made as the Alpha- and Beta-type engine.
The expansion momental volume - VE and the compression momental volume - VC
are described in the following equations with a swept volume of a displacer piston -
VSE, a swept volume of a power piston - VSC and a phase angle - dx between the
displacer piston and the power piston..
V
VE = SE (1 cos x ) + VDE (39)
2
V V
VC = SE (1 + cos x) + SC {1 cos( x dx )} + VDC
2 2
(40)
The total momental volume - V is
described the next equation.
V = VE + VR + VC (41)
The engine pressure - P based the mean
pressure - Pmean, the minimum pressure -
Pmin and the maximum pressure - Pmax are
Fig. 3 Gamma-type Stirling Engine
found in the following equations.
Pmean 1 c 2 Pmin (1 + c) Pmax (1 c )
P= = =
1 c cos( x a) 1 c cos( x a ) 1 c cos( x a )
(42)

5
 Now,
T
t= C (43)
TE
V
v = SC (44)
VSE
V DE
X DE = (45)
VSE
V
X DC = DC (46)
VSE
V
XR = R (47)
VSE
v sin dx
a = tan 1 (48)
t + cos dx 1
4tVR
S = t + 2tX DE + + v + 2 X DC + 1 (49)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2( t 1)v cos dx + v 2 2t + 1 (50)
B
c= (51)
S
The P-V diagram of Gamma-type Stirling engine can be made with above
equations.

6. INDICATED ENERGY, POWER AND EFFICIENCY

The indicated energy (area of the P-V diagram) in the expansion and
compression space can be calculated as an analytical solution with use of the above
coefficients. The indicated energy in the expansion space (indicated expansion
energy) - WE(J), based on the mean pressure - Pmean, the minimum pressure - Pmin
and the maximum pressure - Pmax are described in the following equations.
P V c sin a PminVSEc sin a 1 + c Pmax VSEc sin a 1 c
W E = PdVE = mean SE = =
1 + 1 c 2 1 + 1 c2 1 c 1+ 1c2 1+ c
(52)
The indicated energy in the compression space (indicated compression energy) -
WC(J) are described in the next equations.
P V ct sin a P V ct sin a 1 + c P V ct sin a 1 c
WC = PdVC = mean SE = min SE = max SE
1 + 1 c2 1 + 1 c2 1 c 1 + 1 c2 1+ c
(53)
The indicated energy per one cycle of this engine - Wi(J) is demanded in the
next equations.
Wi = We + Wc
PmeanVSEc(1 t ) sin a Pmin VSEc (1 t ) sin a 1+c Pmax VSEc(1 t ) sin a 1 c
= = = (54)
1+ 1 c2 1 + 1 c2 1c 1+ 1 c2 1+ c
6
 Relations between Pmean, Pmin and Pmax are determined in the following
equations.
Pmin 1c
= (55)
Pmean 1+ c
Pmax 1+ c
= (56)
Pmean 1c
The indicated expansion power - LE(W), the indicated compression power - LC(W)
and the indicated power of this engine - Li(W) are defined in the following
equations, using the engine speed per one second , n(rps, Hz).
LE = WE n (57)
LC = WC n (58)
Li = Wi n (59)
The indicated expansion energy - WE found equation (52) means an input heat
from a heat source to the engine. The indicated compression energy - Wc calculated
by equation (53) means a reject heat from the engine to cooling water or air. Then
the thermal efficiency of the engine - e is calculated in the next equation.
W
e = i = 1 t (60)
WE
This efficiency equals that of a Cornot cycle that is the most highest efficiency
in every thermal engine.

7. EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION

EXERCISE:
Make a P-V diagram and calculate the indicated power of an Alpha-type Stirling
engine under following conditions.
Swept volume of an expansion piston: 0.628 cm3, swept volume of a compression
piston: 0.628 cm3, dead volume of the expansion space: 0.2cm3, dead volume of the
compression space: 0.2cm3, regenerator volume: 0.2cm3, phase angle: 90deg, mean
pressure: 101.3 kPa, expansion gas temperature: 400degC, compression gas
temperature: 30degC, engine speed: 2000 rpm.

A temperature ratio - t, a swept volume ratio - v and other dead volume ratio are
calculated with the equation (6) - (10).
30 + 273
t= = 0.450
400 + 273
0.628 10 6
v= = 1.000
0.628 10 6
0.2 10 6
X DE = = 0.318
0.628 10 6

7
 0.2 10 6
X DC = = 0.318
0.628 10 6
0.2 10 6
XR = = 0.318
0.628 10 6
Each coefficient is calculated with equation (14) - (16) and (19).
1 sin 90 o
a = tan 1 = 65.772 o
0.45 + cos 90 o

4 0.45 0.318
S = 0.45 + 2 0.45 0.318 + + 1 + 2 0.318 = 2.767
1 + 0.450

B = 0.45 2 + 2 0.45 cos + 1 = 1.097
2
1.097
c= = 0.396
2.767
Engine pressure is calculated with equation (20).
When crank angle - x=0 deg:
101.3 103 1 0.396 2
P= = 101.988 10 3 ( Pa) = 101.988(kPa)
1 0.396 cos( 0 65.772)
Similarly, when x=10 deg:
P = 109.893( kPa)
When x=20deg:
P = 118.011( kPa)

Next each momental volume is calculated with equation (2) ~ (4).

When crank angle, x=0 deg:
0.628 10 6
VE = (1 cos 0 o ) + 0.2 = 0.200 10 6 ( m3 ) = 0.200( cm 3 )
2
0.628 10 6
VC = { }
1 cos( 0 o 90 o ) + 0.2 = 0514 10 6 ( m3 ) = 0.514(cm 3 )
2 160
Pressure P kPa

140
V = 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.514 = 0.914(cm 3 ) 120
When x=10 deg: 100
V = 0.864(cm 3 ) 80
When x=20 deg: 60
V = 0.826(cm )3
40
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Repeat above calculation to one complete Volume V cm3
cycle and plot the volumes - V and pressures -
P on a graph paper. Fig. 4 P-V Diagram
An example of the P-V diagram is shown in
Fig. 4.
The indicated energy is calculated with equation (52), (53) and (54).

8
 101 .3 10 3 0. 628 10 6 3. 14 0. 396 sin 65 . 772 o
WE = = 3 .760 10 2 ( J )
1 + 1 0. 396 2

6
101.3 10 0.628 10 3.14 0.396 0. 45 sin 65.772
3 o
WC = = 1.692 10 2 ( J )
1 + 1 0. 396 2

Wi = 3.760 10 2
1.692 10 2 = 2.068 10 2 ( J )
The indicated power of the engines is calculated with equation (59).
5.452 10 2 2000
Li = = 0.689 (W )
60
The indicated power of this engine is 0.689 W.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to thank J. H. de Baat for many helpful suggestions during the

translation of this script.

REFFERENCES

1) G. Walker., Stirling Engines, (1980),17, Oxford Univ. Press.