SCHMIDT THEORY FOR STIRLING ENGINES

KOICHI HIRATA

Musashino-jjutaku 6-103, Gakuen 2-36-1, Musashimurayama, Tokyo 208, Japan

Phone & Fax: +81-425-67-0086
e-mail: khirata@gem.bekkoame.ne.jp
url: http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~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 is changed as an ideal gas.
(d) There is a perfect regeneration.
(e) The expansion dead space maintains the
expansion gas temperature - TE, the Table 1 Symbols
compression dead space maintains the
Name Symbol Unit
compression gas temperature - TC during the Engine pressure P Pa
cycle. Swept volume of expansion piston or
VSE m3
(f) The regenerator gas temperature is an displacer piston
average of the expansion gas temperature - TE Swept volume of compression piston or VSC m3
power piston
and the compression gas temperature - TC. Dead volume of expansion space VDE m3
(g) The expansion space - VE and the compression Regenerator volume VR m3
space - VC changes according a sine curves. Dead volume of compression space VDC m3
m3
Table 1 shows symbols used the Schmidt Expansion space momental volume VE
Compression space momental volume VC m3
Theory. Total momental volume V m3
Total mass of working gas m kg
3. ALPHA-TYPE STIRLING ENGINE Gas constant R J/kgK
Expansion space gas temperature TH K
Compression space gas temprature TC K
Figure 1 shows the calculation model of Alpha- Regenerator space gas temperature TR K
type Stirling engine. Phase angle dx deg
t
The volumes of the expansion- and compression Temperatuer ratio
Swept volume ratio v
cylinder at a given crank angle are determined at Dead volume ratio X
first. The momental volumes is described with a Engine speed n Hz
crank angle - x. This crank angle is defined as x=0 Indicated expansion energy WE J
Indicated compression energy WC J
when the expansion piston is located the most top Indicated energy Wi J
position (top dead point). Indicated expansion power LE W
The momental expansion volume - VE is Indicated compression power LC W
described in equation (2) with a swept volume of Indicated power Li W
Indicated efficiency e

1
 Regenerator
space
Expansion space
(VR, TR, P)
(VE, TE, P) Compression
space
Expansion (VC, TC, P)
piston H R C Compression
piston

H: Heater
R: Regenerator
C: Cooler

Fig. 1 Alpha-type Stirling Engine

the expansion piston - VSE, an expansion dead volume - VDE under the condition of assumption (g).
VSE
VE = (1 - cos x) + VDE (2)
2
The momental compression volume - VC is found in equation (3) with a swept volume of the
compression piston - VSC, a compression dead volume - VDC and a phase angle - dx.

{1 - cos( x - dx)} + VDC

VSC
VC = (3)
2
The total momental volume is calculated in equation (4).
V = VE + VR + VC (4)
By the assumptions (a), (b) and (c), the total mass in the engine - m is calculated using the
engine pressure - P, each temperature - T , each volume - V and the gas constant - R.
PVE PVR PVC
m= + + (5)
RTE RTR RTC
The temperature ratio - t, a swept volume ratio - v and other dead volume ratios are found
using the following equations.
TC
t= (6)
TE
VSC
v= (7)
VSE
VDE
X DE = (8)
VSE
VDC
X DC = (9)
VSE
VR
XR = (10)
VSE
The regenerator temperature - TR is calculated in equation (11), by using the assumption (f).
TE + TC
TR = (11)
2
When equation (5) is changed using equation (6)-(10), the total gas mass - m is described in
the next equation.
P 2 tVR
m= ( tVE + + VC ) (12)
RTC 1+ t
Equation (12) is changed in equation (13), using equation (2) and (3).

2
 {S − B cos( x − a)}
PVSE
m= (13)
2 RTC
Now;
v ⋅ sin dx
a = tan −1 (14)
t + cos dx
4 tX R
S = t + 2 tX DE + + v + 2 X DC (15)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2 tv cos dx + v 2 (16)
The engine pressure - P is defined as a next equation using equation (13).
2 mRTC
P= (17)
VSE {S − B cos(θ − a )}
The mean pressure - Pmean can be calculated as follows:
1 2 mRTC
Pmean =
2π ∫ Pdx =
VSE S 2 − B2
(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.
2 mRTC
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 )
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.
VSE
VE = (1 − cos x) + VDE (24)
2
V SE
VC = (1 − cos x ) + V SC {1 − cos (x − dx )} + V DC − V B (25)
2 2
In the case of the Beta-type Stirling engine, the displacer piston and the power piston are

3
located in the same cylinder. When both pistons overlaps there stroke, an effective working space
is created. The overlap volume - VB in equation (25) can be calculated in the next equation.
VSE + VSC VSE 2 + VSC 2 VSE VSC
VB = - - cos dx (26)
2 4 2
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.
TC
t= (29)
TE
VSC
v= (30)
VSE
VB
XB = (31)
VSE
VDE
X DE = (32)
VSE
VDC
X DC = (33)
VSE
VR
XR = (34)
VSE
-1 v sin dx
a = tan (35)
t + cosdx - 1
4 tX R
S = t + 2 tX DE + + v + 2 X DC + 1 - 2 X B (36)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2( t - 1) v cos dx + v 2 - 2 t + 1 (37)

Displacer piston Expansion space

(VE, TE, P)
Regenerator
space Compression
(VR, TR, P)
H space
(VC, TC, P)
R
C Power piston
H: Heater
R: Regenerator
C: Cooler

Fig. 2 Beta-type Stirling Engine

4
 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..
VSE
VE = (1 - cos x) + VDE (39)
2
V SE
VC = (1 - cos x ) + V SC {1 - cos(x - dx )} + V DC (40)
2 2
The total momental volume - V is described a 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 found in the following equations.
Pmean 1 - c 2 Pmin (1 + c) Pmax (1 - c)
P= = = (42a)
1 - c × cos( x - a ) 1 - c × cos( x - a ) 1 - c × cos( x - a )
Now,
TC
t= (43)
TE
VSC
v= (44)
VSE
VDE
X DE = (45)
VSE
VDC
X DC = (46)
VSE
VR
XR = (47)
VSE
-1 v sin dx
a = tan
t + cosdx - 1

Regenerator Expansion space

space (VE, TE, P)
(VR, TR, P) Displacer piston
Compression
space
H (VC, TC, P)
R Power piston
C

H: Heater
R: Regenerator
C: Cooler

Fig. 3 Gamma-type Stirling Engine

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 v sin dx
a = tan −1 (48)
t + cos dx + 1
4 tVR
S = t + 2 tX DE + + v + 2 X DC + 1 (49)
1+ t
B = t 2 + 2( t − 1) v cos dx + v 2 − 2 t + 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 solutions 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.
Pmean VSE πc ⋅ sin a Pmin VSE πc ⋅ sin a 1 + c Pmax VSE πc ⋅ sin a 1 − c
WE = ∫ PdVE = = ⋅ = ⋅
1 + 1 − c2 1 + 1 − c2 1− c 1 + 1 − c2 1+ c
(52)
 The indicated energy in the compression space (indicated compression energy) - WC(J) are
described in the next equations.
Pmean VSE πct ⋅ sin a Pmin VSE πct ⋅ sin a 1+ c P V πct ⋅ sin a 1 − c
WC = ∫ PdVC = − =− ⋅ = − 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
Pmean VSE πc(1 − t ) sin a Pmin VSE πc(1 − t ) sin a 1 + c Pmax VSE πc(1 − t ) sin a 1 − c
= = ⋅ = ⋅
1+ 1− c 2
1+ 1− c 2
1− c 1 + 1 − c2 1+ c
(54)
Relations between Pmean, Pmin and Pmax are determined in the following equations.
Pmin 1− c
= (55)
Pmean 1+ c
Pmax 1+ c
= (56)
Pmean 1− c
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).
L E = WE n (57)
L C = WC n (58)
L i = 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.
Wi
e= = 1− t (60)
WE

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 This efficiency equals that of a Cornot cycle which 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= = 1000
.
0.628 × 10 − 6
0.2 × 10 −6
X DE = = 0.318
0.628 × 10 − 6
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 1 × sin 90 o
a = tan = 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
π
B = 0.45 2 + 2 × 0.45 × cos + 1 = 1097.
2
1.097
c= = 0.396
2.767
Engine pressure is calculated with equation (20).
When crank angle - x=0deg:
1013. × 10 3 1 − 0.396 2
P= = 101988
. × 10 3 ( Pa ) = 101988
. ( kPa )
1 − 0.396 cos( 0 − 65.772)
Similarly, when x=10deg:
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=0deg:
0.628 × 10 −6
VE = (1 − cos 0 o ) + 0.2 = 0.200 × 10 − 6 ( m 3 ) = 0.200(cm 3 )
2

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 160

Pressure P kPa
140
120
100
80
60
40
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Volume V cm3
Fig. 4 P-V Diagram

0.628 × 10 −6
VC =
2
{1 − cos(0o − 90o )} + 0.2 = 0514 × 10 −6 ( m3 ) = 0.514(cm3 )
V = 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.514 = 0.914(cm 3 )
When x=10deg:
V = 0.864(cm 3 )
When x=20deg:
V = 0.826(cm 3 )
…
Repeat above calculation to one complete cycle and plot the volumes - V and pressures - P on a
graph paper.
An example of the P-V diagram is shown in Fig. 4.
The indicated energy is calculated with equation (52), (53) and (54).
101.3 × 103 × 0.628 × 10−6 × 314
. × 0.396 × sin 65.772o
WE = = 3.760 × 10− 2 ( J )
1 + 1 − 0.3962
. × 103 × 0.628 × 10−6 × 314
1013 . × 0.396 × 0.45 × sin 65.772o
WC = − = −1692
. × 10− 2 ( J )
1 + 1 − 0.3962
Wi = 3.760 × 10−2 − 1.692 × 10−2 = 2.068 × 10−2 (J )
The indicated power of this 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.