Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Thermal Machines
Stirling and Ericsson cycles

1
Rui A. Rego, Leonardo Ribeiro

Licenciatura em Engenharia Mecânica do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto

2018/2019

1 These
notes are based on the book: Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach,
Y. A. Çengel and M. A. Boles, 5th ed, McGraw-Hill, 2006.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

1 Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction
Ciclo de Stirling
Descrição Ciclo
Thermodynamic analysis
Stirling Cycle Efficiency
Ericsson Cycle
Cycle Description
Termodynamics Analysis
Ericsson Cycle Efficiency
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction

Table of Contents

1 Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction
Ciclo de Stirling
Descrição Ciclo
Thermodynamic analysis
Stirling Cycle Efficiency
Ericsson Cycle
Cycle Description
Termodynamics Analysis
Ericsson Cycle Efficiency
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction

Overview

The ideal Otto and Diesel cycles discussed in the preceding sections
are composed entirely of internally reversible processes and thus are
internally reversible cycles.
These cycles are not totally reversible, however, since they involve
heat transfer through a finite temperature difference during the non-
isothermal heat-addition and heat-rejection processes, which are
irreversible.
Therefore, the thermal efficiency of an Otto or Diesel engine will be
less than that of a Carnot engine operating between the same
temperature limits.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction

Consider a heat engine operating

between a heat source at TH and a
heat sink at TL .
For the heat-engine cycle to be
totally reversible, the temperature
difference between the working fluid
and the heat source (or sink) should
never exceed a differential amount
dT during any heat-transfer process.
That is, both the heat-addition and
heat-rejection processes during the
cycle must take place isothermally,
one at a temperature of TH and the
other at a temperature of TL . This is
precisely what happens in a Carnot
cycle.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction

There are two other cycles that involve an isothermal heat-addition

process at TH and an isothermal heat-rejection process at TL : the
Stirling cycle and the Ericsson cycle.
They differ from the Carnot cycle in that the two isentropic
processes are replaced by two constant-volume regeneration
processes in the Stirling cycle and by two constant-pressure
regeneration processes in the Ericsson cycle.
Both cycles utilize regeneration, a process during which heat is
transferred to a thermal energy storage device (called a regenerator)
during one part of the cycle and is transferred back to the working
fluid during another part of the cycle.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Table of Contents

1 Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction
Ciclo de Stirling
Descrição Ciclo
Thermodynamic analysis
Stirling Cycle Efficiency
Ericsson Cycle
Cycle Description
Termodynamics Analysis
Ericsson Cycle Efficiency
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

The Stirling engine was patented in

1816 by Robert Stirling, a Scottish
cleric who invented a gas engine that
would work in a closed cycle.
At the time it was not widely
accepted, having been supplanted by
the steam engine and the internal
combustion engines.
However, nowadays, with the growing
concern with energy efficiency and
environmental pollution, it has
aroused a growing interest in the
Stirling engine due to the potential
for energy efficiency.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Figure shows the T-s and P-v diagrams of

the Stirling cycle, which is made up of four
totally reversible processes:
1-2 T = constant : expansion (heat
addition from the external source)
2-3 v = constant : regeneration (internal
heat transfer from the working fluid
to the regenerator)
3-4 T = constant : compression (heat
rejection to the external sink)
4-1 v = constant : regeneration (internal
heat transfer from the regenerator
back to the working fluid)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

The actual Stirling engines, including the

original one patented by Robert Stirling, are
heavy and complicated. The execution of
the Stirling cycle in a closed system is ex-
plained with the help of the hypothetical
engine shown in the Figure.
This system consists of a cylinder
with two pistons on each side and a
regenerator in the middle.
The left side space at TH is the
expansion chamber.
The right side space at TL is the
compression chamber.
The regenerator can be a mesh either
of wire mesh or ceramic or any kind
of porous material with a high
thermal mass (mass times specific
heat). It is used for the temporary
storage of thermal energy.
The mass of the working fluid contained within the regenerator at
any instant is considered negligible.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Initially, the left chamber houses the

entire working fluid (a gas), which is
at a high temperature and pressure.
During process 1-2:
Heat is transferred to the gas at
TH from a hot source at TH .
This constant temperature heat
addition will make an isothermal
expansion.
As the gas expands isothermally,
the expansion piston moves
outward (with the compression
piston staying near the
regenerator), doing work, and the
gas pressure drops until state 2.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

During process 2-3:

During process 2-3, both pistons
are moved to the right at the same
rate (to keep the volume constant)
until the entire gas is forced into
the right chamber.
As the gas passes through the
regenerator, heat is transferred to
the regenerator and the gas
temperature drops from TH to TL .
For this heat transfer process to be
reversible, the temperature
difference between the gas and the
regenerator should not exceed a
differential amount dT at any
point.
Thus, the temperature of the
regenerator will be TH at the left
end and TL at the right end of the
regenerator when state 3 is reached.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

During process 3-4:

The compression (right) piston is
moved inward, compressing the gas.
Heat is transferred from the gas to
a sink at temperature TL so that
the gas temperature remains
constant at TL while the pressure
rises.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Finally, during process 4-1:

Both pistons are moved to the left
at the same rate (to keep the
volume constant), forcing the entire
gas into the left chamber.
The gas temperature rises from TL
to TH as it passes through the
regenerator and picks up the
thermal energy stored there during
process 2-3.
This completes the cycle.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Notice that the second constant-volume

process takes place at a smaller volume
than the first one, and the net heat transfer
to the regenerator during a cycle is zero.

That is, the amount of energy stored in the

regenerator during process 2-3 is equal to
the amount picked up by the gas during
process 4-1.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Thermodynamic analysis of the Stirling cycle:

Process 1-2: Isothermal Expansion

T1 = T2 = TH (1)
P2 = P1 (V1 /V2 ) (2)

|Wexp | = |Qin | = |mTH (s2 − s1 )|

   
V2 V2
P1 V1 ln = mRT1 ln (3)
V1 V1

with a entropy change given by,

 
T 0

*  
V2
2
s2 − s1 = cv ln   + R ln
  T1 V1
 
V2
= R ln (4)
V1
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Process 2-3: Isochoric regeneration

V2 = V3 (5)
P3 = P2 (T3 /T2 ) (6)

|W2−3 | = 0 (7)
|Qregen | = |mcv (T3 − T2 )| (8)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Process 3-4: Isothermal Compression

T3 = T4 = TL (9)
P4 = P3 (V3 /V4 ) (10)

|Wcomp. | = |Qout | = |mTL (s4 − s3 )|

     
P3 V3 ln V4  = mRT3 ln V4 
   
 V3   V3 
(11)

with a entropy change,

 
T 0

*  
V4
4
s4 − s3 = cv ln   + R ln
 T3 V3
  
V4
= R ln (12)
V3
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Process 4-1: Isochoric Regeneration

V4 = V1 (13)
P1 = P4 (T1 /T4 ) (14)

|W4−1 | = 0 (15)
|Qregen | = mcv (T1 − T4 ) (16)
(17)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

The Stirling cycle efficiency is given by

 
Q̇in − Q̇out 
 
Ẇtu
(ηT )Stirling = = =
Q̇in Q̇in
 
Q̇out 
 
1− (18)
Q̇in
For a reversible thermal machine one can
write:
Q̇in = ṁTH (s2 − s1 ) (19)
 
Q̇out  = ṁTL (s3 − s4 ) (20)
 
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

The entropy changes for a constant tempe-

rature process are given by:

 
T 0

*  
V2
2
s2 − s1 = cv ln   + R ln
 T1 V1
  
V2
= R ln (21)
V1

and

 
T 0

*  
V3
3
s3 − s4 = cv ln   + R ln
  T4 V4
 
V3
= R ln (22)
V4
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

Because T1 = T2 = TH and T3 = T4 = TL
(note that ln(1) = 0). Also, we have that
V2 /V1 = V3 /V4 . Thus, s2 − s1 = s3 − s4 ,
and the thermal efficiency results in:

TL T3 T4
(ηT )Stirling = 1− = 1− = 1−
TH T2 T1
(23)

This efficiency is equal to the Carnot cycle

efficiency! The bigger possible!
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ciclo de Stirling

One example ...

An engine operating in an ideal Stirling cycle uses helium as a working

fluid. It works between temperature limits of 300 K to 2000 K and
pressure limits of 150 kPa to 3 MPa. Assume that the helium mass used
in the cycle is 0.12 kg. Consider for helium, cv = 3.1156 kJ/kgK and
cp = 5.1926 kJ/kgK. Determine:
The cycle thermal efficiency [%].
The amount of heat transfer in the regenerator [J/ciclo].
The net work output per cycle [J/ciclo].
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Table of Contents

1 Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Introduction
Ciclo de Stirling
Descrição Ciclo
Thermodynamic analysis
Stirling Cycle Efficiency
Ericsson Cycle
Cycle Description
Termodynamics Analysis
Ericsson Cycle Efficiency
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

In 1833, the Swedish-born engineer

John Ericsson (1803–1889) developed
a different type of hot air,
reciprocating, external combustion
engine, which could operate on either
an open or closed loop cycle.
Ericsson’s engine also used a thermal
regenerator
The main difference for the Stirling
cycle is that the constant volume
regeneration process has been
replaced by a constant pressure
regeneration process.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

The T-s and P-v diagrams of the

Ericsson cycle are shown in the figure.
A steady-flow system operating on an
Ericsson cycle is shown in bellow
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Figure shows the T-s and P-v diagrams of

the Stirling cycle, which is made up of four
totally reversible processes:
1-2 T = constant : Isothermal Expansion
(heat addition from the external
source)
2-3 p = constant : Isobaric Regeneration
(internal heat transfer from the
working fluid to the regenerator)
3-4 T = constant : Isothermal
compression (heat rejection to the
external sink)
4-1 p = constant : Isobaric Regeneration
(internal heat transfer from the
regenerator back to the working fluid)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Here the isothermal expansion and

compression processes are executed in
a compressor and a turbine,
respectively, and
A counter-flow heat exchanger serves
as a regenerator.
Hot and cold fluid streams enter the
heat exchanger from opposite ends,
and heat transfer takes place between
the two streams.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

In the ideal case, the temperature

difference between the two fluid
streams does not exceed a differential
amount at any point, and the cold
fluid stream leaves the heat
exchanger at the inlet temperature of
the hot stream.
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Thermodinamic analysis of the Ericsson cy-

cle: Process 1-2: Isothermal Expansion

T1 = T2 = TH (24)
V2 = V1 (P1 /P2 ) (25)

|Wexpan. | = |Qin | = |mTH (s2 − s1 )|

   
P2 P2
− P1 V1 ln = −mRT1 ln
P1 P1
(26)

with an entropy change

 
T *0

  
P2
2
s2 − s1 = cp ln   − R ln
  T1 P1
 
P2
= −R ln (27)
P1
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Process 2-3 : Isobaric Regeneration

P2 = P3 (28)
V3 = V2 (T3 /T2 ) (29)

|W2−3 | = 0 (30)
|Qregen | = |mcp (T3 − T2 )| (31)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Process 3-4 : Isothermal Compression

T3 = T4 = TL (32)
P4 = P3 (V3 /V4 ) (33)

|Wcomp. | = |Qout | = |mTL (s4 − s3 )|

     
−P3 V3 ln P4  = −mRT3 ln P4 
   
 P3   P3 
(34)

with an entropy change

 
T *0

  
P4
4
s4 − s3 = cp ln   − R ln
  T 3 P3
 
P4
= −R ln (35)
P3
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Process 4-1: Isobaric Regeneration

P4 = P1 (36)
V1 = V4 (T1 /T4 ) (37)

|W4−1 | = 0 (38)
|Qregen | = mcp (T1 − T4 ) (39)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

The Ericsson cycle efficiency is given by

 
Q̇in − Q̇out 
 
Ẇtu
(ηT )Ericson = = =
Q̇in Q̇in
 
Q̇out 
 
=1− (40)
Q̇in
For a reversible thermal machine one can
write:
Q̇in = ṁTH (s2 − s1 ) (41)
 
Q̇out  = ṁTL (s3 − s4 ) (42)
 
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

The entropy changes for a constant tempe-

rature process are given by:

 
T *0

  
p2
2
s2 − s1 = cp ln   − R ln
  T1 p1
 
p2
= −R ln (43)
p1

and

 
T *0

  
p3
3
s3 − s4 = cp ln   − R ln
 T4 p4
  
p4
= −R ln (44)
p3
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Because T1 = T2 = TH and T3 = T4 = TL
(note that ln(1) = 0). Also, one has that
p2 /p1 = p3 /p4 . So s2 − s1 = s3 − s4 ,
therefore the thermal efficiency results in:

TL T3 T4
(ηT )Ericsson = 1− = 1− = 1−
TH T2 T1
(45)

Once more, the thermal efficiency is equal

to the efficiency of the Carnot cycle!

(ηT )Carnot = (ηT )Stirling = (ηT )Ericsson

(46)
Stirling and Ericsson Cycles

Ericsson Cycle

Example ...

Consider an ideal Ericsson cycle working in steady state that uses air
(R = 287J/kgK, k = 1.4) as working fluid. The air is at 27o C and 120
kPa at the beginning of the isothermal compression process during which
150 kJ/kg of heat are rejected. Heat transfer to air occurs to 1200 K.
Determine:
The maximum pressure of the cycle.
The net work per unit of mass.
The thermal efficiency of the cycle.