A non-ideal second order thermal model with effects of losses for simulating Beta-type Stirling refrigerating machine
Abstract A key issue in the optimal designing of a Stirling machine is to develop a precise thermodynamic numerical model that could predict the performances and provide means for further optimization. In this paper, a non-ideal second-order numerical model called modified simple analysis model has been presented for the Stirling cycle refrigerating machine. The model incorporates effects of shuttle heat loss to the expansion space and mass leakage to the crankcase in the differential equations of pressure change, rate of change of mass of gas in compression and expansion spaces, and mass flow rates across these working spaces. The model was simulated using MATLAB code for Beta configuration FEMTO 60 Stirling engine operating as a refrigerator and validated with an experiment. The validation of the numerical model with experimental work showed that the results of the simulation are consistent with the results of the experiment. Hence, the numerical model could be used to design a Stirling cycle refrigerating machine for moderate temperature applications with reasonable accuracy especially if optimization is performed further. The effects of incorporating shuttle heat loss in the differential equations on the temperature of working gas and the overall performance of the Stirling refrigerator have been analyzed. Lastly, parametric investigations have also been performed to evaluate the effect of operating parameters (temperature, pressure, and frequency) on the performances of the refrigerating machine. Better performance could be achieved at relatively lower frequency or higher pressure.