[Gasification] Low Calorific Gas for Stirling Engines

[Tom Reed]

Dear Tom Miles and all:

In 1998 Robb Walt (of CPC) and I built a 1 kW(th) gasifier for Stirling 
Technology Corporatin (Washington) to run their 300 Watt Stirling engine 
(subcontract on a phase I SBIR).  On the basis of this they then 
obtained a Phase II SBIR and CPC built a gasifier to run a 1 kW Stirling 
engine. 

Stirling engines have always occupied the position of "always a 
bridesmaid; never a bride".  In principle they can use much lower grade 
fuel for external combustion than required for internal combustion.  
However, since the flame needs to be very uniform around the heater, 
they work best with propane, natural gas or producer gas.   These are 
all great fuels for internal combustion as well, and IC engines are 
ubiquitous and cheap. 

Can anyone tell me why we need to develop the Stirling Engine if it 
requires IC fuel?

Thanks,

TOM REED             BEF

Tom Miles wrote:

>A Baumuller, Solo Stirling GmbH, will discuss "Low Calorific Value Gas
>Combustion Systems for Stirling Engines" September 27 at the International
>Stiriling Forum in Osnabruck, Germany, 
> 
>See:
>http://www.ecos-consult.com/energie/downloads/veranstalltungen/Draft-Program
>me-ISF2006-JUNE-26-2006-english.pdf
> 
>Whispergen Tech, Microgen Energy Limited, Solo Stirling GmbH, Sunmachine and
>Stirling Systems, AG will be exhibiting.
> 
>As far as I know the only other application of a gasifier to a stirling
>engine has been by Stirling Danmark 
>See: http://www.stirling.dk/index.asp 
> 
>Tom Miles  
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