A STUDY ON THE STIRLING GENERATOR: PRODUCING BIOELECTRICITY

Abstract

The technology for harnessing power and heat from biomass fuels is already available. Electricity generation from biomass fuels currently uses the same basic technology used in power plants that burn solid fossil fuels. However, new technologies are being developed to improve power production efficiency from biomass. The potential also exists for local sources of electricity production from biomass by using small-scale gasification plants or systems involving fermentation of biomass. By factoring in the pollution-related environmental and social costs generated by fossil and nuclear fuels, bioelectricity becomes a competitive energy source. Here a Stirling generator was used to produce electricity of small scale using biogas as a fuel. The study was done in such a manner that one can get an idea of the internal incidents of the generator such as: different temperatures, engine speed, blower speed, engine power, oxygen sensor data etc. Also a PCA (Portable Combustion Analyzer) of BACHARACH brand was used to investigate the amount of CO, CF (Carbon Monoxide content referenced to 0% O2), O2, and CO2 in the exhaust gas and also the temperatures (ambient and stack), and percentage of combustion efficiency and excess air.