JP2013170454A - Device and method for heating of stirling engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method for efficiently heating a stirling engine.SOLUTION: A heating device (1) installed on the outside of a heat receiving surface (4A21) of a heating part (4A2) in order to heat the heating part (4A2) of a stirling engine (4A) includes: a combustion furnace (1A) provided with a combustion space (1A2), in which the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating part is exposed, and a furnace wall (1A1) surrounding the combustion space (1A2); a ceramic catalyst (1B) installed in the combustion space (1A2); and an oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism in which an oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) made by mixing oxygen and hydrogen is combusted by using the ceramic catalyst (1B) in the combustion space (1A2). The oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism includes an injection nozzle (1D) for combusting the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) while injecting the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) toward the ceramic catalyst (1B), wherein the ceramic catalyst is arranged adjacently to the heat receiving surface on a center part of the combustion space.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for heating a heating section of a Stirling engine.

  The Stirling engine is considered to be an engine that realizes a Carnot cycle having the highest thermal efficiency in theory, and is said to be the external combustion engine having the highest efficiency in converting thermal energy into kinetic energy. A general Stirling engine generates a pressure change by reciprocating a working fluid between a heating part and a cooling part having a temperature difference provided therein, and thereby drives a mechanical element (such as a piston). The movement of the mechanical element is output to the outside as power. Patent Document 1 discloses a Stirling engine that drives two cylinders.

  Furthermore, the turbine is driven by the power output from the Stirling engine to generate electric power and obtain electric power (Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4). An output of about 500 to 1 kW is generally used, but a Stirling engine having an output of about 10 kW larger than that is being put into practical use.

  The heating unit of the Stirling engine is heated by supplying heat from an external heat source. Various heat sources can be used as external heat sources, and some use fossil fuels, but many use industrial waste heat or natural energy to reduce environmental impact. In Patent Documents 2 and 3, exhaust heat from the steel manufacturing process is used. In patent document 4, the gas after combustion of a waste material or biomass fuel is utilized. In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 5, there is one that uses solar heat.

  Here, in a completely different technical field, a gas in which oxygen and hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water are mixed (referred to herein as an “oxyhydrogen mixed gas”) is known as a combustion gas. ing. The oxyhydrogen mixed gas is used by appropriately setting the ratio of oxygen and hydrogen as necessary. For example, as described in Patent Document 6, when oxygen and hydrogen are 1: 2, they have an ignition point of about 550 ° C. at normal pressure. At room temperature and normal pressure, such an oxyhydrogen mixed gas can be ignited by a spark and burned. Further, by bringing the oxyhydrogen mixed gas into contact with the ceramic catalyst, the ignition point temperature can be lowered and combustion can be promoted. In Patent Document 6, an oxyhydrogen mixed gas is burned as a combustion gas as a heating means in a forging device for a rod-shaped steel material. Further, the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is used for gas pressure welding of a metal member in Patent Document 8, and is used for gas cutting of a rolled steel material in Patent Document 9.

JP 2011-202640 A JP 2011-208507 A JP 2010-151071 A JP 2009-174392 A JP 2004-332672 A Japanese Patent No. 3031899 Japanese Patent No. 3959067 Japanese Patent No. 4015380 Japanese Patent No. 4754279

  If the device has the same structure and size, the output of the Stirling engine increases as the temperature difference between the heating unit and the cooling unit increases. The temperature of the heat source is about 200 to 300 ° C. in the exhaust heat utilization of the steel manufacturing process of Patent Document 2, the gas combusting biomass of Patent Document 4 is about 900 to 1000 ° C., and the solar heat (Fresnel lens of Patent Document 5). It is said that approximately 600 to 2000 ° C. can be obtained in the case of condensing light. Since the cooling unit is normally maintained at about room temperature, if the temperature of these heat sources can be used as it is as the temperature of the heating unit, an effective temperature difference can be obtained.

  However, in reality, the heat loss when converting the heat from the heat source as the temperature of the heating unit is large. Therefore, there is a demand for a structure of a heating part with good thermal efficiency. Furthermore, in order to improve thermal efficiency, what kind of heat source is used in addition to the structure of the heating unit is also important. The supply of renewable energy is unstable. Further, fossil fuel is not preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving.

  On the other hand, there is little demand for oxyhydrogen mixed gas due to the high cost of gas production by electrolysis, and its use is limited at present.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a heating apparatus and a heating method that employ an oxyhydrogen mixed gas as a heat source for efficiently and stably heating a heating unit of a Stirling engine. Moreover, it aims at providing the Stirling engine starting system which combined such a heating device and a Stirling engine, and also the Stirling engine generating system which combined such a Stirling engine starting system and a generator.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configurations. The numbers in parentheses are reference numerals in the drawings described later, and are attached for reference.

The heating device for Stirling engine (1) according to the first aspect of the present invention is disposed outside the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating unit (4A2) in order to heat the heating unit (4A2) of the Stirling engine (4A). A combustion furnace (1A) comprising a combustion space (1A2) that is installed and exposes the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating unit, and a furnace wall (1A1) surrounding the combustion space (1A2); (1A2) Ceramic catalyst (1B) installed in (1A2) and an oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) mixed with oxygen and hydrogen in the combustion space (1A2) using the ceramic catalyst (1B) A hydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism.
In the above Stirling engine heating device (1), the oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism injects the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) while injecting it toward the ceramic catalyst (1B) ( It is preferred to have 1D).
In the heating device for Stirling engine (1), it is preferable that the ceramic catalyst (1B) is installed at a position adjacent to the heat receiving surface (4A21) at the center of the combustion space (1A2). It is.
In the Stirling engine heating device (1), it is preferable that the combustion furnace (1A) includes an exhaust port (1P1).
In the above Stirling engine heating device (1), it is preferable that the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is supplied from an oxyhydrogen gas generator (2A) for electrolyzing water.

  A Stirling engine starting system (10) according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises at least the Stirling engine heating device (1) and the Stirling engine (4A), and the Stirling engine (4A) Mechanical elements are driven by the temperature difference between the heating unit (4A2), the cooling unit (4A1), the heating unit (4A2) and the cooling unit (4A1) heated by the Stirling engine heating device (1). And a drive unit (4A3) that outputs power.

  A Stirling engine power generation system (20) according to a third aspect of the present invention generates power using the power output from the Stirling engine. The Stirling engine power generation system (10) and the drive unit ( A power generation unit (4B) that generates electric power using the power output by 4A3) and outputs electric power.

The heating method for the Stirling engine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a heating method for heating the heating section (4A2) of the Stirling engine (4A), and the heating surface (4A21) of the heating section (4A) The heating part of the Stirling engine (4A) by burning the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) mixed with oxygen and hydrogen using the ceramic catalyst (1B) in the almost enclosed combustion space (1A2) where the gas is exposed This is a method of heating (4A2).
In the above heating method, it is preferable that the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is burned while being injected toward the ceramic catalyst (1B).
In the above heating method, it is preferable that the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is simultaneously supplied while being generated by electrolysis of water.

  A heating device for a Stirling engine according to the present invention includes a combustion furnace installed outside a heat receiving surface of a heating unit of a Stirling engine, and burns an oxyhydrogen mixed gas in a combustion space in which a ceramic catalyst is installed. The heat receiving surface of the heating unit is heated. Since the oxyhydrogen mixed gas burns by itself, it is not necessary to separately supply oxygen for combustion (or air containing oxygen). Therefore, since only the oxyhydrogen mixed gas needs to be supplied into the combustion furnace, the combustion furnace can be almost sealed. As a result, heat radiation from the combustion furnace to the outside is greatly reduced. And the heat receiving surface of the heating part of a Stirling engine is arrange | positioned so that it may be exposed in such a substantially sealed combustion space. Therefore, most of the input heat and heat generated in the combustion furnace are supplied to the heating unit of the Stirling engine. As a result, the heating unit is efficiently heated.

The oxyhydrogen gas can be easily ignited at room temperature by a spark. After ignition, the combustion reaction that is an exothermic reaction continues. The calorific value at the time of combustion of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is 10.69 MJ / m ³ . The calorific value of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is about 1/10 compared with 100.4 MJ / m ^{3 of} LPG, but the temperature of the flame is much higher in the oxyhydrogen mixed gas. The flame temperature of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas can be 2700 ° C. to 2800 ° C. at maximum when the ratio of oxygen to hydrogen is 1: 2. Since such a high temperature can be realized very close to the heat receiving surface of the heating unit, the heat receiving surface of the heating unit can be effectively heated.

  Further, the surface temperature of the flame irradiation object during combustion of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas has different temperature characteristics depending on the irradiation object. In particular, when a ceramic catalyst is used as an object to be irradiated with flame, the combustion reaction is promoted and an extremely high temperature is obtained. In the test, it was confirmed that the temperature of the ceramic catalyst was raised to 2000 ° C. or more within 3 seconds by the flame of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas. The heat receiving surface of the heating part of the Stirling engine is efficiently heated by heat conduction, heat convection and heat radiation from the ceramic catalyst which has reached an extremely high temperature. By installing the ceramic catalyst at a position adjacent to the heat receiving surface at the center of the combustion space, the heat receiving surface is heated more efficiently.

  The fact that the high temperature is instantaneously realized by the combustion reaction of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is that the burning speed of fossil fuel is about several tens m / s on the average, whereas the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (oxygen: hydrogen = 1: 2) It also depends on the burning rate of about 250 m / s. In addition, when the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is completely burned, only water (instantaneously becomes water vapor) is generated, which is because the volume of heat diffusion is small. Incidentally, in LPG, there is also nitrogen that does not contribute to the reaction by producing water and carbon dioxide gas through a combustion reaction with oxygen in the air, so that heat diffuses and the flame temperature decreases.

  Furthermore, water (steam) generated by the combustion of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by heat in a region where the temperature is higher than 2000 ° C. Some of the decomposed water and oxygen again contribute to the combustion reaction and generate heat. This makes the combustion reaction of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas more efficient.

  Furthermore, the oxyhydrogen gas is safe without the risk of fire. Since it is lighter than air, it has the advantage of easily diffusing into the air even if it leaks. It can also be said to be a clean gas composed of hydrogen and oxygen and free from pollutants. Since it can be obtained while electrolyzing water, a storage facility is unnecessary. It is also possible to operate continuously throughout the year.

  The actual temperature reached by the heating unit depends on the structure and size of the heating unit. However, if the heating unit has the same structure and size, the temperature is higher than when heated by a conventional heat source. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the output of the Stirling engine is improved. Further, as long as the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is stably supplied, the temperature of the heating portion of the Stirling engine can be stably maintained. As a result, the output of the Stirling engine can be stably maintained.

  Thereby, in the Stirling engine starting system combining the Stirling engine heating device of the present invention and the Stirling engine, stable power can be output.

  Moreover, in the Stirling engine power generation system combined with such a Stirling engine starting system and a generator, stable electric power and hot water can be output.

  Conventionally, since a Stirling engine is operated due to a temperature difference, the energy obtained is limited to either power generation or hot water (due to exhaust heat from the cooling unit). In particular, this means that hot water production efficiency is high. Hot water has great utility value for both business and home use, as is known in cogeneration systems. This is also the value of an efficient Stirling engine.

  By storing the electric power obtained by the Stirling engine power generation system in the battery, the electric power can be effectively used. By using the battery, in the case of power shortage, supplementary charging from an external power source (another natural energy power generation device such as a solar cell panel) can be performed.

  Conventionally, as a method that requires electric power to heat the heating unit of the Stirling engine, for example, there is an electric heater method. However, resistance heating using various heating elements cannot cope with rapid temperature rise. In addition, in the induction heating method in which the magnetic field lines are generated from the coil and the object is rapidly heated, the running cost is extremely expensive. Alternatively, the direct current heating method in which electricity is directly supplied to the electrodes is not realistic because of mechanical loss in the transformer and structural problems of the Stirling engine. Both systems are heated by using a large-capacity battery (storage battery) as a power source, so that the power equipment becomes excessive and is not practical. In contrast to these prior arts, the present invention requires electric power for heating the Stirling engine. However, rapid heating can be achieved, and at the same time, a low-cost and compact structure can be achieved.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a Stirling engine power generation system to which a heating device and a heating method for a Stirling engine according to the present invention are applied. FIG. 2 is an elevation view schematically showing a main part of an embodiment of a Stirling engine power generation system in which the Stirling engine heating device 1 and the Stirling engine power generation device 4 according to the present invention are integrated into one device. It is. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a main part of the heating device for the Stirling engine shown in FIG. 2, in which FIG. 3A is a partially cutaway side view, and FIG. 3B is a view A of FIG. 4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c) are diagrams schematically showing embodiments of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the entire system including the main part of the Stirling engine power generation system of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing examples.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a Stirling engine power generation system to which a heating device and a heating method for a Stirling engine according to the present invention are applied.

  The Stirling engine 4A may be of any type according to a known technique, and a specific configuration is not shown here. The Stirling engine 4A includes a cooling unit 4A1, a heating unit 4A2, and a driving unit 4A3 as main components. The basic configuration of the Stirling engine 4A is as follows. The cooling unit 4A1 and the heating unit 4A2 are filled with a working fluid. The cooling unit 4A1 and the heating unit 4A2 communicate with each other, and the working fluid can reciprocate between them. A pressure difference is generated in the working fluid due to a temperature difference between the cooling unit 4A1 and the heating unit 4A2, and the working fluid moves. The mechanical element of the drive unit 4A3 is driven by the movement of the working fluid. These movements of the working fluid and driving of the mechanical elements are configured to repeat.

  The cooling unit 4A1 is maintained at a relatively low temperature (for example, 30 ° C. to 50 ° C.) by circulating, for example, water or an antifreeze liquid such as ethylene glycol as a cooling medium. In this embodiment, the cooling medium is supplied from the Stirling engine cooling device 3 which is a cooling source provided outside and circulates between the cooling unit 4A1. The cooling device 3 for the Stirling engine may be any known one. When the cooling medium is water, warm water is generated by the exhaust heat from the cooling unit 4A1. This hot water can be taken out of the system and used.

  The heating unit 4A2 is heated by a heat source provided outside the Stirling engine 4A and is maintained at a relatively high temperature. The heat source in this embodiment is the Stirling engine heating apparatus 1 according to the present invention. A specific configuration of the embodiment of the heating device 1 for the Stirling engine will be described with reference to FIGS. The oxyhydrogen mixed gas is supplied from the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2 to the heating device 1 for the Stirling engine of the present invention. A specific configuration of the embodiment of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The drive unit 4A3 includes mechanical elements such as a piston and a crank. The mechanical element moves by the movement of the working fluid. The movement of the mechanical element is output as power to the outside of the Stirling engine 4A.

  The power output from the Stirling engine 4A is input to the power generation unit 4B. The power generation unit 4B includes a generator such as a turbine, generates power using the input power, and outputs the generated power to the outside.

  It is known that only the Stirling engine 4A is a single device. In that case, another mechanical device is driven using the output power, or power is generated by connecting to an external generator.

  Further, as in the illustrated example, the Stirling engine power generator 4 can be configured as a single device by combining and integrating the Stirling engine 4A and the power generation unit 4B.

  According to the present invention, at least the Stirling engine heating device 1 of the present invention is combined with the Stirling engine 4A, and the Stirling engine starting system 10 can be configured as a single device by integrating them. In this case, each of the Stirling engine cooling device 3 and the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2 may be appropriately connected by a line, or may be integrated.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to configure the Stirling engine power generation system 20 as a single device by combining at least the power generation unit 4B with the above Stirling engine starting system 10 and integrating them. In this case as well, each of the Stirling engine cooling device 3 and the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2 may be appropriately connected by a line, or may be integrated.

  FIG. 2 is an elevational view schematically showing a main part of one embodiment of a Stirling engine power generation system 20 in which the Stirling engine heating apparatus 1 and the Stirling engine power generation apparatus 4 according to the present invention are integrated into one apparatus. FIG.

  A power generation unit 4B is disposed at the bottom of the Stirling engine power generation device 4, a cooling unit 4A1 and a drive unit 4A3 of the Stirling engine are disposed thereon, and a heating unit 4A2 of the Stirling engine is disposed thereon. . The inside of each of these parts is not an essential part of the present invention and will not be described. The heating unit 4A2 has a dome shape, and a plurality of annular fins are formed around it to increase heat exchange efficiency. A dome-shaped outer peripheral surface of the heating unit 4A2 is a heat receiving surface 4A21 that receives heat from a heat source. The heat receiving surface 4A21 is made of, for example, stainless steel. However, the material is not limited to this as long as the material has heat resistance. A temperature sensor (not shown) is installed inside the heating unit 4A2.

  A Stirling engine heating device (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “heating device”) 1 is installed outside the heat receiving surface 4A21 of the heating unit 4A2. In this case, since the heat receiving surface 4A21 faces upward, the heating device 1 is attached to the top of the Stirling engine power generation system 20.

  The heating device 1 includes a combustion furnace 1A. The combustion furnace 1A includes a substantially hemispherical combustion space 1A2 and a furnace wall 1A1 that surrounds substantially the entire combustion space 1A2. The combustion space 1A2 is a substantially sealed space. In FIG. 2, the front half of the furnace wall 1A1 is cut away to show the inside. The furnace wall 1A1 is formed of a material having heat resistance and heat insulation. For example, the furnace wall 1A1 is stainless steel, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the furnace wall 1A1 has a double structure and is subjected to heat diffusion prevention treatment with a heat insulating material. In order to improve heat convection, it is preferable that the combustion furnace 1A has a dome shape. Furthermore, it is preferable that the inner surface of the furnace wall 1A1 has a mirror finish in order to improve heat reflection.

  The combustion furnace 1 and the heat receiving surface 4A21, both of which have a dome shape, are arranged coaxially. Therefore, the heat receiving surface 4A21 of the heating unit 4A2 is in a state of protruding and exposed into the combustion space 1A2. An oxyhydrogen mixed gas G is introduced into the combustion space 1A2 from an external oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source, ignited by spark ignition, and a flame F is generated by combustion. Due to this flame F, the temperature in the combustion space 1A2 rises, and as a result, the heat receiving surface 4A21 is heated.

  An inlet 4A11 and an outlet 4A12 for circulating a cooling medium such as cooling water are provided on the side wall of the cooling unit 4A1 (these may be interchanged).

  3A and 3B are diagrams showing a main part of the Stirling engine heating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, in which FIG. 3A is a partially cutaway side view, and FIG. 3B is a view A of FIG.

  A ceramic catalyst 1B is installed in the combustion space 1A2. The ceramic catalyst 1B is preferably installed in the center of the combustion space 1A2 and in the vicinity of or adjacent to the heat receiving surface 4A21. In the illustrated example, the ceramic catalyst 1B is fixed to the catalyst support 1C attached to the dome apex of the heat receiving surface 4A21. The installation form of the ceramic catalyst 1B is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be suspended in the combustion space 1A2. The ceramic catalyst 1B activates the oxyhydrogen mixed gas and promotes the combustion reaction.

  The ceramic catalyst 1B is, for example, a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum titanate (for example, Recojit (registered trademark)). In particular, RECOGIT (registered trademark) can be mirror-finished, has a melting point of 1860 ° C. or more and excellent fire resistance, and has a relatively small thermal expansion coefficient while being a relatively dense sintered body. Is preferred. In the test, the ceramic catalyst 1B was not damaged by the high temperature.

  The combustion furnace 1A includes an oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism for burning the oxyhydrogen mixed gas in the combustion space 1A2 using the ceramic catalyst 1B. First, a hole for introducing an oxyhydrogen mixed gas is formed in the furnace wall 1A1. Through this hole, the nozzle support cylinder 1F is penetrated and fixed while maintaining a sealed state, and a jet nozzle 1D of a burner is inserted into the nozzle support cylinder 1F. The injection nozzle 1D injects an oxyhydrogen mixed gas in the combustion space 1A2. The supply amount or injection pressure of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas to the injection nozzle 1D is adjusted by an oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply valve (solenoid valve) 1D1. A spark igniter 1D2 (not explicitly shown) is provided at the tip of the injection nozzle 1D.

  The other end of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply valve 1D1 is supplied with an oxyhydrogen mixed gas from an external oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source. The oxyhydrogen mixed gas is supplied at a low pressure of about 0.2 to 0.3 MPa, for example. Therefore, the danger of high pressure gas is small.

  The tip of the injection nozzle 1D is directed to the ceramic catalyst 1B. The distance between the injection nozzle 1D and the ceramic catalyst 1B is adjusted by the flame distance adjuster 1E. This is because the flame caused by the combustion of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas strikes the ceramic catalyst 1B in an optimal state. The base end portion of the burner is fixed to the burner fixing column 1G2 so that the position can be adjusted, and the burner fixing column 1G2 is supported by the burner support base 2.

  The combustion furnace 1A is almost sealed. An exhaust pipe 1P is provided, but this is a capacity that does not affect the combustion reaction in the sealed state of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas. In the embodiment, the exhaust pipe 1P extends to the outside from one location on the peripheral edge of the lower end of the combustion furnace 1A, and the exhaust port 1P1 is opened. In the middle of the exhaust pipe 1P, an exhaust valve (electromagnetic valve) 1P2 for shutting off exhaust gas or adjusting the flow rate is installed. Normally, exhaust is almost unnecessary, but exhaust is performed when the pressure in the combustion space 1A2 increases beyond the normal range. In order to monitor the pressure in the combustion space 1A2, a pressure gauge 1M is installed.

  When the temperature of the flame when the oxyhydrogen mixed gas was burned in air was measured, at least 2650 ° C. was confirmed. As a test, when a rod of tungsten (melting point: 3422 ° C., boiling point: 5555 ° C.) was irradiated with a flame of an oxyhydrogen mixed gas in air, sublimation of tungsten was confirmed. As described above, the flame of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas can achieve an extremely high temperature of at least 2000 ° C. or higher.

  In another test result, a temperature of 2700 ° C. or higher was confirmed on the surface of the ceramic catalyst in contact with the oxyhydrogen mixed gas flame. By arranging the ceramic catalyst B as shown in FIG. 3, such a high temperature can be realized in the very vicinity of the heat receiving surface 4A21 of the heating unit 4A2. As a result, the heat receiving surface 4A21 can be effectively heated.

  Note that the temperature in the combustion space 1A2 can be adjusted by the amount of oxyhydrogen mixed gas ejected. During operation, for example, the heat receiving surface 4A21 is adjusted to be about 500 ° C to 700 ° C. The inner surface of the furnace wall 1A1 of the combustion furnace 1A also has the same temperature as the heat receiving surface 4A21.

4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams schematically showing three examples of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source.
FIG. 4A shows an oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source including an oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A and a flow rate control valve 2B. The oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A is constituted by a water electrolysis tank. In this case, oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are mixed at the ratio of 1: 2 generated and supplied as an oxyhydrogen mixed gas.

  FIG. 4B shows an oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source including an oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A, an oxyhydrogen gas mixer 2C, and flow rate control valves 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3. The oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A in this case has an oxygen gas generation side and a hydrogen gas generation side partitioned by a separator, and the flow rate can be adjusted by flow rate control valves 2B1 and 2B2, respectively. Therefore, it can be mixed at a desired ratio in the oxyhydrogen gas mixer 2C.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an oxyhydrogen mixed gas storage container is not required, and the oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A may be turned on / off in conjunction with the on / off of the Stirling engine. In the present invention, it is preferable to electrolyze water as necessary to generate an oxyhydrogen mixed gas, and to immediately supply the generated oxyhydrogen mixed gas to the heating unit of the Stirling engine. But in order to make supply pressure constant, you may supply through the storage part which stores an oxyhydrogen mixed gas temporarily.

The power required to produce 1 m ^{3 of} oxyhydrogen mixed gas by electrolysis of water is about 2.4 kW. In addition, since the power consumption of a general oxyhydrogen gas generator is about 1.2 kWh / 6A (average 0.8 kWh) at the maximum, for example, a vehicle-mounted battery can be used. The surplus power generated by the Stirling engine power generation system can be used for charging the power battery that drives the oxyhydrogen gas generator.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4C shows an oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source including an oxyhydrogen gas reservoir 2D storing an oxyhydrogen mixed gas in which oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are mixed at a predetermined ratio and a flow rate control valve 2B. is there. In this case, the generation location of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas need not be in the vicinity of the installation location of the Stirling engine. Stirling engines can be operated even in places where there is no power source for water electrolysis.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the entire system including the main part of the Stirling engine power generation system 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the flow of water is schematically shown by a thick dotted line, and the flow of power is schematically shown by a thick solid line.

  Cooling water circulates between the cooling unit 4A1 of the Stirling engine 4A and the Stirling engine cooling device 3. The Stirling engine cooling device 3 includes a water storage tank 3A and a hot water temperature sensor 3C that detects the temperature of the hot water in the water storage tank 3A. During operation, cold water is supplied to the lower part of the water storage tank 3A from the outside. The circulation pump P supplies the cold water in the lower part of the water storage tank 3A to the cooling part 4A1 of the Stirling engine 4A, and returns the hot water flowing out from the cooling part 4A1 to the upper part of the water storage tank 3A. Hot water accumulates in the upper part of the water storage tank 3A. The hot water in the upper part of the water storage tank 3A is supplied to the outside and used.

  The electric power generated by the power generation unit 4B is measured by the generated power integrator 4C. In the present embodiment, the battery 5 that is a secondary battery is charged and stored with the generated electric power.

  In this embodiment, power is supplied from the battery 5 to the electrolysis power source 2A1 of the oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A of the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2. The power consumption of the oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A is measured by a power consumption integrator 2E.

  The electric power stored in the battery 5 is supplied to the outside. Further, when the power of the battery 5 is insufficient, supplementary charging from an external power source (another natural energy power generation device such as a solar cell panel) is possible.

In accordance with the configuration of the Stirling engine power generation system shown in FIG. 5, devices of the following scale were manufactured for operation tests.
・ Diameter: about 25cm, height: about 50cm (rated power of about 1kW)

Using the above apparatus, an operation test was performed according to the following operation procedure.
(I) The circulation pump P is operated, and the cooling water circulation is started.
(Ii) The oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A is operated, and a predetermined amount is stored in the storage unit in the oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A. When the pressure in the storage unit becomes 0.3 MPa, the oxyhydrogen gas generator 2A is stopped, and when the pressure becomes 0.2 MPa, it is restarted.
(Iii) When the pressure in the combustion space 1A2 of the combustion furnace 1A is 0.3 MPa or less, the exhaust valve (solenoid valve) 1P2 is closed by an on / off pressure switch.
(Iv) When the pressure in the combustion space 1A2 of the combustion furnace 1A exceeds 0.3 MPa, the exhaust valve (solenoid valve) 1P2 is opened by the on / off pressure switch.
(V) When the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 3C of the water storage tank 3A is 50 ° C. or lower, the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply valve 1D1 is opened, and the oxyhydrogen mixed gas flows into the combustion space 1A2 from the injection nozzle 1D.
(Vi) Spark discharge is performed at the terminal of the spark igniter 1D2 (with a temperature sensor), and the oxyhydrogen mixed gas is ignited. The temperature rise after ignition is detected by a temperature sensor, and the spark discharge is stopped.
(Vii) When the temperature sensor installed inside the heating unit 4A2 of the Stirling engine 4A detects that the heat receiving surface 4A21 of the heating unit 4A2 has reached 200 ° C., the Stirling engine 4A is started. As a result, the power generation unit 4B generates power.
(Viii) When the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 3C of the water storage tank 3A reaches 50 ° C., the oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply valve 1D1 is closed and the Stirling engine 4A is stopped.

1: Stirling engine heating device 1A: Furnace wall 1A2: Combustion space 1B: Ceramic catalyst 1C: Catalyst support 1D: Injection nozzle 1D1: Oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply valve 1D2: Spark igniter 1E: Flame distance adjuster 1F: Nozzle support Tube 1G2: Burner fixed column 1G1: Burner support 1M: Pressure gauge 1P: Exhaust pipe 1P1: Exhaust port 1P2: Exhaust valve 2: Oxyhydrogen mixed gas supply source 2A: Oxyhydrogen mixed gas generator 2A1: Electrolytic power source 2C : Oxyhydrogen mixed gas mixer 2B, 2B1, 2B2, 2B3: Flow rate control valve 2E: Power consumption integrator 3: Stirling engine cooling device 3A: Water storage tank 3B: Circulation pump 3C: Hot water temperature sensor 4: Stirling engine power generator 4A : Stirling engine 4A1: Cooling unit 4A2: Heating unit 4A21: Heat receiving 4A3: driver 4B: power generator 10: Stirling engine activation system 20: Stirling engine generator system F: Flame G: oxyhydrogen gas mixture

Claims (10)

A heating device (1) installed outside the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating unit (4A2) to heat the heating unit (4A2) of the Stirling engine (4A),
A combustion furnace (1A) comprising a combustion space (1A2) in which the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating unit is exposed and a furnace wall (1A1) surrounding the combustion space (1A2);
A ceramic catalyst (1B) installed in the combustion space (1A2);
An oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism for burning an oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) in which oxygen and hydrogen are mixed using the ceramic catalyst (1B) in the combustion space (1A2). ,
Heating device for Stirling engine.   The oxyhydrogen mixed gas combustion mechanism includes an injection nozzle (1D) for injecting and burning the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) toward the ceramic catalyst (1B). The heating apparatus for Stirling engines described in 1.   The heating device for a Stirling engine according to claim 2, wherein the ceramic catalyst (1B) is installed at a position adjacent to the heat receiving surface (4A21) at a central portion of the combustion space (1A2).   The heating apparatus for a Stirling engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the combustion furnace (1A) includes an exhaust port (1P1).   The heating apparatus for a Stirling engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is supplied from an oxyhydrogen gas generator (2A) for electrolyzing water. A Stirling engine starting system (10) comprising at least the Stirling engine heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a Stirling engine (4A),
The Stirling engine (4A) includes a heating unit (4A2) heated by the Stirling engine heating device (1), a cooling unit (4A1), a temperature of the heating unit (4A2) and the cooling unit (4A1). A drive unit (4A3) that outputs mechanical power by driving a mechanical element by the difference,
Stirling engine activation system. A Stirling engine power generation system (20) that generates power using power output from a Stirling engine,
A Stirling engine starting system (10) according to claim 6,
A Stirling engine power generation system comprising: a power generation unit (4B) that generates power using the power output from the drive unit (4A3) and outputs power. A heating method for heating a heating part (4A2) of a Stirling engine (4A),
In the almost sealed combustion space (1A2) where the heat receiving surface (4A21) of the heating part (4A) is exposed, the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) mixed with oxygen and hydrogen is used using the ceramic catalyst (1B). A heating method for a Stirling engine, wherein the heating unit (4A2) is heated by burning.   The method for heating a Stirling engine according to claim 8, wherein the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is combusted while being injected toward the ceramic catalyst (1B).   The method for heating a Stirling engine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the oxyhydrogen mixed gas (G) is simultaneously supplied while being generated by electrolysis of water.

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