Optimizing Geothermal Energy Production and Utilization Technology

Alberta possesses a vast low enthalpy geothermal resource (below 100 °C); however, it is currently not financially viable to convert this resource to electricity. 


Stirling engines are externally heated, closed-cycle heat engines capable of running at 0.5ºC temperature differences. With unconventional engine materials functional near 100ºC, Stirling engines present a financially sound solution to producing electricity from low enthalpy resources. 


The aim of this project is to develop engines for conversion of low grade heat into electricity. Candidate unit designs will first be manufactured at the bench scale, to gain experience and compare options. Successful unit designs will be mechanically coupled to form engines, and electrically coupled to form modular power stations.


 


 



 

Summit Award

Lianne Michelle Lefsrud

Award

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A numerical study on compositional modeling of two-phase fluid flow and heat transfer in vertical wells.

David S. Nobes, Sara Eghbali

Scholarly Refereed Journal

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Application of Simultaneous Time-Resolved 3-D PTV and Two-colour LIF in Studying Rayleigh-Benard

David S. Nobes, Sina Kashanj

Conference Proceedings

Approximations for use in cycling thermodynamic systems: Applications for Stirling engines

David S. Nobes, Steven Middleton

Conference Proceedings

Dimensionless Heat Transfer Correlations Of Finned-Tube Radiators In Fully Reversed Oscillating Flow

David S. Nobes, David Miller, Jason Michaud, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

Dynamic Modelling of Low Temperature Stirling Engines

David S. Nobes, Steven Middleton

Conference Proceedings

Early Development of a 100 Watt Low Temperature Difference Stirling Engine

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, Michael Nicol-Seto, Steven Middleton, Linda Hasanovich, Matthias Lottmann, Zachary Christopher De Rouyan

Conference Proceedings

Effect of Scaling Up Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engines, 18th ISEC International Stirling Engine Conference, Tainan, Taiwan, Sept 19-21, 2018 C5. Nicol-Seto, M., Michaud, J., Middleton, S., and Nobes, D.S. (2018) Non-Traditional Drive Mechanism

David S. Nobes, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

Empirical Heat Transfer Correlations of Finned-Tube Heat Exchangers in Pulsatile Flow.

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller, Jason Michaud, Calynn Stumpf

Scholarly Refereed Journal

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Empirical heat transfer correlations of finned-tube heat exchangers in oscillating flow for low temperature Stirling engines

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller, Jason Michaud, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

Evaluation Of A Low Temperature Stirling Engine Using A Discontinuous Thermodynamic Cycle

David S. Nobes, Michael Nicol-Seto

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Experimental Investigation of Stirling Engine Modelling Techniques at Reduced Source Temperatures

David Miller

Master Thesis

Geothermal Theme Website

Website

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Heat Transfer In Oscillating Fluid Flow Through Parallel Flat Plate Channel Heat Exchangers

David S. Nobes, Steven Middleton, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

Investigation Into The Onset Of Turbulent Rayleigh-Benard Convection Using Time-Resolved 2-D Particle Image Velocimetry

David S. Nobes, Sina Kashanj

Conference Proceedings

Investigation of a Drive Mechanism Modification to Increase Thermodynamic Power of a Low Temperature Differential Gamma Type Stirling Engine

Michael Nicol-Seto

Master Thesis

Investigations into the effect of heat exchanger volume and geometry on low-temperature Stirling engine performance

David S. Nobes, Linda Hasanovich

Conference Proceedings

Low Temperature Difference Alpha-Type Stirling Engine for the Experimental Determination of Optimal Parameters to Maximize Shaft Power

Jason Michaud

Master Thesis

Mechanism Design Approaches in SOLIDWORKS

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

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Modification of an ST05G-CNC Stirling Engine to Use a Low Temperature Heat Source

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller, Jason Michaud

Conference Proceedings

Modifications to Reduce the Minimum Thermal Source Temperature of the ST05G-CNC Stirling Engine

Connor Speer

Master Thesis

Modular one-dimensional simulation tool for oscillating flow and thermal networks in Stirling engines

David S. Nobes, Steven Middleton

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Non-Traditional Drive Mechanism Designs for the Improvement of Heat Transfer in Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engines

David S. Nobes, Michael Nicol-Seto, Jason Michaud, Steven Middleton

Conference Proceedings

Parameter Optimization of a Low Temperature Difference Gamma-Type Stirling Engine to Maximize Shaft Power

Calynn Stumpf

Master Thesis

Performance of ST05G-CNC Stirling Engine Modified for Operation with Reduced Source Temperature

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller

Conference Proceedings

Performance of a Modified Drive Mechanism on a Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engine

David S. Nobes, Michael Nicol-Seto

Conference Proceedings

Post finishing techniques to improve the functionality of 3D printed parts

Gabriel Salata

Master Thesis

Preliminary Design of a Hollow Displacer for a Low Temperature Difference Stirling Engine

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, Zachary Christopher De Rouyan

Conference Proceedings

Preliminary Model Validation For A Gamma Type Stirling Engine

David S. Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller

Conference Proceedings

Stirling Engines and Single-Phase Thermodynamic Machines

Steven Middleton

Master Thesis