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.


 


 



 

Mechanism Design Approaches in SOLIDWORKS

Alexander Hunt

Conference/Workshop

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APEGA Summit Award

Lianne Lefsrud

Award

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

David Nobes, David Miller, Jason Michaud, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

Dynamic Modelling of Low Temperature Stirling Engines

David Nobes, Steven Middleton

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 Nobes, Alexander Hunt, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

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

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

Scholarly Refereed Journal

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

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

Conference Proceedings

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

David Nobes, Michael Nicol-Seto

Conference Proceedings

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

David Nobes, Steven Middleton, Calynn Stumpf

Conference Proceedings

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

David 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

Masters Thesis

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

David Nobes, Steven Middleton

Conference Proceedings

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

David 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

Masters Thesis

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

David Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller

Conference Proceedings

Preliminary Model Validation For A Gamma Type Stirling Engine

David Nobes, Connor Speer, David Miller

Conference Proceedings