ANSYS Analysis
Steel Gasket
Only limited modelling within ANSYS was conducted throughout this project. The gasket component is viewed as an integral part to the optimized operation of the Stirling Engine. For this reason it was chosen to show the different temperatures achieved by making judicious material property decisions.
The model was created using a solid 87 element type which is typically used for 3D modelling within ANSYS. 1/8th of the model was created in ANSYS to reduce the amount of nodal computational points required to achieve a solution. The model was then mirrored to create the appearance of a fully constructed gasket. To allow consistency between both models the initial conditions and boundary conditions for the component were kept the same and only the material properties were altered. For the aluminium gasket the conductivity coefficient was used as 209W/m^2K and the steel gasket was used with the conductivity coefficient as 14W/m^2K. The models were created using the Log-file approach and have been uploaded onto the website below.
The gasket had 350 degrees Celsius applied to the top surface. This was to replicate the heat energy which is expected to translate through the hot cap by conduction.
Below shows the effects of changing the material used to create the gasket component from Aluminium to Steel. The steel gasket clearly works as a better insulator for the Stirling engine since the temperature at the far end of the heat source is lower. The difference of 120 degrees Celsius will clearly result in a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the Stirling Engine. As previously discussed the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the Stirling Engine is the operational driving force. The greater the temperature difference achieved the greater work output of the Stirling Engine.
The model was created using a solid 87 element type which is typically used for 3D modelling within ANSYS. 1/8th of the model was created in ANSYS to reduce the amount of nodal computational points required to achieve a solution. The model was then mirrored to create the appearance of a fully constructed gasket. To allow consistency between both models the initial conditions and boundary conditions for the component were kept the same and only the material properties were altered. For the aluminium gasket the conductivity coefficient was used as 209W/m^2K and the steel gasket was used with the conductivity coefficient as 14W/m^2K. The models were created using the Log-file approach and have been uploaded onto the website below.
The gasket had 350 degrees Celsius applied to the top surface. This was to replicate the heat energy which is expected to translate through the hot cap by conduction.
Below shows the effects of changing the material used to create the gasket component from Aluminium to Steel. The steel gasket clearly works as a better insulator for the Stirling engine since the temperature at the far end of the heat source is lower. The difference of 120 degrees Celsius will clearly result in a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the Stirling Engine. As previously discussed the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the Stirling Engine is the operational driving force. The greater the temperature difference achieved the greater work output of the Stirling Engine.
Aluminium Gasket
ANSYS Log Files
| Steel Gasket |
| Aluminium Gasket |
