Demonstrate the Stirling engine. Classes Used: PHYS 157, PHYS 203

Entropy, Energy Conversion, Stirling cycle

Useful Links: How Stuff Works provides an excellent description of Stirling Engines and some physical concepts behind them: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/stirling-engine.htm American Stirling Company is the place to go if one was interested in purchasing a Stirling Engine that can run using the heat of your monitor! http://www.stirlingengine.com/ For those interested in creating their own Stirling Engine, perhaps Koichi Hirata can help out. http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/

Demonstrate the Stirling engine.

- Stirling Engine - Alcohol lamp - Lighter or matches - Liquid nitrogen - Styrofoam cup

1. Remove the lid from the alcohol lamp, place it beneath the engine and ignite. 2. Let the lamp warm up the cylinder for 5-10 minutes then spin the blades counterclockwise (when facing from front). Cold Alternative 1. To run the engine off a cold source, pour liquid nitrogen into the Styrofoam cup and immerse the bottom end of the engine in it. This might take a couple refills. (Or use a 2L pop bottle with the top cut off, takes one refill) 2. The engine will run in the reverse direction, therefore a clockwise spin will be required to start it.

If the lamp is empty, there's ethanol in the fumehood near the sink. Do not use the lamp oil.

Updated on: 01/19/16