CommodoreFluffy
2008-09-19, 12:30 PM
Hey guys, What's up?
I have a science fair coming up for my science class, And I had a great idea:
Science Fair Introduction
The Effect of Working Gas on Energy Output
CommodoreFluffy
Hypothesis:
If denatured ethyl alcohol is used, the rpm will be higher.
To support this is the fact that the thermal expansion coefficient of ethyl alcohol is greater than that of other listed liquids, which would cause a more dramatic force on the piston.
Experiment:
My idea is to create, or demonstrate the principals of a rotary stirling engine. Working off of thermal expansion, the cylinders would rotate, exposing themselves to the new temperature. The idea in general was invented in 1816 by Rev. Robert Stirling of Scotland. Stirling engines feature a completely closed system in which the working gas (usually air but sometimes helium or hydrogen) is alternately heated and cooled by shifting the gas to different temperature locations within the system. The other part of the idea (rotary system) was inspired by the Gnome Rotary engine, which was used during world war one in fighter planes, where the cylinders and piston arms would rotate together, but on offset axis to create a difference in depth. My experiment is to test what would be the most effective working gas in conditions similar to that of the Mojave Desert.
Independent:
Working Gas
Dependent:
RPM
Constants:
1. Machine
2. Temperatures
3. Pressure
4. Volume
5. Warm up time
Materials:
1. Machine
a. Cylinder
b. Piston
c. Arm
d. Wheel
e. Axle
f. Heater/cooler
2. Denatured Ethyl Alcohol
3. Air
4. Helium
5. Water
6. Oxygen
7. Kerosene
Procedure:
1. put piston all the way down
2. fill cylinder
3. seal cylinder
4. knock off centre (clockwise)
5. wait for 2 minutes
6. check rotations and record
Purpose:
The purpose is to find the most effective working gas for a rotary sterling engine.
In the world today, we are facing an energy crisis. Gas prices are inflating, and other alternatives are not working as well as hoped. One source of energy is as sure as the sun coming up each morning, it is, the sun coming up each morning. But current technologies that tap solar energy are expensive, a company that provides cheap household solar panels charges from $10k to 100k. In areas with not much money, and harsh conditions, such as the south Americas, and Africa, it is difficult to tap the sun, which affects them more than anywhere else. This project is an attempt to create a cheaper, more durable, and easily repairable way to tap thermal contrast.
The Experiment is designed to tell if a rotary sterling engine is a feasible solution to the energy crisis at a low cost, either in geothermal or solar applications. If so, this could be a new alternate energy source in places unable to afford a solar panel.
Unfortunately I am unable to procure the materials to carry this project out, and that means I am back to the drawing board:smallannoyed:. My creativity has kinda burned out:smalleek: so if any of you can help me draft a feasible idea with a testable hypothesis, it would be much appreciated
I have a science fair coming up for my science class, And I had a great idea:
Science Fair Introduction
The Effect of Working Gas on Energy Output
CommodoreFluffy
Hypothesis:
If denatured ethyl alcohol is used, the rpm will be higher.
To support this is the fact that the thermal expansion coefficient of ethyl alcohol is greater than that of other listed liquids, which would cause a more dramatic force on the piston.
Experiment:
My idea is to create, or demonstrate the principals of a rotary stirling engine. Working off of thermal expansion, the cylinders would rotate, exposing themselves to the new temperature. The idea in general was invented in 1816 by Rev. Robert Stirling of Scotland. Stirling engines feature a completely closed system in which the working gas (usually air but sometimes helium or hydrogen) is alternately heated and cooled by shifting the gas to different temperature locations within the system. The other part of the idea (rotary system) was inspired by the Gnome Rotary engine, which was used during world war one in fighter planes, where the cylinders and piston arms would rotate together, but on offset axis to create a difference in depth. My experiment is to test what would be the most effective working gas in conditions similar to that of the Mojave Desert.
Independent:
Working Gas
Dependent:
RPM
Constants:
1. Machine
2. Temperatures
3. Pressure
4. Volume
5. Warm up time
Materials:
1. Machine
a. Cylinder
b. Piston
c. Arm
d. Wheel
e. Axle
f. Heater/cooler
2. Denatured Ethyl Alcohol
3. Air
4. Helium
5. Water
6. Oxygen
7. Kerosene
Procedure:
1. put piston all the way down
2. fill cylinder
3. seal cylinder
4. knock off centre (clockwise)
5. wait for 2 minutes
6. check rotations and record
Purpose:
The purpose is to find the most effective working gas for a rotary sterling engine.
In the world today, we are facing an energy crisis. Gas prices are inflating, and other alternatives are not working as well as hoped. One source of energy is as sure as the sun coming up each morning, it is, the sun coming up each morning. But current technologies that tap solar energy are expensive, a company that provides cheap household solar panels charges from $10k to 100k. In areas with not much money, and harsh conditions, such as the south Americas, and Africa, it is difficult to tap the sun, which affects them more than anywhere else. This project is an attempt to create a cheaper, more durable, and easily repairable way to tap thermal contrast.
The Experiment is designed to tell if a rotary sterling engine is a feasible solution to the energy crisis at a low cost, either in geothermal or solar applications. If so, this could be a new alternate energy source in places unable to afford a solar panel.
Unfortunately I am unable to procure the materials to carry this project out, and that means I am back to the drawing board:smallannoyed:. My creativity has kinda burned out:smalleek: so if any of you can help me draft a feasible idea with a testable hypothesis, it would be much appreciated