Numerical optimization of the externally heated valve air engine with blowers

This paper presents the numerical optimization of the two-stroke externally heated valve air engine (EHVE), where any fuel or solar heat can be used. The engine is entirely different from the well-known Stirling engine. It works in the closed Joule’s cycle and is composed of: an expander, a compressor, a heater, a cooler and two recirculation blowers, which increase the heat exchange. Air is the working medium. Heat exchangers (the heater and the cooler) are of arbitrary volumes. The optimization is, first of all, related to the ratio of compressor to expander volumes, which are investigated when the blowers are present in the considered model. Other optimization parameters are defined in the paper.