small temp difference

[dukejaz2002]

i have access to cold, (5C)creek water and at very least geo sourced
warm, (13C) easily upped to 100C with a solar collector when the sun
shines. lets say both are accessible in relativly large amounts.
size is not a problem i have 10 acres on a mountainside.

if i build a large system could i run a sterling engine?

[stan.hornbaker]

A small temperature difference is not adequate to drive a Stirling engine of any consequence. As the size of any Stirling is increased linearly the areas increase as the square and the volume as the cube. Hence a larger engine quickly reaches a point where heat transfer becomes totally inadequate and the engine will/can not operate.

[rgmco]

ReGen Power Systems has designed a Stirling to operate as a steam condensing engine, utilizing the latent heat of condensation to drive the engine. The design is novel, overcoming the issue of unswept volume, and cannot be disclosed at the present time. We expect to have a bench model operating with 180F water on the hot side and chilled water on the cold side within a few weeks.