benefits of using Mercury over gas?

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richard___5694
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benefits of using Mercury over gas?

Post by richard___5694 »

I wonder if there would be any benefit to using a liquid like mercury
inside a Stirling engine?

how would it affect,

speed
power production
sealing issues
lubrication

just thinking out loud here.
stan.hornbaker
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Response to benefits of using Mercury over gas?

Post by stan.hornbaker »

The low operating temperature would have to be substantially above the boiling point of mercury which is 356.58 deg.C or 672.80 deg.F. This would require much higher high op. temp. for any reasonable power output.
richard___5694
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Response to benefits of using Mercury over gas?

Post by richard___5694 »

what about in it's liquid form? too slow?
ctrl_07
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Response to benefits of using Mercury over gas?

Post by ctrl_07 »

Can you compress Mercury? I'm a Stirling n00bie, but it would seem to me compressability a factor needed for efficiency.
bptdude___2569
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Response to benefits of using Mercury over gas?

Post by bptdude___2569 »


pickinhg Mercury so it would lubricate is letting the tail wag the dog.

but, there is such a thing as Stirling engines that use liquid instead of gas as the working fluid, and yes that does change engine dynamics, such as piston lubrication, I suppose.

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