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Where can I get alpha type Stirling engines.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:35 am
by vaibhavkbarnwal
I want to buy an alpha type Stirling engine. I searched on internet
but can only find Beta-type Stirling engines. Is it available in
market? Please help. Thanks in advance.
Response to Where can I get alpha type Stirling engines.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:58 pm
by bptdude___2569
Well, just last night I was reading about a new NASA design alpha Stirling that produces 50 kilowatts, and will run continous for decades. They are very interested in dynamic engines, instead of the old thermocouple types, because the dynamic ones get three times as much output. There are no cuurent plans to launch one, but they have test units running fine.
I do not think you could buy one though, unless you have a license to own PU-238, which is the fuel. This is NOT the thermoacoustic we know about already, and the plutonium is NOT being used in fusion.
A very cool application of Stirling, and an alpha engine.