Patent attributes
A Stirling engine-equipped cogeneration system is capable of utilizing thermal energy, without waste, and of offering high thermal usage efficiency at every stage of the thermal energy utilization process. The system includes a combustion chamber (11), a burner unit (5) installed to the combustion chamber, the burner unit driving combustion to generates exhaust gas within the combustion chamber, a liquid media jacket (21) that envelopes the combustion chamber, a liquid media flowing within the liquid media jacket and absorbing thermal energy from the burner-generated exhaust gas, a Stirling engine (4) operating from a sealed operating fluid heated by the heater (3) which is located within the combustion chamber facing the burner and subjected to the flow of exhaust gas generated within the combustion chamber, an exhaust gas flow channel (20) through which flows burner-generated exhaust gas after having flowed through and heating the heater, and an exhaust gas passage (22) having an entrance connected to the exhaust gas flow channel as means of allowing the exhaust gas to heat the liquid medium in the liquid media jacket. The exhaust gas generated from the burner-driven combustion flows into the heater to transfer thermal energy thereto, then flows into the exhaust gas passage, through the exhaust gas flow channel to transfer the thermal energy to the liquid medium, thereby heating the liquid medium and heater simultaneously.
