Stirling Engine Blog 22 Feb 18 2013

I have decided to use the Measurement Computing (MCC USB-TC) DAQ for the thermocouple measurements due to its simplicity. I am having some difficulty with this however as the ULx drivers supplied by Measurement Computing are not compatible with LabView 2011. 

I have potentially found a workaround  here: 

http://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/Does-Universal-Library-Extension-works-for-LabVIEW2011/td-p/1688304

Solving this issue is the last major hurdle in the project. Once I have the data acquisition solved, all that is left is to do is install the remaining hardware. I am undecided whether setting up the pressure transducer is worthwhile as it will involve using the NI USB6211 DAQ and is unlikely to yield any crucial information. Due to project time constraints, I feel that omitting this sensor is the best course of action.

Stirling Engine Blog 21 Feb 14 2013

With the assistance of Umer Khan we figured out how to get the LabView program functioning correctly. There were no errors in the programming, just a subtle sequence to initiating the program. It is necessary to direct the file path to the MicroMon data from the Front Panel VI. Once this is done the program works perfectly.

All that is left to do now is set up the thermocouple data acquisition and have them reading in appropriately. 

Stirling Engine Blog 20 Feb 13 2013

I spent all day today trying to get the LabView program to work but was unable to solve a fundamental issue with reading in live data from a text file.

The crucial half of the program (related to acquiring data from the MicroMon datalog file into LabView) is shown below:

I am working together with Umer to try and solve this issue and have offered him the ability to log in remotely via TeamViewer to review the program as he recalls encountering a similar problem. Solving the LabView program is the last remaining hurdle in the project as everything else has known solutions and can be readily implemented. 

Stirling Engine Blog 19 Feb 12 2013

I decided to draft up a project plan for remaining work in order to get back on track with the project. It is becoming difficult to juggle between the FYP, PhD application and continuing to work towards the degree and I hope that a project plan will allow me best optimise my time.

Additionally, I did some work on Umer Khan's program in order to try and understand it. I am having difficulty getting it to function correctly however. 

Project Plan

Hardware

Software

Flowmeter Buy 2 x ¾” straight compression couplings Plumb flowmeter (mount?) Thermocouples Identify TC sealant method Get TC’s from Thermo lab Install Engine discharge TC Install Engine return TC Install Marine HX Water in TC Install Marine HX  Water out TC Connect all TC to NI DAQ Pressure Transducer Get TK wiring diagram Wire sensor to power supply Thread seal fittings Attach pressure lines Mount in DIN rail box?

LabView Program Bring DAQ home Define program requirements Understand Umer Khan’s program Identify transferable components Program Milestones 1.       NI DAQ reading into LabView 2.       MicroMon data file reading into LabView 3.       Inputs defined and programmed 4.       Outputs defined and programmed 5.       Demonstrate Program stability 6.       Install system in test cell 7.       Capture live data 8.       Run Test

LabView Program Requirements

NI DAQ read in:

• Engine discharge TC
• Engine return TC
• Marine HX Water in TC
• Marine HX  Water out TC
• Pressure Transducer

Read from Measurement File:

• Power
• Fan Speed
• Exhaust Temp
• Pump Frequency

Inputs

• Calorific Value of Diesel (MJ/kg)
• Average Water Flow Rate (lpm)
• File Path (Read from Measurement File)

Outputs

• Heat Output (coolant mass flowrate x ΔT) in kW
• Gross Electrical Output (kW)
• Thermal Efficiency (Heat Output / Heat Input)
• Gross Electrical Efficiency (Electric Out / Heat Input)
• System Efficiency ([Heat output + Gross Electrical Output]/Heat Input)

Test Plan

• Run 4x efficiency tests for repeatability
• Attempt to vary coolant temperatures (up to ~60 celcius)? Run 2x tests

Week 1 (11-15^th Feb)

• Buy 2 x ¾” straight compression
• Bring DAQ home
• Get TC’s from Thermo lab
• Get TK wiring diagram
• Identify TC sealant method 

Week 2 (18-22^nd Feb)

Week 3 (25^th-1^st Feb)

Week 4 (4^th-8^th Mar)

Week 5 (8-15^th March End) 

Stirling Engine Blog 18 Feb 11 2013

I met with Rory and Harald today and filled them in on my trip to the UK and discussed the research direction of the PhD based on that meeting.

Note that I was unable to do any work directly related to the Final Year Project all last week as I was preparing for my trip to Microgen and reading background information on Free Piston Stirling Engines.

Stirling Engine Blog 17 Feb 1 2013

I performed a repeatability test today under the same conditions as the last test. I attained excellent correlation between results which is shown below:

Stirling Engine Blog 16 January 30 2013

I did not do any physical work on the engine today as I was in Thermo King discussing both the project and the PhD application.

Thermo King were kind enough to order me the following (expected within a week):

• Flowmeter for measuring the coolant loop flowrate
• Power supply for the pressure transducer
• Gas Hoses and fittings for connecting to the transducer
• Wall box for mounting the sensors
• Selection of terminal blocks for wiring

Shown below is a similar pressure transducer setup (which I hope to replicate):