Beale number

In mechanical engineering, the Beale number is a parameter that characterizes the performance of Stirling engines.{{cite journal |last1=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |first1=New York |title=Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference |journal=16th, Atlanta, GA, August 9-14, 1981 |date=1981 |volume=2. (A82-11701 02-44) |page=1886, 1887}} It is often used to estimate the power output of a Stirling engine design. For engines operating with a high temperature differential, typical values for the Beale number are in the range 0.11−0.15; where a larger number indicates higher performance.

Definition

The Beale number can be defined in terms of a Stirling engine's operating parameters:

: $B_n = \frac{Wo}{PVF}$

where:

B_n is the Beale number
Wo is the power output of the engine (watts)
P is the mean average gas pressure (Pa) or (MPa, if volume is in cm³)
V is swept volume of the power piston (m³, or cm³, if pressure is in MPa)
F is the engine cycle frequency (Hz)

Estimating Stirling power

To estimate the power output of an engine, nominal values are assumed for the Beale number, pressure, swept volume and frequency, then the power is calculated as the product of these parameters, as follows:

: $Wo = B_n PVF$

References

External links

[http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/academic/simple/simplee.htm Stirling Engine Performance Calculator]
[http://www.fxsolver.com/browse/formulas/Beale+number Beale number calculator]

Category:Dimensionless numbers of thermodynamics

Category:Piston engines

Category:Mechanical engineering

Beale number

Definition

Estimating Stirling power

See also

References

External links