This Stirling engine, developed by Dean KamenW, uses any heat source to produce electricity. This is probably done by either a dynamo or alternator fixed to the drive shaft, converting the mechanical to electrical power. It is about the size of a washing machine and produces 1 kW. At first glance, it looks like a regular Alpha-type stirling engine.
Use in microfinancing arrangements
Iqbal Quadir, the founder of Grameen PhoneW, conducted a six-month field trial, ending in September 2005. "This is a reliable machine," he says.
Kamen’s goal is to produce machines that cost $1,000 to $2,000 each. Under the Grameen model, they would be owned by entrepreneurs (funded by microcredit from the Grameen BankW). Quadir sees this as a better model than a single large power plant, in that it creates many entrepreneurs.
Uses
Water purification
Kamen thinks the waste heat of this device could be used to operate his other invention, the Slingshot water purifier.
Other Kamen Stirling engines
A different ? Stirling used by Kamen is used for transport, ie for the DEKA ReVolt. See here
Questions
- What is the latest news on the technology and the use of it with the Grameen model?[expansion needed]
- (Google News for Kamen + Stirling - http://news.google.com/news?q=kamen+stirling )
- How clean is the exhaust gas?[expansion needed]
- How cost effective is it?[expansion needed]
- How efficiently does it use the fuel?[expansion needed]