New technology for coalbed methane power generation based on Stirling engine driven by porous burner

Abstract

The development of coalbed methane (CBM) power generation is restricted by the gas source instability. The existing technologies such as steam turbine, gas turbine, and gas engine are not suitable for the instability. So a new technology of CBM power generation is put forward which is a Stirling engine system driven by porous burner. The Stirling engine is an external-combustion engine and its working fluid is not involved in combustion. Stirling engine works as long as heat supply is guaranteed, and therefore it is not conditioned by the gas source instability in itself. Porous burner is a premixed combustion technology in porous medium based on the excess enthalpy combustion. The porous medium is characteristic of the strong heat storage capability and the small combustion pore diameter, and accordingly it adapts well to the gas source instability. So the new CBM power generation technology, which combines the external-combustion distinction of Stirling engine and well adaptability to the gas source instability of porous burner, will agree with the coalbed gas source instability. © 2009.