External combustion engine
An external combustion engine (EC engine) is a heat engine where an (internal) working fluid is heated by combustion in an external source, through the engine wall or a heat exchanger. The fluid then, by expanding and acting on the mechanism of the engine, produces motion and usable work.[1] The fluid is then cooled, compressed and reused (closed cycle), or (less commonly) dumped, and cool fluid pulled in (open cycle air engine).
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[edit] Combustion
"Combustion" refers to burning fuel with an oxidizer, to supply the heat. Engines of similar (or even identical) configuration and operation may use a supply of heat from other sources such as nuclear, solar, geothermal or exothermic reactions not involving combustion; but are not then strictly classed as external combustion engines, but as external thermal engines.
[edit] Working fluid
The working fluid can be of any composition and the system may be single phase (liquid only or gas only) or dual phase (liquid/gas).
[edit] Single phase
Gas is used in a Stirling engine. Even single-phase liquid is sometimes used.[clarification needed]
[edit] Dual phase
Steam, as in a steam engine, is another option. In the case of the steam engine, or the Organic Rankine cycle the fluid changes phases between liquid and gas.
[edit] See also
- Organic Rankine cycle
- Steam engines
- Stirling engines
- Trochilic engine
- Internal combustion engine (ICE)
- Nuclear power
- Solar thermal rocket (an externally heated rocket)
- Naptha engine, a variant of the steam engine, using a petroleum liquid as both fuel and working fluid.
[edit] References
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