Combined Heat and Power System (CHPS)

The proposed Phase I effort by Infinia Corporation will produce a practical design concept for an innovative multi-cylinder, free-piston Stirling engine (MCFPSE) integrated into a combined heat and power system (CHPS) that will produce at least 9 kW of net electrical power after all auxiliaries, and 90 kW of useful heat at 500°F, using only 122 kW of combustion energy. It is possible to operate the proposed system using a wide range of gaseous and liquid fuels, including biofuels and JP-8. Infinia free-piston Stirling engines have demonstrated unprecedented life and reliability that avoids the maintenance and life issues with kinematic Stirling engines. The recently demonstrated MCFPSE innovation extends the free-piston advantages to higher power levels and higher power density. The proposed CHPS offers major advancements in the state-of-the-art that is only made possible within the resource constraints of the SBIR program because major subsystems from Infinia’s advanced 3-kW engine will be extensively utilized. Infinia will produce conceptual engine, burner and system designs during Phase I that will lead to a practical, reliable CHPS for integration with thermal-fluid based field kitchens, laundries and other support structures.