Powerful stirling engines?

Question

What are the most powerfull sterling engines produced and what is the cost of running them?

seen apic of a claimed 5kw engine, any others.

+ whats the power output of LTD(low temperature difference) engines. [ the kit type ones]

Answer 1

There are some Stirling cycle engines out west that are mounted in a collector array that reputably produce several megawatts of power. But the beauty of the Stirling cycle is the limitation is only for the chosen material of construction, and the source of heat. Theoretically, it could be as big as you want. The practicality is that cost, weight, and maintenance become ridiculous after a certain point. The GE company manufactured a diaphragm type seal that worked for several million cycles before needing replaced. So cost of ownership can be small.

Answer 2

Most Powerful Stirling Engine

Answer 3

Don't know what the biggest engine is, but you might be able to find out by checking with Ford or General Motors who have both developed Stirling cycle engines for use in cars, buses, and trucks. These engines have the potential for higher efficiencies and better emmisions control than standard gas and diesel engines.
Up to this point they haven't been able to develop an engine to compete with the standard gas and diesel types, however.
Stirling engines are externally fired engines that use a regeneration in the cycle and can be used with any fuel that burns, however hydrogen and helium are the only two fuels that come close to competing with the standard engines, so far.