The continuing development of a 10-ton light commercial natural-gas-fired kinematic Stirlingengine- driven heat pump system is described. Basic Stirling cycle thermodynamics are presented, and a complete engine heat balance is shown to det:ail the inherent advantages of the VI60 Stirling engine as a prime mover in a heat pump package. Results from environmental laboratory testing of a breadboard prototype are reviewed, and the test procedures used in the evaluation are explained. Seasonal performance of the heat pump package was predicted using a bin-temperature method based on Chicago and Dallas climatic data. Annual energy costs, as predicted by the seasonal performance analytical computer program, have been calculated for a gas furnace, standard electric heat pmnp, and the Stirling engine-driven prototype heat pump package. These computed costs for these systems are listed and compared.

Units: SI