Will Stirling Engines on Submarines Work Forever?

Subject: Will Stirling Engines on Submarines Work Forever?

Date: Fri Dec 22 15:51:48 2000
Posted by Matthew Barrett
Grade level: grad (non-science) School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Engineering
ID: 977518308.Eg

Message:


I've heard that the Stirling Engines in the Gotland class submarines could 
last forever, because they are powered by the difference in temperature 
between the submarine and the ocean.  Wouldn't this cycle eventually wear 
out because of the second law of thermodynamics?  If not, is this not a 
form of perpetual motion?  Would it be possible to have such a vehicle 
powered entirely by Stirling engines?

Re: Will Stirling Engines on Submarines Work Forever?

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