Zakharra wrote:Another question then: Why then didn't Merlin introduce Stirling engines over steam engines? If they are that much more efficient and effective as you all Are portraying, he should have pushed for them instead of the 'inefficient and dangerous' steam engines. Unless there's more of a benefit to steam engines than Stirlings.
Steam engines require less machining tolerance, so Steam provides the power to make the tools needed to make an efficient Stirling.
It's a case of, "needing to make the tools to make the tools." A good blacksmith or talented amateur can make a functional steam engine with nothing more than ferrous rocks and a dead cow or two. (Need leather for the bellows once you get past smelting the first chunk of metal with a few friends using blow-pipes. ) I'm not sure the same can be said for a Stirling-Cycle engine; the operating principles aren't quite as intuitive as simple Steam engines.