|
Post by pallasathena on Jun 10, 2008 23:26:23 GMT -5
Some time ago, I bought the rights to build a small, very efficient steam engine. It has 10 hp but only takes up a footprint of about 15 inches by 8 inches, and stands about 8 inches tall. 10 hp is enough to power a 5000 watt generator. With a regenerative boiler (one that condenses the steam and reuses the water) all you would have to do is build a fire and keep it going and you would have plenty of power to run most anything you wanted.
It would be stand alone, probably not very portable but that depends on the boiler, and very low maintenance; check the water once in a while and keep the fire going and that is it. Steam engines are much more reliable than internal combustion engines and will last forever (not to mention it might be tough to find petroleum products in a pinch, rendering other generators useless).
I have had this idea for some time. I have never proved it out, but have purchased some of the needed parts and they are sitting on a shelf in my garage. I was going to build one for myself "just in case" you know, but have never put the time or money into it. I am interested in others feedback, would this be a workable thing when/if the grid goes down for good?
|
|
|
Post by LDS Anarchist on Jun 16, 2008 16:06:44 GMT -5
Keeping in mind that I am not an engineer, I say go for it.
|
|
|
Post by pallasathena on Jun 22, 2008 22:20:15 GMT -5
Something to add to this, this could be used for any size project. The steam engine can grow in size to as large as you want, you just need a bigger boiler to power it (and a bigger generator end as well). The 5kW I have been thinking of building could power a house (no A/C) for the most part but to power a city block (or a city) it would be more prudent to make one big one than have a little one at each house (or would it?). www.greensteamengine.com/, this is the website, he has a 500hp model on there.
|
|
|
Post by pallasathena on Sept 7, 2008 0:20:57 GMT -5
I just looked at the website again. On the front page he has added a picture of a steam engine he has hooked up to a generator, his does not have a boiler in the picture but I have been thinking of ways to build it all as one compact unit.
|
|