Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-04-01T06:22:40Z

Azuredu: /* Fabrication Procedure */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

This method http://www.ffwdm.com/solar/solar-index.htm for constructing parabolic arrays deserves consideration as well. Demonstrated cost of $150 for 800 watt sections in Toronto Canada. Note that the pipe serves as the rotational bearing surface, eliminating need for flexible pipe connections. (Warning: this last one probably has a temperature limite too low for efficient power generation. The lifetime may also be a problem.)

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half. About 1mm thick.

==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough]

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-25T17:47:04Z

Azuredu: /* Introduction */

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-25T17:46:12Z

Azuredu: /* Introduction */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

This method http://www.ffwdm.com/solar/solar-index.htm for constructing parabolic arrays deserves consideration as well. Demonstrated cost of $150 for 800 watt sections in Toronto Canada. Note that the pipe serves as the rotational bearing surface, eliminating need for flexible pipe connections. (Warning: this one probably has a temperature limite too low for efficient power generation. The lifetime may also be a problem.)

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half. About 1mm thick.

==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-15T10:39:09Z

Azuredu: /* Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar? */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half. About 1mm thick.

==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-15T10:38:25Z

Azuredu: /* Bill of Materials */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-15T10:37:03Z

Azuredu: /* Bill of Materials */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>8</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-15T10:33:48Z

Azuredu: /* Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
:Where?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 09:04, 15 March 2009 (UTC)
::Sorry: I didn't know how to insert links. [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/diy-en.pdf manual making of parabolic trough] [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 10:33, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

:: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented) mylar], but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, [Absolicon.com Absolicon.com] is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited. Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

User:Azuredu

2009-03-13T19:57:03Z

Azuredu: Created page with 'Real name: Gang Xiao Occupation: University professor Location: Nice, France'

Real name: Gang Xiao
Occupation: University professor
Location: Nice, France

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-13T19:56:14Z

Azuredu: /* What about sealing of corners? */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough. [[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:56, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly mylar, but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, Absolicon.com is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited.
Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-13T19:55:48Z

Azuredu: /* What about sealing of corners? */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==

-- Don't seal. The design takes care that direct rain water won't get in. For cleaning water jets, some kind of protection with sponge foam will be enough.

==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly mylar, but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, Absolicon.com is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited.
Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-13T19:52:32Z

Azuredu: /* What about reflective coating? */

=Introduction=

Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a [http://wims.unice.fr/xiao/solar/index.html low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator], applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.

[[Factor e Farm]] is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m<sup>2</sup> of collector. The costs are in dollars.

<table border=2>
<tr><th>Use<th>Material<th>Specification<th>Quantity<th>Cost

<tr><td>Cover<td>tempered glass<td>5mm
<td>1.05m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m<sup>2</sup><td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel<br>
bars and angles<td>width around 15mm<td>~15m<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Bearings<td>metal tubes<td>φ40mm×20mm
<td>2<td>2</td></tr>

<tr><td>Support<td>Plastic pieces<td>to be moulded
<td>2<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Photodetector<td>photoresistors+case<td>-
<td>1<td>2?</td></tr>

<tr><td>Controller + gear<td>commercially available<td>-
<td>1<td>10-30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Receiver<td>metal tube<td>configurable
<td>~1.2m<td>~5</td></tr>

<tr><td>Chassis<td>square steel tubes<td>30mm
<td>~3m<td>5?</td></tr>

</table>
===Questions:===
==Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?==
--- Roughly, half-half.
==Can the support pieces be printed with [[RepRap]] if we have access to it? ==
--- Yes.
==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?==
--That will come.

==Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==
--- See my DIY document.
==One axis controller, and what about the control motor? ==
Show the angle tilt mechanism.
==Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? ==
--- These are interchangeable.
==What about sealing of corners?==
==What about reflective coating?==
--- Mylar film.
: Any evidence or other examples of mylar being used for parabolics for solar concentrators?--[[User:Dennis|Dennis]] 15:12, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

: The best example is car headlights. This is not exactly mylar, but the technology is the same: a metal reflective coating protected by a plastic sheet cover. Otherwise, Absolicon.com is selling troughs using silver-coted mylar mirrors, but the commercialization is still very limited.
Here the point is that mylar must be protected from humidity, rain water and dust (or more exactly cleaning scratch).[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 19:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

==What about couplers for collector tube and inter-collector connection for stringing multiple collectors? ==
--- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
==What about stand and base? ==
--- Rather free design.

[[Image:paraboliccollector.jpg|thumb]]

=Fabrication Procedure=

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-13T19:51:01Z

Azuredu: /* What about reflective coating? */

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-12T10:58:02Z

Azuredu: /* Bill of Materials */

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-12T10:56:53Z

Azuredu: /* Bill of Materials */

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-06T07:06:26Z

Azuredu: /* Bill of Materials */

Steam Engine Construction Set

2009-02-27T11:43:45Z

Azuredu: /* Typical Engines */

=Introduction=

Steam engines are a robust energy source which played a main role in the industrial devolution, and may now be a viable candidate as an engine of the post-industrial revolution. [http://tinytechindia.com/steamengine.htm Tinytech] in India manufactures steam engines for various industrial swadeshi applications, primarily in India. We believe that steam engines, coupled to flash steam generators, are also relevant as an appropriate technology choice in the 'developed' world. As such, we are proposing an open source steam engine project, to deliver an appropriate technology, modern steam engine:
*Open design
*Scalable in power from 5 to 100 horsepower
*May utilize electronic valving for mechanical simplification
*May be coupled direcly to linear hydraulic pump - feasibility study required
In particular, Factor e Farm is interested in utilizing these steam engines in the LifeTrac line of tractors, cars, and solar turbine electrical generators.

=Design=
[[Link title]]==Engine==
==Engine Valve Design==

There are three common styles of conventional valves in steam engines they are the slide valve, piston slide valve, and cam actuated poppet valve.
[[Image:Slide_Valve_Without_Valve_Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Piston_Slide_valve.jpg]]
[[Image:Poppet_Valve_Construction.JPG]]

Each of these has their own advantages and disadvangteous often depending on steam conditions and desired durability. Please consult an engineering manual such as this http://books.google.com/books?id=NsNCAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=valves+and+valve+gears&as_brr=1 for a detailed discussion of this.

For the simple valves shown above it is not possible to vary the steam cutoff ratio during operation. This usually detrimentally impacts efficiency as one has to set the cutoff ratio higher than needed to keep the engine from stalling during load variation. For this reason a multitude of valve gears were developed for the three basic types of valve designs. The valve gears allow for the adjustment of the cutoff ratio during operation.

Slide Valve and Piston Slide Valve Valve Gears
[[Image:Stephenson Valve gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Marshall Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Stevens Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Joy Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Hackworth Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Gooch Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Fink Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Baker Gear.JPG]]
[[Image:Allen gear.JPG]]

Poppet Valve Valve Gears

[[Image:Sulzer Gear (poppet).JPG]]
[[Image:Lentz Gear (poppet).JPG]]
[[Image:Skinner Universal Unaflow (Double acting Poppet).JPG]]
[[Image:Walschaert Gear.JPG]]

===Typical Engines===

Typical steam engine cylinders are made from cast iron. (What is the best metal to use for a steam engine?) Given that water is the working fluid, lubrication is required in the cylinder. (Is there any way to prevent corrosion otherwise?)

*Cylinder - cylinder is made from cast iron.
**To cast this cylinder from scrap iron, use a (how many?) pound melt, and use a simple melting furnace such as (here?)

The simplest way to cast a cylinder

[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]] 03:43, 27 February 2009 (PST) Suggestion. To start with, why not try to adapt a recovered moto engine.

===Green Steam Engine===

An alternative engine design that may be worthy of further evaluation can be found [http://www.greensteamengine.com/index.html] here. It looks as though o-rings are used in place of traditional tight tolerance cast iron cylinder boring. Presumably this method is only good for low pressure and temperature steam. The linkage and valve system is highly innovated and would require no precision machining.

*Discussion of the Green steam engine:http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/green-steam-energy/ It does indeed seem that the o-ring method of sealing is incapable of handling high steam temps and pressures and the design is therefore inherently inefficient.

*Marcin says: I looked at this in detail 2 years ago, and purchased plans. When I asked for references of people who built this engine, the inventor did not provide me with any. I became suspicious about the effectiveness of the engine. Since then, I've heard reports from several sources that longevity and performance are questionable. In summary, if this worked as stated, we would see a large number of implementations on the internet. Since these are not to be seen, it does not appear to be a promising design.

==Boiler==
A simple boiler implementation involves a [[Babington_Burner]] heating the inside of a 6 inch metal pipe of 1/8" wall thickness. A 100 foot long coil of 1/2 inch steel tubing is placed inside this coil, and an electronically-controlled [[Valve delivery system]] (note: in steam engine case, the 'solar boiler' in last link is replaced by the above 100-foot coil of steel tubing.
[[Category:Research Projects]]
===Materials===
*Stainless steel tubing at McMaster Carr, $130 for 100 feet of 1/2" tubing - type 304 stainless - item number 8989K67 at http://mcmaster.com
*200 psi pressure relief valve http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/guideBrowse.shtml $60.80.

Boiler Fuel:
For transportation vehicles some biomass fuel energy densification is required. Pyrolisis fuels without elaborate processing look prmoising here is a brief summary of some methods http://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/Program/307/biomasstoDiesel/RobertBrown&JenniferHolmgrenpresentationslides.pdf
http://www.biomasscombustion.com/horizontal_grate_technology.htm

Stationary applications can probably get by with a simple style grate biomass boiler. http://www.biomasscombustion.com/horizontal_grate_technology.htm

=Design Evolution=
*Initial design, 1.8.09 -

[[Image:Steam Engine Concept.jpeg]]

[[Image:Crankshaft eccentric.jpeg]]

3D Initial Model 1/19/09
[[Image:Crank_Assembly_2.jpeg]]

==Bill Of Materials To Date==

QTY Description Price Location
*1 Cylinder 38.03 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/45.htm]
*1 Piston 3" x 5/8" Cold rolled Steel 9.97 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/13.htm]
*1 Shaft 1" 13.01 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/13.htm]
*2 Plate 1/2"x6"x6" 17.71 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/4.htm]
*1 Flywheel 8"x2.5" Cold Rolled Steel 74.3 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/13.htm]
*1 Eccentric 4.5" x .5" Cold rolled 13.95 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/13.htm]
*2 .5" Dia Pin 1.75" Long 6.29 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/13.htm]
*1 Lower Connecting rod 5/8"x1"x6" 9.91 [http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.itemDisplay/itemID/11.htm]
*4 3/4"x1.5' Threaded Rod 14.64 [http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2GRR4?cm_mmc=Google%20Base-_-Fasteners-_-Bolts-_-2GRR4]
Baseplate TBD
Stuffing Box TBD
*1 6' Sch 80 Steam Pipe 43.7 [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NPLLW2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&m=AH1JDG368QYFS]

'''TOTAL 241.51'''

Alternatively Cast Iron Cylinder Material can be found http://www.mcmaster.com/#8929k18/=gnvh3 for 41.47 per cylinder

=Example of Fully Integrated Steam Energy System=
[[Image:Integrated_Energy_System.jpeg]]

Description of this system by author and excellent background info on homepower steam http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/JF_OTHER/BIG/Reciprocating%20Steam%20Engine.pdf

Apparently Skip Goebel thinks similar to me about electronically controlled steam engines taken from http://www.mail-archive.com/sustainablelorgbiofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg01818.html

=Using Solenoid Valves for Steam Engine in Place of Mechanical Valving=

Fwd from [http://www.sensiblesteamperu.com/index_archivos/Page581.htm] - a steam engine producer, which says that 'The biggest news for steam is electric valves' - see [[Electric Valves for Steam Engine]]

Electronic Solenoid Valve Info: http://www.gwlisk.com/tech_info.html

=Tooling Requirements=

==Metal Casting==
*see [[Foundry]] for more details

Waste vegetable oil furnace design
http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/oilburners03.html
[[Foundry.pdf]]
[[Pattern_Making.pdf]]

www.budgetcastingsupply.com
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/furnace/furnace.html
www.creativecastingco.com
www.host33.com/casting
www.backyardmetalcasting.com
www.emainc.com/radnor/sand.htm
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~dw120996/..._of_metals.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

==Lathe==
**Romig bed lathe type - from Multimachine - [[Image:Romig.jpg]]
**Simple prototype, $486 in materials BOM:
***2 bearings, $50
***2 mouning plates, 1/2"x6" angle - $40
***4 Shaft Collars - $20
***2" shaft - $20
***DOM tubing, 3", 2" ID - $15
***8 3/4" bolts for table - $16
***Chuck plate - $40
***Bolts for chuck - $20
***Nuts and bolts for DOM - $5
***XY table - $70 off shelf at Enco - [http://www.cartertools.com/newjose3.html]
*** Tool post - $10
***table plate - $30
***2 bags of cement, 80 lb each - $20
***sand, gravel - $10
***'''TOTAL - $316'''
**High performance, 2/1000" accuracy with proper technique, stock parts, 1000 lb radial and 200 lb axial load capacity

==Flash Steam Generator==

**Coil bending jig - $400
**Stainless steel coil, 150 feet - $200
**Babington fittings and metal - $100
**Dremel tool - $40
**Dremel micro drill press - $40

==Electrical Generator==

=Open Source Steam=

Steam power is not taught in general. For mastering this topic, we need a Steam Power Reading List.
*I have some of this material from Tom Kimmel, of [http://www.kimmelsteampower.com/ Kimmel Steam Power]
*Mike Brown offers a reading list [http://www.mikebrownsolutions.com/order.htm here]

=Letters and Communications=

Letter to VK Desai of Tinytech Plants -

Dear VK,

Can you share your knowledge of steam power with us?

In order to make our solar turbine a success, we need to build the steam engine at low cost - in house. If I do my own labor, use our machine shop, and use casting in house, then the price for the engine parts should be about $150 for a 3 hp engine. Do you think that is realistic?

Please share with me your basic design. Simple drawings on the back of an envelope would do. I am smart at studying design. Please just give me the essentials and material specifications.

Please respond, or put your notes up directly at:

http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Steam_Engine_Construction_Set

If you have any pictures of steam engines in fabrication, please share.

Sincerely,

Marcin

Response from Mike Brown Steam engines

Nick,

Skip Goebel is in Peru, do you have the DVD he did on building a prototype boiler?

I doubt if your solenoid valve will last six months on a steam engine.

Sorry, we don't get involved in other people's engineering projects (we average two emails like yours a day).

Best wishes,
Mike

nick raaum wrote:
Mr. Brown,
I have been working lately on developing a simple horizontal uniflow steam of 3" x3.5" bore and stroke that is controlled by an electronic solenoid valve and a small programmabale logic controller. My full intention is to power this engine with a gasifier monotube style boiler and utilize the exhaust in a 750 gallon thermal storage tank for home heating purposes. In my research in this project I found reference to Skip Goebel's work through your site.

that Skip Goebel may already be building a boiler of similar design, if possible could you give me his contact info? I would also be interested to know if you have given any thought to developing an electronically valved steam engine? I intend to try an asco 1/2" direct acting steam valve that claims to cycle at 800cycles/min for a million plus cycles. I intend to run my engine at 100rpm which in theory may give my controll of the cutoff ratio in increments of .25. This obviously will not be efficient but I want to try the concept first. Perhaps you know more about what this actually would take? In any case I do appreciate your time to read this email and I hope you keep up the good work in small scale steam power development.

Sincerely,
Nick Raaum

seek out mike brown steam engins on google

Skip Goebel
Sensible Steam Peru s.a.c.
Lima, Peru
Lima 51 996 984 741
US· 559 922 2410
www.sensiblesteamperu.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: nick raaum <raaumn@hotmail.com>
To: info@sensiblesteamperu.com
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:22:16 AM
Subject: Wood Fired Monotube Boiler

I came across your site in studying the works of Skip Goebel in home powered steam systems. I intend to build a 3kW cogeneration DC system for home and experimental use. All my research leads me to conclude that Mr. Goebel may have pioneered this idea the furthest and I would be interested in purchasing any information that he has made available on the subject.

I'm not unfamilar with steam, I worked 2 years as Mechanical Engineer at a 400MW coal fired power plant, but am now envisioning working on something a little more decentralized. In any case I strongly feel the case for more self sufficient energy systems is here and given the fuel flexibility and reliability of the steam engine I wish to pursue this idea further. My plan is to construct a simple monotube fired 3kW mechanical valve steam engine to charge my DC battery bank and thermal storage tank. After I am comfortable with this design I would like to investigate the potential improvements of using a low cost programable logic controller for boiler control. Additonaly I am looking for a a high speed durable solenoid valve and the right steam valve to investigate the possibility of electronically conrtolling steam into the engine.

Right now I am thinking that I could use a control loop to continously vary the cutoff ratio of the steam engine for my governor. This would optimize efficiency by running with the lowest allowable cutoff ratio. In any case it seems at least feasible to think that in the future steam engines efficiencies can be improved by better steam control which is one more reason that this technology attracts me. So if Sensible Steam has any information avaialable by Skip Goebel on steam engine system construction and experiences with it I would be very eager to hear more about it how to get it.

Sincerely,
Nick Raaum

Letter to Valve manufacturer;
We do not have any valves capable of handling 600F steam.

Alan Nelson

Fluid Process Control Corporation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: nick raaum [mailto:raaumn@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 12:30 PM
To: Alan Nelson
Subject: Atkomatic Solenoid Valve Response Times

Alan,
I am looking at your atkomatic line of solenoid valves and would like to know if you offer anything suitable for the a 2-way continous duty pulse cycle valve for saturated steam up to 600 deg. The valve also needs to have a very fast response time of 75ms for open and 75 ms for close. Is there anything in the atkomatic line that might fulfill that response time requirement? If not do you know what other type of valve I might try looking at for that desired response time? Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Nick Raaum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail. Check it out.

=Development Team=
*Nick Raaum - Project Manager. He works at a coal power plant, but his visions are different.

[[Image:nick.jpg]]

*Marcin Jakubowski
[[Image:marcin_sm.jpg]]

[[Category:Solar_Turbine]]

=Links=

*Biomass CHP with steam engine - [http://www.pritchardpower.com.au/]
*60% vapor cycle efficiency in steam engine power plant? - [[http://www.lesa-maschinen.de/cms/index.php?page=technologie&hl=en_EN]]

*$300/hp steam engines in production, Peru - [http://www.sensiblesteamperu.com/index_archivos/Page581.htm]

Steam Engine History:

*http://www.egr.msu.edu/~lira/supp/steam/
*A History of the Growth of the Steam Engine: [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=YiNMAAAAMAAJ&dq=steam+engine&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=upjyQA2XIn&sig=gBtrUy-6kRF-HaMr8T2FXppi4KY&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result]
*A Catechism of the Steam Engine:[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10998]

Steam Engine Primers/Groups:

*http://www.pioneer.net/~carlich/RSE/RSEprimer.html
*http://www.the-nerds.org/Steam-101.html
*Promising forum with large library of working steam engine plans: http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/

Engine Plans/Products:

*http://www.pioneer.net/~carlich/RSE/RSEengines.html
*http://www.nearfutures.com/products.htm
*http://www.greensteamengine.com/products.htm
*Triple Expansion Steam Engine Prints: http://www.carferries.com/triple/
*Lindsey Publications:http://www.lindsaybks.com/prod/sub/engines.html
*http://www.grahamind.com/
*http://quasiturbine.promci.qc.ca/Presse/SteamMuller050721.pdf
*These guys claim 30% efficiency on their non compunding multi cylinder steam engine http://www.energiprojekt.com/?product
*'''3kW steam engine for $1375''': http://www.thesustainablevillage.com/servlet/display/products/byCat/71/441/2557/
*Lots of Plans: http://www.john-tom.com/html/SteamPlans.html
*A nice simple double engine plan: http://openfarmtech.org/images/e/e0/MichelNiggelTwin.pdf

Misc:

*Vegetable Oil Based Lubricant:http://www.steamenginelube.com/chelesic.htm
*Homebrew Steam Engine Generator:http://www.otherpower.com/steamengine.shtml
*Steam Engine Manuf. Links: http://cedesign.net/steam/steam-links1.htm
*Oil Free Steam Engine Design for Vehicles: http://six6.region-stuttgart.de/sixcms/media.php/773/23_Platell_P.pdf
*Flash Steam Engine, Could this be advantageous http://www.huzar-power.com/steam_engines/revival/flash_steam.htm

Nick R. says, what are the limits to lathe boring diameters in cast iron? This [http://www.john-tom.com/MyPlans/Steam%20Engines/MarineEngine.pdf] method of construction looks simple and attractive if it could be scaled up enough?

[[Category:Solar_Turbine]]

Solar Combined Heat Power System

2009-02-20T14:39:13Z

Azuredu: /* Deliverables and Product Specifications */

{{Site header}}

----
Solar Turbine CHP - this is the holy grail of the future world. Forget about expensive solar cells, nukes, coal, or hydro - utilize the heat of the sun directly, with solar concentrators running a power cycle that has been proven in geothermal plants. One key is to develop an efficient turbine. We have access to a 4 kW boundary layer turbine for this purpose, and are presently adopting it for operation on solar steam. Conceptually - the problem is simple - capturing the energy of an expanding gas in a rotor, to convert the energy to electricity. A solar turbine is a tractable problem, and deserves full attention. With 1 kW of insolation from every square meter on earth, such a proposition must be considered seriously. This includes possibilities of thermal storage when the sun does not shine - just do the basic feasibility calculations and convince yourself that this is possible - even for extended periods beyond 12 hour nights. Check out the http://www.shpegs.com/ open source project for further background on a large scale implementation. Note that technical drawings exist for a 50% efficient solar turbine - look for the C. Christopher Newton thesis at http://www.redrok.com/engine.htm#turbine - but fabrication costs need to be proven on such project. All in all, backup power - such as electricity derived from biofuel combustion in an engine - could be used - but it is more interesting to utilize a backup stove that can produce the necessary heat for the turbine cycle. This is especially useful in conjunction with space and greenhouse heating in the winter. Moreover, MIT's Fab Lab has done work in optimizing diesel engines produced by Vigyan Ashram in India (http://cba.mit.edu/projects/fablab/apps.html) - and these may be available for opensourcing. If so, it may be reasonable to produce diesel engines locally at OSE for backup power, and optimizing them for waste vegetable oil operation. Price predictions are $2-4k per balance of system kilowatt.

=Collaboration=
==Review of Project Status==

We have chosen the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_layer boundary layer turbine] (such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_turbine Tesla Turbine]) as the working turbine choice, since we identified a working prototype from [http://proto.dangyro.com/ Granett Engineering].
*9.07 - preparing technical drawings and materials for second prototype of the Granett turbine

==Current Work==
==Developments Needed==
===General===
===Specific===
====Background Debriefing====
====Information Work====
====Hardware Work====
==Sign-in==
=Development Work Template=
==Product Definition==
===General===
===General Scope ===
===Product Ecology ===
====Localization ====
====Scaleability ====
Scaleability is most crucial in this project. We are pursuing a design with a focus on how scale can be achieved with minimal modifications. As such, the system is designed for stand-alone remote power applications (under 1 kW) to home (1 kW) and village (100 kW) scales. If the the BLT is used with other fuel sources, this is prime for mobile applications - vehicles and all devices which require hybrid power drive.

==== Analysis of Scale ====
==== Lifecycle Analysis ====
=== Enterprise Options ===
=== Development Approach ===
====Timeline====
==== Development Budget ====
=====Value Spent =====
===== Value available =====
===== Value needed =====
=== Deliverables and Product Specifications ===

The Solar Turbine CHP system product package revolves around, (1), a turnkey, scaleable, robust, year-round, solar turbine electricity production system, and, (2), a flexible fabrication infrastructure for the same. Product specifications, in the simplest implementation, are:

*1 kW electrical output , 6 hours per day average in a sunny climate
*Solar concentrator collectors with water as the working fluid - proven technology
*8 disk boundary layer turbine as the heat engine - proven technology
*Open source electrical generator - covered in [[Electric Motors/Generators]]
*Recirculating water system
*$950/kW material cost for electrical generation, using off-shelf materials
**128 square foot collector system, 4 panels of 4x8 feet -theoretically good for 4 kW electrical generation - $432
***Glazing - $32/ panel at Menards
***Glazing angle supports: $40
***Structure - 40 feet of 1 1/4" x 1/8" square tubing 90 cents/foot - $36
**Collector - $76
***Tube - 1x6 inch rectangular tube, 1/8" wall -$40
***Insulation - $20
***Glazing -$16
**Turbine $290
***Stainless steel - 10 square feet, .12" thick = $100 in used form
***Shaft - $20
***Bearings - $20
***Hydrodynamic seals - $100
***Casing - $20
***Nozzle - $20
***Bolts - $10
**Generator - $150

Theoretical efficiency: 34%
*Solar collectors - 4% reflection loss from glass, 4% reflection loss for transmission through glass collector enclosure, 10% heat transfer loss to working medium., 20% radiative heat loss, 20% conductive heat loss from working fluid - 58% loss total before reaching turbine
*Turbine - 90% efficient
*Electrical generator 90% efficient
*Overall - .42*.9*.9= .34 efficiency

See the talk page for discussions.

Thermal insolation: 1kW/m^2

All components are based on flexible fabrication open source design

Options:

*Open source grid intertie inverter - see [[Inverters & Grid Intertie]]

Also, the solar collectors, turbine, and electrical generator are completely scaleable via modularity, such that system power may be from from 1 to 100 kW

Flexible Fabrication infrastructure:
*XY torch table - $200 in structural materials, 2 screw drives with 2 motors, open source controller
**Competitive analysis - [http://www.torchmate.com/index.htm Torchmate]
*CO2 or YAG laser, 200W
*Drill and milling machine

=== Industry Standards ===
=== Market and Market Segmentation ===
=== Salient Features and Keys to Success ===
==Technical Design ==
http://www.green-trust.org/junkyardprojects/FreeIC&ECEngines/ModelSteamTurbineDesign.pdf
http://www.green-trust.org/junkyardprojects/FreeIC&ECEngines/ModelSteamTurbineDesign.pdf
=== Product System Design ===
==== Diagrams and Conceptual Drawings ====
===== Pattern Language Icons =====
===== Structural Diagram =====
===== Funcional or Process Diagram =====
===== Workflow =====
==== Technical Issues ====
==== Deployment Strategy ====
==== Performance specifications ====
==== Calculations ====
===== Design Calculations =====
===== Yields =====
===== Rates =====
===== Structural Calculations =====
===== Power Requirements =====
===== Ergonomics of Production =====
===== Time Requirements =====
===== Economic Breakeven Analysis =====
===== Scaleability Calculations =====
===== Growth Calculations =====
==== Technical Drawings and CAD ====
==== CAM Files ====
===Component Design - Boundary Layer Turbine (BLT)===
The Boundary Layer Turbine is based on a prototype from collaborator Dan Granett of [http://proto.dangyro.com/ Granett Engineering]. The 12 inch diameter turbine produced 4 kW of electric power in test runs, at a cost of $500 in materials plus fabrication costs.

==== Diagrams ====

*Overview of turbine, generator coupling, turbine disks, nozzles, testing, balancing:
[[Image:turbine_overview.jpg]]
*Technical drawing of turbine disks:
[[Image:turbine_disks.jpg]]
*Conceptual diagram of turbine seals, 16 total in prototype (4 kW output '''without''' proper seals)
[[Image:turbine_seals.jpg]]
*Turbine case and fabrication diagrams:
[[Image:turbine_case.jpg]]
*The disks were made of .059" thickness material. The spacers were .032".
[[Image:spacers.jpg]]
*The shaft:
[[Image:shaft.jpg]]
*Notes on correcting shaft, spacer, and disk alignment, as there is a discrepancy in the above diagrams:
**change the center hole radius to .625" on the disk and the spacer, that will bring the holes into line with the shaft
**there should be 3 shaft key slots instead of 2.
**change the shaft slots to 1/4" x 1/8"

==== Research Literature ====

Background theory:

*Experimental Investigation of the Flow Between Corotating Disks - R.Adams, W.Rice Transactions of the ASME p.844 Sept 1970
*Laminar Throughflow of a Fluid Containing Particles Between Corotating Disks - Truman, Rice, Jankowski Journal of Fluids Engineering vol.101 p.87 Mar. '79
*Laminar Throughflow of Varying-Quality Steam Between Corotating Disks - Truman, Rice, Jankowski Transactions of the ASME p. 194 vol.100 June '78

Look at the [http://openfarmtech.org/images/5/59/Blt_papers.jpg cover page of these papers]

*Numerical Simulation of the Flow Field in a Friction-Type Turbine (Tesla Turbine) - A.Ladino - School of Engineering National University of Colombia, Institute of Thermal Powerplants Vienna University of Tecnology - 2004.
Look at the [http://www.zid.tuwien.ac.at/projekte/2004/04-302-3.pdf Numerical Simulation (Tesla Turbine - 1913)]

==== Performance specifications ====
==== Performance calculations ====
==== Technical drawings and CAD ====
==== CAM files whenever available ====

=== Subcomponents ===

==Deployment and Results ==
=== Production steps ===
=== Flexible Fabrication or Production ===
=== Bill of materials ===
=== Pictures and Video ===
=== Data ===
==Documentation and Education ==
=== Documentation ===
=== Enterprise Plans ===
==Resource Development ===
=== Identifying Stakeholders ===
==== Information Collaboration ====
===== Wiki Markup =====
===== Addition of Supporting References =====
===== Production of diagrams, flowcharts, 3D computer models, and other qualitative information architecture =====
===== Technical Calculations, Drawings, CAD, CAM, other =====
==== Prototyping ====
==== Funding ====
==== Preordering working products ====
==== Grantwriting ====
==== Publicity ====
==== User/Fabricator Training and Accreditation ====
==== Standards and Certification Developmen ====
==== Other ====
=== Grantwriting ===
==== Volunteer grantwriters ====
==== Professional, Outcome-Based Grantwriters ====
=== Collaborative Stakeholder Funding ===
=== Tool and Material Donations ===
=== Charitable Contributions ===

[[Category:Solar_Turbine]]

Talk:Solar Combined Heat Power System

2009-02-20T14:37:50Z

Azuredu:

The efficiency computation is completely wrong!

Claiming 90% turbine efficiency will completely discredit the project in the eyes of experts. What about Carnot efficiency? What is the working temperature?

From real engineering computations and what I know about Tesla turbines, you will be happy if you can get 10% heat-to-mechanical work efficiency. Anyway, don't expect much more than that for small installations.

For a prototype, I will give you all the quality credit if you can get 5% global heat-to-electricity efficiency.

Also, the collector efficiency estimation is too optimistic. There are also mirror reflectivity loss (15%), interception factor loss (depending on the optical precision), endloss (depending on geometry and orientation), cosine loss (depending on orientation and location). You will get bad surprises when you realise the project!

[[User:Azuredu|Azuredu]]

Talk:Solar Combined Heat Power System

2009-02-20T11:51:49Z

Azuredu: The efficiency of 34% is highly exaggerated