File:Nick Raaum Resume.odt

2012-05-16T23:13:27Z

Nickr:

Category talk:Open Source Permaculture

2011-12-08T02:04:41Z

Nickr: Open Source Perennial Agriculture

Perennial agriculture needs to be the backbone of any deeply resilient sustainable form of agriculture. Unfortunately though most of the genetic development has been done on annual grains as the agriculutural backbone, and we need to change this quickly.
Perhaps the best way to go about rapidly honing in perennial food production systems is through a coordinated open source/bit torrent approach. How does this look in practice? Here are some initial ideas I have.

-OSE regional nodes that serve as genetic centers.
-Working knowledge of best ways to propagate perennials in forms existing at hubs, with knowledge propagated via videos and wiki.
-Breeding protocol to develop new higher producing, better tasting, more resistant ect. in parallel.
-Wild or fallow land protocol in conjunction with smart phone gps app to track location and results of plantings.

This sort of approach can be done on almost any potential perennial, and it should be done on many as we need to farm and develop an ecosystems natural capabilities, rather than destroy it with chemical monocropping. Just like OSE GVCS we need to limit our focus though on what crops are developed and maintained first in the gene pool, until a sufficient number of people are around to handle great numbers of diversity.

American hazelnuts and Hybrid Chestnuts are two perennials I think that the Midwest and Eastern parts of the USA would do well to first focus on developing. They both have good production/acre development capabilities, and excellent nutrition profiles. Additionally they could act as direct corn and soybean replacement since they are similar in respective fat, carbohydrate, and protein profiles.

There is currently a developed open breeding protocol for hybrid hazelnuts http://midwesthazelnuts.org/about-hip.html, this is unique program since tthey basically started with a wild stock a short period ago. There are many private nurseries grooing and breeding Hybrid Chestnuts on there own, but no open program in existence.

With regards to hazel processing, on a large scale it is successfully developed in europe and a few large processors in the USA. On a small scale I know of designs available for open use for huskers, shellers, sorters, and separators.

Internet Contractors

2009-04-15T14:11:38Z

Nickr: Created page with 'www.elance.com This site has an engineering and manufacturing section with hundreds of individual contractors available to solicit project bids from. Excellent place to start on...'

www.elance.com This site has an engineering and manufacturing section with hundreds of individual contractors available to solicit project bids from. Excellent place to start on the open bidding process.

CEB Heat

2009-04-14T20:15:36Z

Nickr: Created page with 'To utilize the large solar mass of a CEB wall this utlra low cost solar capture method can be used on south walls. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/nicksthrombe....'

To utilize the large solar mass of a CEB wall this utlra low cost solar capture method can be used on south walls. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/nicksthrombe.htm

Parabolic Trough Prototype

2009-03-25T16:23:36Z

Nickr: /* 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.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m2 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>1.05m2<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m2<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m2<td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel 
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

2009-03-25T16:21:16Z

Nickr: /* 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.

=Concept=

=Bill of Materials=

Estimation of the material cost for 1m2 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>1.05m2<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Back and ends<td>steel sheet<td>0.5mm
<td>1.6m2<td>?
</td></tr>

<tr><td>Mirror<td>adhesive mirror film
<td>-<td>1.6m2<td>12</td></tr>

<tr><td>Structural pieces<td>stainless steel 
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]]

Interlocking bricks

2009-03-21T15:55:59Z

Nickr: Created page with 'Interlocking compressed earth brick building is an idea gaining rapid popularity in India and Africa. Stabilization and waterproofing is accomplished through mixing of mortar at...'

Interlocking compressed earth brick building is an idea gaining rapid popularity in India and Africa. Stabilization and waterproofing is accomplished through mixing of mortar at a rate of approx. 1 bag per 150 6"x6"x12" bricks. Buidling walls as as simle as assembling legos.

http://www.sibinterlockingblock.com/index.html
http://www.hydraformasia.com/machines.asp
http://www.locosthousing.com/products/index.htm
http://www.rippleafrica.org/images/brick%20making.htm
http://www.basin.info/gate/interlocking.htm#Disadvantages
http://brickproject.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Interlocking-Soil-brick/30267865233
http://georgeengineeringindustries.com/prod.php?id=105
http://www.novaind.net/products.asp
http://terrablockinterlock.com/New1/

Pyrolysis Oil

2009-03-18T23:10:12Z

Nickr: /* Prototype 00 Simple Drawing(s) */

=Pyrolysis Oil=
Please use the discussion page/tab if you are offering ideas or comments (Moved Elliot's ideas to discussion page)
==Experimental Prototypes==
Please use the template below if you wish to create and publish your results.
==Experimental Prototype 00 by Your Monicker==
===Prototype 00 Simple Drawing(s)===

[[Image:Multiple Hearth Reactor.gif]] Multiple Hearth Reactor

[[Image:Entrained Flow Reactor.gif]] ‎ Entrained Flow Reactor

[[Image:Circulating Fluid Bed Reactor.gif]] ‎ Circulating Fluid Bed Reactor

[[Image:Vortex Reactor.gif]] Vortex Reactor

===Prototype 00 Parts List===
===Prototype 00 Assembly Journal===
===Prototype 00 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 00 Preliminary Test Runs Journal===
===Prototype 00 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 00 Final Conclusions===

==Experimental Prototype 01 by Negligiblek==
Inital Prototype Goals:
*Use convection as much as possible to deliver heat to burn chamber
*Use one gas loop out of burn chamber as fuel to continue heating burn chamber
*Attempt coil around water loop in first cooling stage and second cooling stage
*Attempt simple condensation in later cooling stages
*Identify equipment usage and maintenance issues
===Prototype 01 Simple Drawing(s)===
===Prototype 01 Parts List===
This parts list will become more specific and evolve overtime.
*MAPP gas and torch for test run heat source
*Flash back valve
*Pressure release valves
*Unidirectional valves
*Burn Nozzle with 1/4' turn valve
*Burn chamber
*Cooling water reservoir
*Piping for gases and water
*Condensation Chamber
===Prototype 01 Assembly Journal===
===Prototype 01 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 01 Preliminary Test Runs Journal===
===Prototype 01 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 01 Final Conclusions===

==Producion Units==
Once your prototype has proven viable and has been approved for the Open Source Global Village use, the next step is to create your production unit.

Remembering the production unit will be integrated into the Open Source Global Village, you will need to check where in the village the unit will be located so that your overall design is a best fit.

Since, at this time the actual layout of a Open Source Global Village is still evolving, make your design fit a single dwelling and also fit a centralized energy station in village of 30 people. Yes, this is vague, so the more flexible your design is the more it will be considered OSGV fit.

[[Category:Pyrolysis Oil]]

Pyrolysis Oil

2009-03-18T23:09:00Z

Nickr:

=Pyrolysis Oil=
Please use the discussion page/tab if you are offering ideas or comments (Moved Elliot's ideas to discussion page)
==Experimental Prototypes==
Please use the template below if you wish to create and publish your results.
==Experimental Prototype 00 by Your Monicker==
===Prototype 00 Simple Drawing(s)===

[[Image:Multiple Hearth Reactor.gif]]
[[Image:Entrained Flow Reactor.gif]] ‎
[[Image:Circulating Fluid Bed Reactor.gif]] ‎
[[Image:Vortex Reactor.gif]]

===Prototype 00 Parts List===
===Prototype 00 Assembly Journal===
===Prototype 00 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 00 Preliminary Test Runs Journal===
===Prototype 00 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 00 Final Conclusions===

==Experimental Prototype 01 by Negligiblek==
Inital Prototype Goals:
*Use convection as much as possible to deliver heat to burn chamber
*Use one gas loop out of burn chamber as fuel to continue heating burn chamber
*Attempt coil around water loop in first cooling stage and second cooling stage
*Attempt simple condensation in later cooling stages
*Identify equipment usage and maintenance issues
===Prototype 01 Simple Drawing(s)===
===Prototype 01 Parts List===
This parts list will become more specific and evolve overtime.
*MAPP gas and torch for test run heat source
*Flash back valve
*Pressure release valves
*Unidirectional valves
*Burn Nozzle with 1/4' turn valve
*Burn chamber
*Cooling water reservoir
*Piping for gases and water
*Condensation Chamber
===Prototype 01 Assembly Journal===
===Prototype 01 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 01 Preliminary Test Runs Journal===
===Prototype 01 Modifications Journal===
===Prototype 01 Final Conclusions===

==Producion Units==
Once your prototype has proven viable and has been approved for the Open Source Global Village use, the next step is to create your production unit.

Remembering the production unit will be integrated into the Open Source Global Village, you will need to check where in the village the unit will be located so that your overall design is a best fit.

Since, at this time the actual layout of a Open Source Global Village is still evolving, make your design fit a single dwelling and also fit a centralized energy station in village of 30 people. Yes, this is vague, so the more flexible your design is the more it will be considered OSGV fit.

[[Category:Pyrolysis Oil]]

File:Multiple Hearth Reactor.gif

2009-03-18T23:06:30Z

Nickr:

File:Entrained Flow Reactor.gif

2009-03-18T23:06:12Z

Nickr:

File:Circulating Fluid Bed Reactor.gif

2009-03-18T23:05:49Z

Nickr:

2009-02-27T18:02:58Z

Nickr: New page: This company is one of the only commercial ready biomass pyrolysis oil producing companies out there, they claim yields up to 75% oil by weight. The use a sand tornado as a thermal storag...

Paulownia tree

2009-02-27T16:48:13Z

Nickr: New page: These trees are extremely fast growing and thrive in high heat environments. They could be a potentially profitable crop for biofuels, carbon root sequestration, and soil cleanup. http:/...

These trees are extremely fast growing and thrive in high heat environments. They could be a potentially profitable crop for biofuels, carbon root sequestration, and soil cleanup.

http://www.paulowniasupply.com/index.htm

Open Source Photovoltaics

2009-02-22T14:42:28Z

Nickr:

Open source PV, from Nanosolar:

wartena@gmail

A plan to use synergistic energy capture in PV scheme to continually reproduce PV panels while providing all electrical power needed. Energy produced by PV panels goes towards electrolysis, the H2 and O2 gases produced cool the PV panel to enhance efficiencies. The heat of the panels and from electrolysis inefficiencies creates a pressure rise in the gase, and is captured in an expander. The H2 and O2 are then used in the formation of pure silicon for more panels.

http://h2-pv.us/H2/H2-PV_Breeders.html

Steam Engine Construction Set

2009-02-15T02:53:21Z

Nickr: /* Engine Valve Design */

=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

===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]]

Steam Engine Construction Set

2009-02-15T02:51:43Z

2009-02-15T02:30:41Z

Nickr: