Steam Engine Design/White Cliffs Report - Revision history

Mjn at 02:13, 20 July 2011

2011-07-20T02:13:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:13, 20 July 2011
Line 223:		Line 223:
	[[Image:WC-071110-engine.jpg\|thumb\|View of Engine]]		[[Image:WC-071110-engine.jpg\|thumb\|View of Engine]]
	[[Image:WC-071110-controller.jpg\|thumb\|View of Controller]]		[[Image:WC-071110-controller.jpg\|thumb\|View of Controller]]
	~~[[Image:WC-072010-parts-1.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 1]]~~
	~~[[Image:WC-072010-parts-2.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 2]]~~
	==Steam Engine==		==Steam Engine==
	pg. 129		pg. 129
Line 245:		Line 243:

	The valve mechanism was a major area of development. Extended, reliable operation was only achieved after much attention was given to the geometry and dimensions of the valves. Material and hardness selection was important.		The valve mechanism was a major area of development. Extended, reliable operation was only achieved after much attention was given to the geometry and dimensions of the valves. Material and hardness selection was important.

			[[Image:WC-072010-parts-1.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 1]]
			[[Image:WC-072010-parts-2a.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 2]]

Mjn at 16:38, 19 July 2011

2011-07-19T16:38:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:38, 19 July 2011
Line 173:		Line 173:


			[[Image:WC-071110-collector.jpg\|thumb\|Solar Concentrator]]
	==Dish Design==		==Dish Design==

Line 220:		Line 221:
	** Excess wind		** Excess wind

			[[Image:WC-071110-engine.jpg\|thumb\|View of Engine]]
			[[Image:WC-071110-controller.jpg\|thumb\|View of Controller]]
			[[Image:WC-072010-parts-1.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 1]]
			[[Image:WC-072010-parts-2.jpg\|thumb\|Engine Parts 2]]
	==Steam Engine==		==Steam Engine==
	pg. 129		pg. 129

Mjn at 03:07, 30 May 2011

2011-05-30T03:07:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:07, 30 May 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Category=Steam Engine}}		{{Category=Steam Engine}}
			[[Steam Engine Research]]

	These notes are made on "The White Cliffs Project - Overview for the period 1979-89" [http://www.rossen.ch/solar/sustain_renew_solar_white_cliffs_project_report.pdf] by S. Kaneff, Australia National University.		These notes are made on "The White Cliffs Project - Overview for the period 1979-89" [http://www.rossen.ch/solar/sustain_renew_solar_white_cliffs_project_report.pdf] by S. Kaneff, Australia National University.

Mjn: /* Arrays and Steam Engine */

2011-05-30T02:11:38Z

Arrays and Steam Engine

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:11, 30 May 2011
Line 334:		Line 334:
	pg. 235		pg. 235

	[[Image:WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png]]		[[Image:WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png\|thumb\|Array Performance Table]]

	[[Image:WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png]]		[[Image:WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png\|thumb\|Sun Power Graph]]

	Starting and stopping the system is described on pg.238.		Starting and stopping the system is described on pg.238.

	[[Image:WC-Metering.png]]		[[Image:WC-Metering.png\|thumb\|Metering]]

	=Achievements=		=Achievements=

Mjn: /* = */

2011-05-30T02:10:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:10, 30 May 2011
Line 331:		Line 331:

	==Arrays and Steam Engine==		==Arrays and Steam Engine==
	~~=======================~~
	pg. 235		pg. 235

	WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png		[[Image:WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png]]

	WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png		[[Image:WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png]]

	Starting and stopping the system is described on pg.238.		Starting and stopping the system is described on pg.238.

	WC-Metering.png		[[Image:WC-Metering.png]]

	=Achievements=		=Achievements=

Mjn at 20:00, 12 May 2011

2011-05-12T20:00:50Z

@@ Line 406: / Line 406: @@
 * Investigation of indirect irradiation of absorbers
 * Developments using direct absorbers
 [[Category:Steam Engine]]

Mjn at 19:50, 12 May 2011

2011-05-12T19:50:17Z

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 These notes are made on "The White Cliffs Project - Overview for the period 1979-89" [http://www.rossen.ch/solar/sustain_renew_solar_white_cliffs_project_report.pdf] by S. Kaneff, Australia National University.
+[[Image:WC-AC-System-Diagram.png|thumb|AC System Diagram]]
 =General=

Mjn at 19:47, 12 May 2011

2011-05-12T19:47:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:47, 12 May 2011
Line 328:		Line 328:
	WC-Metering.png		WC-Metering.png

			=Achievements=

			Start on page 267.

			'''Claimed achievements include:'''
			# Station supplies power to White Cliffs reliably.
			# Works on a continuous, stand alone basis.
			# Technology is suitable for the application.
			# Objectives of the project were met.
			# Cheapest on a per unit basis.
			# Development achieved largely in one step.
			# Future cost potential is good.
			# Concepts and principles selected very successful - no change.
			# Some original development with signficance for future work.
			# Most number of operating hours of any solar thermal system.
			# Appropriate for unsophisticated production and running.
			# Value of going out to field at an early stage.
			# Increased awareness of environmental effects.
			# Array of modular collectors can operate successfully.
			# Dish sizes must be increased.
			# Very successful steam engine with extensive applications.
			# Project gained international visibility.
			# Can be applied to other settlements without power.
			# Several spinoffs.

			=Lesson Learned=

			'''Some learning:'''
			* It is practical, cost effective, and competitive to supply via solar power.
			* Great scope and potential for more economical solutions.
			* Praticability, reliability, and cost effectiveness can be gotten without exotic systems.
			* Effective starting point for further development.
			* Assessment of system was hampered by light town load.
			* Comprehensive management let to success.

			==Impact of Technology==

			'''Impacts:'''
			* Licensing to a US firm.
			* USA design of a site on Molokai.
			* Development of a new generation large dish/engine system.
			* Development of rural village power supply at White Cliffs.
			* Influencing the US Dept. of Energy to establish dish/steam systems.
			* Development of a range of components for solar thermal systems.


			==Heat Engine Research and Development==

			'''Research:'''
			* Putting enhanced steam engine on a more theoretical footing.
			* Program to investigate various classi converters.
			* Investigate concepts to utilize low voltage outputs.
			* Generalize and extend energy conversion theory.
			* Determing the practical limits to efficiency and outputs.

			==Solar Collection and Concentration==

			'''Conceptual Advances:'''
			* Determine optimal size of collectors.
			* Determine optimal shapes of collectors.
			* Cavity receivers.
			* Effective measures to reduce trauma on absorbers
			* Investigation of indirect irradiation of absorbers
			* Developments using direct absorbers


			=Gallery of Illustrations=

			<gallery>
			Image:WC-AC-System-Diagram.png\|AC System Diagram
			Image:WC-Battery-Diagram.png\|Battery Diagram
			Image:WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png\|Engine Performance Table
			Image:WC-Engine-Performance-Stats.png\|Engine Performance Statistics
			Image:WC-Engine-Stats.png\|Engine Statistics
			Image:WC-Functional-Diagram.png\|Functional Diagram
			Image:WC-Metering.png\|Metering and Measuring Devices
			Image:WC-Parabolic-Dish.png\|Parabolic Dish Diagram
			Image:WC-Power-Gen-Diagram.png\|Power Generation Diagram
			Image:WC-Steam-Engine-Details.png\|Steam Engine Details
			Image:WC-STeam-Engine-Performance.png\|Steam Engine Performance
			Image:WC-Steam-System.png\|Steam System Diagram
			Image:WC-Steam-Temp-Eff-Chart.png\|Steam Temp vs. Efficiency Chart
			Image:WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png\|Sun Power Graph
			Image:WC-Trans-Response-Plot.png\|Transition Response Plot
			</gallery>

	[[Category:Steam Engine]]		[[Category:Steam Engine]]

Mjn at 17:29, 12 May 2011

2011-05-12T17:29:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 12 May 2011
Line 63:		Line 63:
	* Advanco Dish/Sterling system at Indian Wells, CA		* Advanco Dish/Sterling system at Indian Wells, CA
	* McDonnell Douglas Dish/Sterling mdoules (see Colemand and Raetz, 1986)		* McDonnell Douglas Dish/Sterling mdoules (see Colemand and Raetz, 1986)

			A Bill of Materials is presented on pg. 255.


Line 268:		Line 270:
	pg. 187		pg. 187

	~~==Steam engine==~~		After initial problems were solved, the system ran for six years with relatively few problems. No design changes. Reliability has been excellent. Power demands have been met.
	pg. ~~189~~.

	~~(notes go here)~~		==Couplers==

	==Piston Operated ~~valves~~==		Hardware problems largely due to poor quality commercial components - pumps and relays especially. Coupling from the engine to the AD/DC set failed after five years (a Morse unit), likely due to inadequate lubrication. Replace with a Borg-Warner unit.

			==Engine Oil==
			Pg. 189

			Too high or too low an oil level will cause problems in the steam engine. An oil level switch/alarm was installed. A scavenger pump was added to pump oil from the sump to the oil tank. This also cools the oil somewhat.

			==Piston Operated Valves==
	pg 190		pg 190

	(~~notes go here~~)		"Once we had grasped all of the affective parameters and understood their inter-relationships, we were able to produce very effective operation which we are now optimising,preparatory to developing and building bigger engines, including engines which employ ceramic valve (and piston) components."

			The valve mechanism was difficult to perfect.

			The pistons were modified to allow pins to be inserted in them. The original GM cast iron pistons were modified to include a mild steel cap (after removing the top of the cast iron piston). There was trouble with weld failure. Cast aluminum pistons with steel tops were tried, but failed.

			The final valve assembly has operated for more than 1000 hours with out failure. Ceramic valves and pistons would be cheaper to produce and allow higher operating temps and pressures.

			==Oil Separation==

			Chlorothene was added at one point to remove oil suspended in water. It worked wonderfully in removing oil from water, but caused corrosion and pin-hole leaks in several parts of the system. Use was discontinued.


	=Performance=		=Performance=

	==Steam Engine==		==Steam Engine Performance==
	~~performance~~ pg 213		pg 213

	(~~notes go here~~)		Use of commercial components was useful to enable cost effectiveness and maintenance.

			The steam engine, with vacuum assisted exhaust/condensation achieved efficiencies of over 20%. This was achieved in part through high quality heat and steam. Use of a vacuum pump assisted in extracting maximum work from the expanding steam (vacuum is presumably on the exhaust plenum).

			"Because of the restrictions imposed by license agreements, details of the engine which result in it's high performance are not included."

			The steam engine requires two hours of operation before attaining optimal conditions.

			Engine runs at a constant speed of 1500 rpm.

			The vacuum assisted exhaust improved engine performance determined by mass flow, cooling water terms, and input steam quality. Vacuum had 25degC cooling water, of -80 kPA, inlet steam temp of 415degC, pressure of 600 psi, exhaust temp of 73degC, input steam enthalpy of 129 kW thermal, mass flow of 41.5 g/s, shaft output of 28 kWmech.

			An identical engine with appropriate valve settings operates at 1800 rpm, output of 49 kWmech, with a vacuum of -70kPa, 420degC steam inlet, and 73degC exhaust temps.

	==Arrays and Steam Engine==		==Arrays and Steam Engine==
			=======================
	pg. 235		pg. 235

			WC-Eng-Array-Performance-Table.png

			WC-Sun-Power-Graph.png

			Starting and stopping the system is described on pg.238.

			WC-Metering.png


	[[Category:Steam Engine]]		[[Category:Steam Engine]]

Mjn at 16:39, 12 May 2011

2011-05-12T16:39:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 12 May 2011
Line 250:		Line 250:


	=Measurements		=Measurements=
	pg. 156		pg. 156

Line 263:		Line 263:
	* Power		* Power
	* Solar Power to Town		* Solar Power to Town


	=Hardware Experiences=		=Hardware Experiences=
Line 276:		Line 277:

	(notes go here)		(notes go here)


	=Performance=		=Performance=