Steam Engine Intro - Revision history

Elifarley: Text replace - "openfarmtech.org/weblog" to "blog.opensourceecology.org"

2013-07-02T17:31:34Z

Text replace - "openfarmtech.org/weblog" to "blog.opensourceecology.org"

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 2 July 2013
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	* '''[[:Category: Steam Engine]]'''		* '''[[:Category: Steam Engine]]'''
	* '''[[Steam Engine/Index]]''' - steam engine pages organized by topic.		* '''[[Steam Engine/Index]]''' - steam engine pages organized by topic.
	* '''[http://~~openfarmtech~~.org~~/weblog~~/category/global-village-construction-set/steam-engine-construction-set/ Blog post and interview with Harry Schoell]'''		* '''[http://blog.opensourceecology.org/category/global-village-construction-set/steam-engine-construction-set/ Blog post and interview with Harry Schoell]'''
	* '''[http://~~openfarmtech~~.org~~/weblog~~/forum/steam-engine-construction-set/ Related Forum]''' - discussion forum.		* '''[http://blog.opensourceecology.org/forum/steam-engine-construction-set/ Related Forum]''' - discussion forum.
	* '''[[Steam Engine/Correspondence]]''' - reviews, messages, letters,etc.		* '''[[Steam Engine/Correspondence]]''' - reviews, messages, letters,etc.
	* '''[[Steam Engine/Terminology]]''' - terms, jargon, abbreviations, etc.		* '''[[Steam Engine/Terminology]]''' - terms, jargon, abbreviations, etc.

Chris F at 16:48, 27 September 2011

2011-09-27T16:48:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 27 September 2011
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	{{breadcrumb\|Energy\|Steam Engine}}		{{breadcrumb\|Energy\|Steam Engine}}

			see {{Steam Engine}}

	= Description =		= Description =

Chris F: /* Steam Engine Primers/Groups */

2011-09-27T16:48:22Z

Steam Engine Primers/Groups

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	* [[The Only Production Steam Engine in the World]]		* [[The Only Production Steam Engine in the World]]
	* [[Tinytech]]		* [[Tinytech]]

			==See Also==
			{{Steam Engine}}

Chris F at 16:34, 27 September 2011

2011-09-27T16:34:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 27 September 2011
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	{{breadcrumb\|Energy\|Steam Engine}}		{{breadcrumb\|Energy\|Steam Engine}}
	~~{{ToolTemplate\|ToolName=Steam Engine}}~~


	= Description =		= Description =

Mjn: /* Design Rationale */

2011-07-21T02:26:47Z

Design Rationale

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	= Design Rationale =		= Design Rationale =

	Although it is a matter of some debate, there are many who feel that our global civilization has past the (so called) point of peak oil. Peak oil [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil] refers to the point in time when easy sources of petroleum have been exhausted. Past that point, demand continues to rise (largely pegged to global population growth) but production rolls off. If we accept that we have past the point of peak oil, then how will we maintain civilization's need for energy? While part of the answer lies in reducing consumption, a bigger part lies in alternative sources of energy. The Open Source Ecology project is exploring a number of [[:Category:Energy \| alternative energy sources]], the Open Source Steam engine ~~is the focus of this OSE project~~.		Although it is a matter of some debate, there are many who feel that our global civilization has past the (so called) point of peak oil. Peak oil [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil] refers to the point in time when easy sources of petroleum have been exhausted. Past that point, demand continues to rise (largely pegged to global population growth) but production rolls off. If we accept that we have past the point of peak oil, then how will we maintain civilization's need for energy? While part of the answer lies in reducing consumption, a bigger part lies in alternative sources of energy. The Open Source Ecology project is exploring a number of [[:Category:Energy \| alternative energy sources]]. Given reliable energy sources, the Open Source Steam engine can be used to convert steam energy into motion (and thence into electricity, etc).

	Steam engines have a number of benefits over other kinds of motive power:		Steam engines have a number of benefits over other kinds of motive power:

	* Relatively uncomplicated, few moving parts (compared to other engines)		* Relatively uncomplicated, few moving parts (compared to other engines)
	* Driven by steam, ~~produce~~ in a variety of ways (boiler, solar concentrator, etc.)		* Driven by steam, produced in a variety of ways (boiler, solar concentrator, geothermal, etc.)
	* Can be made modular: steam source, controller, cylinder, crankshaft		* Can be made modular: steam source, controller, cylinder, crankshaft
	* Scalable power: connect more steam engine units onto a common crankshaft		* Scalable power: connect more steam engine units onto a common crankshaft
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	Additional reasons to design and build an open source steam engine include:		Additional reasons to design and build an open source steam engine include:

	* Relevant as an appropriate technology choice in both poor and rich countries, when coupled to flash steam generators		* Relevant as an appropriate technology choice in both poor and rich countries when coupled to flash steam generators
	* Basis for another kind of [[Power Cube]]		* Basis for another kind of [[Power Cube]]
	* May be coupled directly to linear hydraulic pump (feasibility study required)		* May be coupled directly to linear hydraulic pump (feasibility study required)

Mjn: /* Design Rationale */

2011-07-21T02:24:21Z

Design Rationale

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:24, 21 July 2011
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	= Design Rationale =		= Design Rationale =

	Although it is a matter of some debate, there are many who feel that our global civilization has past the (so called) point of peak oil. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil ~~\| Peak oil~~] refers to the point in time when easy sources of petroleum have been exhausted. Past that point, demand continues to rise (largely pegged to global population growth) but production rolls off. If we accept that we have past the point of peak oil, then how will we maintain civilization's need for energy? While part of the answer lies in reducing consumption, a bigger part lies in alternative sources of energy. The Open Source Ecology project is exploring a number of [[:Category:Energy \| alternative energy sources]], the Open Source Steam engine is the focus of this OSE project.		Although it is a matter of some debate, there are many who feel that our global civilization has past the (so called) point of peak oil. Peak oil [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil] refers to the point in time when easy sources of petroleum have been exhausted. Past that point, demand continues to rise (largely pegged to global population growth) but production rolls off. If we accept that we have past the point of peak oil, then how will we maintain civilization's need for energy? While part of the answer lies in reducing consumption, a bigger part lies in alternative sources of energy. The Open Source Ecology project is exploring a number of [[:Category:Energy \| alternative energy sources]], the Open Source Steam engine is the focus of this OSE project.

	Steam engines have a number of benefits over other kinds of motive power:		Steam engines have a number of benefits over other kinds of motive power:
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	* Basis for another kind of [[Power Cube]]		* Basis for another kind of [[Power Cube]]
	* May be coupled directly to linear hydraulic pump (feasibility study required)		* May be coupled directly to linear hydraulic pump (feasibility study required)


	= Design =		= Design =

Mjn: /* Steam Engine Primers/Groups */

2011-07-21T02:22:21Z

Steam Engine Primers/Groups

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	* [[The Only Production Steam Engine in the World]]		* [[The Only Production Steam Engine in the World]]
	* [[Tinytech]]		* [[Tinytech]]

	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?

Mjn: /* Design */

2011-07-21T02:17:33Z

Design

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	The current OSE Modern Steam Engine is based on design developed for the White Cliffs solar power station in NSW, Australia (see [[Steam Engine Design/White Cliffs]]). While the White Cliffs engine used a converted diesel engine, the essential concept is the same: a uniflow steam engine using a bump valve control mechanism. Our engine is greatly simplified from the White Cliffs design. Initially, it will be a single cylinder (scalable by adding more to a common crankshaft) driven by steam from a boiler or solar concentrator (such as [[Solar Fire]]). Two bump valves are activated by valve pins mounted on the face of the piston head. Just before top dead center of the cycle, the bump the steam valves open, letting new steam into the cylinder. A flywheel carries the piston past top dead center and at the cut-off point, the steam valves close. Expanding pressure causes the piston to move down the cylinder until it nears bottom dead center, at which point the piston uncovers four exhaust vents allows steam (any any condensed water) to escape the engine. An exhaust plenum is provided to capture spent steam so that it might be used for other purposes (like heating).		The current OSE Modern Steam Engine is based on design developed for the White Cliffs solar power station in NSW, Australia (see [[Steam Engine Design/White Cliffs]]). While the White Cliffs engine used a converted diesel engine, the essential concept is the same: a uniflow steam engine using a bump valve control mechanism. Our engine is greatly simplified from the White Cliffs design. Initially, it will be a single cylinder (scalable by adding more to a common crankshaft) driven by steam from a boiler or solar concentrator (such as [[Solar Fire]]). Two bump valves are activated by valve pins mounted on the face of the piston head. Just before top dead center of the cycle, the bump the steam valves open, letting new steam into the cylinder. A flywheel carries the piston past top dead center and at the cut-off point, the steam valves close. Expanding pressure causes the piston to move down the cylinder until it nears bottom dead center, at which point the piston uncovers four exhaust vents allows steam (any any condensed water) to escape the engine. An exhaust plenum is provided to capture spent steam so that it might be used for other purposes (like heating).

	~~=== 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.~~

	~~skaar: try iron gas pipe?~~

	jerryshaw: it may not be fully feasible yet, or maybe it already is, but high temperature plastics may actually be usable. Temperature and pressure is well below an internal combustion engine, and there are no plastic IC engines but we already have plastic intake manifolds right next to very hot components, say 400 degrees in the intake of some supercharged engines. If plastic works it would make for very inexpensive steam engines, as well as fairly light weight ones, making it easy to motorize things everywhere. They could be cheaply manufactured from a cooperative owned plant, or perhaps the plastic formulations could be tweaked over time to even eventually use bioplastic and be printed in your own RepRap machine! http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/RepRap But until then don't entirely rule out plastic. It should at least work with basic steam, maybe not superheated steam. I have even heard of wood(!) being used to make a working steam engine (though I think it used iron piston rings, the piston and cylender and head were wood) although I wouldn't expect life to be terribly long.

	:I think an aluminum/silicon alloy would be worth considering. It does not shrink much as it solidifies, and can be cast at a reasonable temperature, using plaster molds (lost wax or, when scaled up, a re-usable polyurethane master). It's also fairly strong, reasonably corrosion-resistant, can be used to make heat exchangers, and is widely available as scrap, e.g. aluminum engine blocks are made from a suitable alloy. David Gingery wrote some books that might be helpful.

	~~=== 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.

	= Product Ecology =		= Product Ecology =

Mjn: /* Project Team */

2011-07-21T02:13:07Z

Project Team

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	* Ken Helmick, SACA		* Ken Helmick, SACA
	* Harry Schoell, Cyclone Tech. ??		* Harry Schoell, Cyclone Tech. ??

			Additional Input:

			* Ron Whaley, PKI Alumnus (White Cliffs Solar Project)

	== Joining the Steam Engine Team==		== Joining the Steam Engine Team==
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	You will be given one or two tasks to complete before being invited as a full project participant. To some degree, this is a test of your commitment. More than that, it is a way of building trust in your ability to make a meaningful contribution. OSE GVCS Project teams are deliberately lean and agile. The pace can be fast at times and we need you to adapt to the current rate of development.		You will be given one or two tasks to complete before being invited as a full project participant. To some degree, this is a test of your commitment. More than that, it is a way of building trust in your ability to make a meaningful contribution. OSE GVCS Project teams are deliberately lean and agile. The pace can be fast at times and we need you to adapt to the current rate of development.


	= Design Rationale =		= Design Rationale =

Mjn: /* Additional Information */

2011-07-21T02:12:06Z

Additional Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:12, 21 July 2011
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	* '''[[Steam Engine/Terminology]]''' - terms, jargon, abbreviations, etc.		* '''[[Steam Engine/Terminology]]''' - terms, jargon, abbreviations, etc.
	* '''[[Steam Engine/Things To Do]]'''		* '''[[Steam Engine/Things To Do]]'''
	* '''[[Steam Engine/Others]] - Links to commercially available steam engines, plans, other projects, etc.		* '''[[Steam Engine/Others]]''' - Links to commercially available steam engines, plans, other projects, etc.


	= Project Team =		= Project Team =