Open Source Steam Power Generator

Introduction

This begins work on Prototype 1 of a turnkey, 1 kW, stationary electrical power generator. The more general product ecology is this:

The goal is the introduction of a modern, open source steam engine into the marketplace. Goals are both stationary and mobile power, scalable in units of 1, 10, and 100 hp.

Concept Specifications

• Electrical power generator
• Open source product development
• Turnkey operation
• 1kW max electrical power
• Solid pellet fuel
• Water-based system
• Easy maintenance
• Lifetime desing
• Modular design
• Simplicity (KISS)
• Open source plans
• Open source business model

Other

• Retrofittable into existing stoves - this would be another version beyond scope of Prototype I

Implementation Options

• Reciprocating engine
• Uniflow bash valve for long life
• Design for fabrication
• Design for disassembly (Steam Engine Construction Set)
• Scalability
• Modularity
• OSE Specifications
• Monotube
• Fully automatic
• Efficient (temperature, pressure, regeneration)
• Low cost (max $500 materials, max $500 fabrication)

Team

• Karl Petersen
• Marcin Jakubowski

See [Steam Engine Construction Set corresponding blog post].

1 kW Steam Engine Electric Generator Prototype from Marcin Jakubowski on Vimeo.

Communications

The plan would be to prepare a blog post for next week, say wednesday or Friday, where we put this project up for crowd funding to pay you for initial design. Then we can discuss the implementation. With a clear plan, we can promise the crowds specific results, and we could get this funded.

At this time, we can move forward on design work, according to specifications we discussed initially.

The general specifications are here:

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

Can you prepare a simple concept 3D drawing for the entire system? I was thinking a vertical hopper next to a vertical chimney heat exchanger stack next to a vertical pellet container. That could be a unit plugged into a regenerator.

Perhaps make Prototype I a bulky stationary system with 100% passive fluid motion, and Prototype II with a much more compact form factor - literally like a mobile generator with forced air and forced cooling for a radiator - literally comparable to regular generators.

Let's work on the technical details at this time. Could we come up with a budget and timeline for the project? Tell me what you need to guarantee your attention on this, and we can put up a funding basket.

Proposed timeline:

1. Blog post - Wed. Oct 13, 2001

2. Design funding period - Oct 13-Nov. 13

3. Design complete by Dec. 13

4. Fabrication funding period - Dec. 13 - Jan. 13.

5. Build complete by Feb. 13.

Basically, initial proposal with full budget by next week:

1. Design cost

2. Materials cost

3. Fabrication cost

After funding is complete, then we do one month to complete the design, followed by one month of build. Does that sound feasible? First build by Feb. 13.