Steam Engine Construction Set

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. 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 dynamo - 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

Engine

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 [1] 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.

Steam Engine History:

http://www.egr.msu.edu/~lira/supp/steam/

A History of the Growth of the Steam Engine: [2]

A Catechism of the Steam Engine:[3]

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

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

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.

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 - source?

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 Kimmel Steam Power
• Mike Brown offers a reading list 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

---

Development Team

• Marcin Jakubowski

• Nick Raaum - he works at a coal power plant and wants a different path