Slotted Disc Turbine
Hello Everyone,
We’re all starting a New Year and I’d like to thank everyone who responded to my original Bladeless Slotted Disc Turbine article and for the many interesting inquiries and comments. Since eight out of ten inquiries were related to solar applications, I decided to publish a paper on the subject. There appears to be some confusion about how much energy can be acquired from the sun, especially using a modified parabolic satellite dish, or any other solar concentrator. The article was written to try to get everyone on the same page, or at least in the same ballpark. A series of papers can be expected with the objective of learning how to make enough steam to run a small steam turbine or engine. For anyone even thinking about installing a solar system, these articles should help to understand the technology and to make better decisions.
Making Steam from Solar Energy , Part 1, can be found on the following website:
http://www.green-trust.org/steamturbine/Solar_White%20Paper_Part%201.pdf
The original steam turbine article can be found at:
http://www.green-trust.org/steamturbine/steamturbine.htm
For those who have inquired about obtaining plans or hardware, the current plan is to offer a single rotor 1-3 kW kit. This kit is designed for educational and research purposes only and is not otherwise commercially available. Detailed drawings are not available, although assembly and shop drawings are included with the purchase of a turbine kit. The decision to offer a complete kit instead of fabrication drawings is based on several factors.
All the parts can probably be made in any machine shop, except the slotted discs. The precision needed for the slotted disc requires laser cutting to assure desired accuracy and balance. However, laser cutting is only cost effective in quantity. Likewise, the forming of the slots requires a heavy-duty press and special fixtures. There is an advantage for all users to gain and share experience by beginning with the same turbine design, around which the rest of the system, such as a boiler, a condenser and controls, needs to be designed, built and tested.
The price, depending on the number of firm orders received, is expected to be less than $500 USD per kit + S&H, and delivery will be four to six weeks ARO. If you are planning to purchase a 1-3 kW kit, please let me know right away and I’ll send you additional information, or let me know if you are more interested in a 5 kW or a 10 kW turbine kit.
Thank you and have a safe and happy New Year,
Bob Saunders nwwpa@yahoo.com
