wood fired steam boiler for electric genny?

[mikeyny]

I read a post recently about getting bored with the success of the wood boiler. No more challenge. Thats where I am now. Got heat and all the hot water I need with a bit of fire, fully automaic, except for loading. My next project will be a wood or coal fired steam boiler to run a steam turbine to generate some electricity. I have seen some on e-bay. I have an old kolvan gas boiler, removed the gas burner and discovered the lower fire chamber is all refractory in almost perfect condition. The top half of the boiler appears to be steel, not cast Iron. I have a little experiance with steam boilers and I think I may use a automotive turbo charger for the turbine and build a return for the steam to go thru a condensor. So far I am still in the thinking stages. And, oh, by the way, this will all be set up in my detached garage about 60 ft from the house. Any one ever build one? Any thoughts? This will be a build for fun and maybe get some power to fire up the electric fence to keep out those undesireable neighbors
Mike

 

[Mushroom Man]

A wood burning steam fired genny is a great project. Producing one's own power would give a sense of freedom. Steam is fantastic for generating due to its expansion factor when heated, far in excess of fossil fuels.

I wish you success. Regrettably, I can't help much because I know virtually nothing about external combustion. In fact I have a real problem getting my head around it.

I'll follow your progress if you'll keep us informed on the steps you are taking. Who knows you may start a fad on the Boiler Room.

 

[sgschwend]

How about robbing some gasification gas and use it as the fuel for an internal combustion engine to run a generator?

 

[NHFarmer]

Originally I wanted to use a wood fired steam boiler to tie in to my existing steam heat system. After a lot of research I felt it was impractical unless I was able to babysit it 24/7. I think the controls and the ability to automate will be the trickey part. Sounds like a great project. Keep us posted

 

[mikeyny]

I have kicked around the wood gas idea in the past. I have the FEMA manual written by Tom Reed on wood gas fired icu's. That too, requires a lot of baby sitting and maintenance. The biggest problem is filtering and cleaning out the tars and other impurities in the wood gas that will destroy the internal combustion engine.

 

[in hot water]

I have seen some of Skips boilers running Mikes engine, spinning a generator. Plus you get then waste heat to use.


http://www.mikebrownsolutions.com/wref699.htm

(broken link removed)

 

[mtnmizer]

My tech school shop partner is a certified steam engineer and is in demand
at the old time steam engine gatherings. Not rocket science but they can't
have a public display without a certified engineer...

I served on a navy ship that ran on 1200 psi, 800 degree steam. The standby
boiler was "only" 600 psi. Steam gone wrong will kill and maim. Been there
and seen it first hand. I saw what happens if a pressure relief valve fails......
not pretty..

If you know what you are doing --have fun and be safe.. If I were interest in
doing something like that I'd start with a steam engineers certification .. Just
my opinion.. MM

 

[James Gautsch]

This may be a good place to start.

(broken link removed)

Also look at this [email protected]

 

[rowerwet]

look for sites about model steam engines, I have a friend who is building one that you sit on to run it, his set up has been on TV before, also look up steam boating and steam launches, quite a few of them are wood fired, there is a big steam launch messabout on lake Wini. each year and many other places also.
There is a thread on the forestry forum with pictures of someone with a steam generator that they live off the grid with.
threads dealing with steam engines and some dealing with steam power generation.
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,40100.0.html
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,40432.0.html
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,37828.0.html
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,36996.0.html
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,36696.0.html
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,32841.0.html
the best.
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,32841.0.html

 

[CowboyAndy]

many times i have pondered the idea of a wood powered (in some way) generator. our area was hit with a crippling ice storm in 98 that left most of the area without power for 2+ weeks. when that happens again, i want to be one of the people who have heat and electricity...

 

[webbie]

Steam is a terribly inefficient way to convert energy...something like 5 or 7%.

Lots of folks have fantasized about a combined heat and power - but I suspect that right now it only pays on a fairly large scale.

Someday the problem will be solved, but I doubt that it will be with a plain steam engine. My thought is that eventually silicon might be able to be used for direct conversion of some of the heat to electrical energy.