Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

1 Posts
Oct 10, 2007 05:34 pm
Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

We have a small farm in Central BC, Canada and would like to generate our own power. As we have an unlimited supply of wood to burn, we would like to investigate the possiblity of using a steam turbine generator system. We have not had much luck in finding a manufacturer of small systems. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
 
1 Posts
Oct 3, 2009 01:38 pm
Re: Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

Please contact mizun @ ymail.com for steam turbines and boiler working on wood chips.
 
28 Posts
Oct 4, 2009 07:16 am
Re: Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

The problem you will have is that a small steam system is really inefficient and quite expensive to build legally. As the size decreases the efficiency drops, which means you will have a whole lot of waste heat that has to be disposed of. If you already have a relatively high pressure steam system and want to add a turbine, Elliot and Dresser Rand are suppliers of small steam turbines. Be aware that the pressure ranges needed to run a viable steam plant are well above the point where you can be seriously injured or killed if a part fails, so this is not a good thing to home brew. I dont see Alt E offering steam turbines anytime soon!

You didnt say what sort of load you needed, but small gasifer systems may be a better option. They are still inefficient but dont require boiler code components and can be built by someone with basic welding skills. Bascially a gasifier heats wood in a chamber with minimal oxygen, it produces a combustion gas, consisting of mostly carbon monoxide and some hydrogen that is then cleaned and run into a conventional generator. There are several commercial gasifier sites out there plus there is a group in Berkeley California that sells kits. There is no high pressures involved, but be aware that carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility if there are leaks in the system.

Alternatively if you can wait a bit, Dean Kamen of Segway fame just announced that he is ready to commercialize a Sterling cycle generator, which is a very old idea that to date hasnt been commericalized as there were some difficult technological issues to keep them running. Bascially you heat one end of the engine and cool the other end and it produces KWs. He is currently working with another company to produce it for third world water purification purposes, but it appears as though the generator will be seperate piece of equipment. 
 
1 Posts
Jan 9, 2010 07:14 am
Re: Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

Steam turbines are made in a variety of sizes ranging from small 1 hp (0.75 kW) units (rare) used as mechanical drives for pumps, compressors and other equipment, to 2,000,000 hp (1,500,000 kW) turbines used to generate electricity. There are several classifications for modern steam turbines.
A steam turbine is only efficient when operating in the thousands of RPM, while the most effective propeller designs are for speeds less than 100 RPM. The purchase cost is offset by much lower fuel and maintenance requirements and the small size of a turbine when compared to a reciprocating engine having an equivalent power. However, diesel engines are capable of higher efficiencies: steam turbine cycle efficiencies have yet to break 50%, yet diesel engines routinely exceed 50%, especially in marine applications.
The main advantage of a steam turbine locomotive is better balance and reduced hammer blow on the track. However, a disadvantage is that its output power is less flexible and so turbine locomotives were best suited for long-haul operations at a constant output power.



___________________
Greentech are specialists in a range of Gasification Boilers Services
 
6 Posts
Jan 29, 2010 03:56 am
Re: Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

steam turbine has almost completely replaced the reciprocating piston steam engine primarily because of its greater thermal efficiency and higher power-to-weight ratio.
the turbine generates rotary motion, it is particularly suited to be used to drive an electrical generator – about 80% of all electricity generation in the world is by use of steam turbines. The steam turbine is a form of heat engine that derives much of its improvement in thermodynamic efficiency through the use of multiple stages in the expansion of the steam, which results in a closer approach to the ideal reversible process.

for more details you can visit to new-energy-portal.com
« Last Edit: Jan 29, 2010 03:58 am by New Energy »
 
Posts
Jun 16, 2010 01:11 am
Re: Wanted: Information on steam turbine power generators

Great tips to share.. Very helpful.. Cheesy
 

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