steam generators

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I would like to hear from anyone who has used a steam generator or has had any close association with one. Are questions are on: Noise Methods of quieting it down Amount of electricity produced, mainly in Winter Any other comments appreciated. We have already read the Countryside article about steam engines, but would really appreciate answers from other users, too! Thanks, everyone!!! Fran

-- Fran Ogren (trumpkinland@plix.com), August 10, 2001

Answers

Fran, my understanding of steam generators is that, if you don't have need for a LOT of waste heat, it's not a good idea. I can't remember the steam generator web site, but you can find it by doing a google search for steam electricity generator, I think.

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), August 10, 2001.


I belong to a group that has a Shay steam locomotive. Railroad steam inspectors and resident engineers stress water level in the boiler. Ours runs at 135 lbs. pressure we have all been told that low water will make it blowup.Pictures I have seen show complete boilers blown off of locomotives lying hundreds of feet away. I wouldn'ttrust a boiler with any amount of pressure to be on it's own. S figure on having a stationary engineer to opperate boiler while or you could have something like the tractor in Ohio. Jack generating

-- jack (jsweeney@nothnet.org), August 10, 2001.

www.sensiblesteam.com is one of the sites. I think you'll find that steam is practical for very few applications... especially if producing electricity is your primary goal.

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), August 10, 2001.


if you can use the extra heat, (exhaust steam),, they are a good choice,, but otherwise,, there are better, cheaper,less waste ways to produce electric

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 10, 2001.

I think the availability of fuel is what dictates if a steam generator is the best option. If your heat comes from burning wood, coal or even from an atomic pile then steam is the only way to go! But for gas or oil I am sure a suitable internal combustion engine would be a better choice.

To quieten a steam exhaust I suggest condensing as much steam as possible perhaps by way of a cold water spray.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), August 10, 2001.



I remember sensible steam too. Skip wrote up a big article about steam in Homepower mag a few years ago. It seems like a good idea as a winter source of power because the waste heat can be used for space heating. I use so much wood here for heat I considered something similar. I think CS has a steam generator setup at Country side central in Wisconsin.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), August 10, 2001.

Somewhere recently several folks were killed at a fair when an old steam tractor being set up for exhibit exploded. Luckily, the fair wasn't "on" at the time (or the area wasn't open, one of the two). They think that an overpressure valve stuck or clogged, but they can't tell for sure - among the dead were the steam engine "experts" who could have told them. Be very careful. These were trained folks and (as far as I have heard) didn't see it coming.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 10, 2001.

That explosion happened the next county over from where I live. It popelled a 25 ton tractor 15 feet in the air and hit a tree somewhere at that level according to the paper! The cause they have determined was a low water level uncovered a portion of the firebox while they were driving the tractor into place and when the water covered the superheated area, it created much steam, too much for the safety to releive and pow! These men that were operating the tractor are considered to be the formost experts on steam tractors for this area. Make sure you know what you are doing if you start fooling with steam. I am not sure, but I think in Ohio if you use pressures less than 45 lbs one does not have to have a stationary engineers license, but the boilers must be inspected once a year regardless. Steam tractors do not have to follow the same rules since they are classified for agracultural use.

-- Ed Holt (goat@sssnet.com), August 11, 2001.

best bet is to go to the 'good advice' section on my website. www.sensiblesteam.com

steam is not for those who are not willing to break a sweat or not pay attention. and murphy was a boilermaker..............

yep, it is dangerous....as much as a car or plane. some folks should just stay on the grid!

-- skip at sensible steam (sensiblesteam@aol.com), August 12, 2001.


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