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Abe Connally wrote:it's an interesting and entertaining article, for sure, but some of the fuel issues he talks about could be done with current ICEs, too. Like using wood for fuel.
I'd love a steam setup, but they aren't cheap. And I don't have the resources to build one myself.
http://www.tinytechindia.com/steampowerplan.htm offer the most reasonable steam engines available, that I know of. But even then, they are significantly more expensive than other options, and require a lot of attention to keep going. It's not a case of turning it on and forgetting about it, and I think that's a major issue with the affordable steam systems I've seen. Those issues can be rectified, but they haven't been included in a consumer system, yet.
So, for the time being, stationary power, like an ICE with wood gas in a Combined heat and power setup would likely be the most cost effective route right now.
Marcos Buenijo wrote: However, I do believe that a modern steam system could be objectively superior with biomass fuel (and by a large margin).
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Justus Walker wrote:Looks cheaper than anything I've seen in the gasifier community! What issues do they have?? A ready to go 5 hp plant seems reasonable! Engine with boiler! What am i missing? How many hours are these engines expected to work?
Justus Walker wrote:http://www.tinytechindia.com/steampowerplan.htm
Scroll down the page. There are entire power plants, ready for shipping. I don't know anything about steam. That's why i asked.
And what's wrong with the green steam engine??
Justus Walker wrote:
I'm about ready to jump into gasification full scale, truck, house, etc. So I'm just making real sure I'd rather not do steam.
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Justus Walker wrote:I see what you say. But surely there is someone out there. Like...
http://www.reliablesteam.com/RSE/RSEengines.html Kit or complete unit
http://www.strathsteam.com/page6.html a stationary unit designed for off the girders!
http://www.tinypower.com/store.php?crn=54&rn=258&action=show_detail or something like this!
http://www.mikebrownsolutions.com/mbsteam.htm - Mike seems like a serious minded guy. a bit pricey but, who knows, is it worth it?
Are these all super low efficient, toys as well.
Abe Connally wrote:
The thing Marcos is saying, and I agree with him, is that these steam engines are small, inefficient, and are not leave-alone systems. That means you have to watch the system when it runs. It's not like an ICE that you can start and leave. To me, that is the most significant disadvantage of steam systems available on the market.
A gasifier still needs some attendance, but generally, you fill the hopper with wood, get it running, and then you can leave it and just check periodically. The overall cost for a gasifier setup with the same electrical output will be considerably lower.
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