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Old compressor as steam motor | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by brianschanafelt (brianschanafelt@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 at 04:26:41 PM MST
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I have made a small steam engine by taking a 3hp gas engine Briggs and Stratton. and taking out the cam and welding lobes directly across from one another. And fitting a valve on the intake side for steam or compressed air. I have tried both,the first time i used compressed air, then built a little boiler out of two fire extinguisher's welded them together. And then i put a little watter in them and put it in the BBQ until it had about a hundred and fifty pounds. I didn't want to take a chance of it blowing up so i only went to half recommended pressure. opened the valve and she started turning. I could tell that it had a lot of leakage so i played with the timing a little until it was really going good. those engines are a pain to change the timing because you have to pull it apart every time and move it a tooth either way. I think with a little more fabrication it probably would be pretty efficient.
"something free is money well spent"

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by Basil (basil(spamblock)key@bellsouth.net) on Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 at 02:39:48 AM MST
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Was going to do one but it look like a lot of work. I have a 6 hp
side shaft. It's a good motor but no carb. My father took it years ago.
I went with the car compressor becaue it was simple, quick and I had
the parts laying around. Still have not made a boiler. That noworking
wind turbine is useing up all my free time.
Whats the rpm at what psi? Does it perform good under a load?
Bad luck or none at all.
[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Opera House on Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 at 05:52:10 AM MST
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"put it in the BBQ until it had about a hundred and fifty pounds"

With 150 pound steam at 350 degrees I don't think we will be seeing you around long.

[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by Basil (basil(spamblock)key@bellsouth.net) on Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 at 06:44:08 AM MST
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Fast but not smart. I want a boiler so bad it killing me. I'm Still learning before I build one so it wont do just that.
Bad luck or none at all.
[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by WXYZCIENCE on Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 at 11:52:09 PM MST
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Basil, I have been working on boilers for a few years now. Here is a link to one of the tube boilers that I made. http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/5/18/234240/453

Tube boilers do not have the volume of steam but they are probably the safest type for what you are up to. At 100 psi the temperature will be 338 degrees F., This is where the real danger is in any steam unit. There is a relationship of efficiency with temperature, and this is where the problem is. To get efficiency approaching diesel you would have to run your temperature upwards of 1000 degrees. If you are going to experiment with steam please be careful. If you have any questions I will try to give you good answers.
Joseph

[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by Basil (basil(spamblock)key@bellsouth.net) on Mon Feb 4th, 2008 at 07:16:48 AM MST
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Thanks WXYZCIENCE. I have seen your work while looking around on the web and it looks good and safe. I can put something like that together and it my work. BUT I have some things that are unclear to me even with all the reading I've done. People like myself who wants to build a boiler and are smart enough not to just put some thing together but do not have the knowledge to build one safely . Here are some points that are unclear to me.
With common sense I know to use temp and pressure rated pop off valve, gage, check valve and pressure control valve. WOW few hundred bucks there. Ok back to the questions. How is water put in to replaced what is used is such a system? Pump? Details would be welcome/ very welcome. What size tubing type, length for HP engine. Details would be welcome/ very welcome. Regular ever day down the road hardware copper tubing ok? Dose the tubing come in contact with the fire? Is there a place for water other than the tubing? This is just some questions for now. If anyone has a question to add fill free to post it. Others and myself may learn from the answers. I feel when it comes to steam there is no dumb question. Well there may be but if it will help keep you safe ask any way. I'm learning but a lot of these guys have been there and done it and I bet they do not wont anyone hurt.
Bad luck or none at all.
[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by WXYZCIENCE on Mon Feb 4th, 2008 at 10:26:56 AM MST
(User Info)

Basil, most of my turbines run at 40 -50 psi yet my boiler is tested (Cold) to 300 psi.

Don't use tanks for your boiler!

Always use a pressure release valve, they are Law!

Copper tube boilers work well, but they do not take a flash. (No water in boiler).
Replacement of water can be done in several ways. The first and is a pump, this takes power to operate. Second is a injector system, $ and hard to find. The method that I use mostly is domestic water pressure. With a tube boiler it is hard to get the flow of input water just right but it is the cheapest. Use a ball valve into a check valve and then into the tube. This allows you to regulate the flow.

My boiler has 80 feet of 3/4" schedule 80 pipe. This one has produced 150 watts of AC power . Efficiency of around 4%. Sounds low but I cogenerate the steam to heat water.

Like DanB says, steam required a full time operator. I enjoy working with steam but I am still a ways from producing any real power. I think my wind power is way out in front in the power making game.
Joseph.

[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#21)
by Basil (basil(spamblock)key@bellsouth.net) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 10:40:30 AM MST
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Sorry so late to reply. Good info Thanks. I'm rounding up parts.
Bad luck or none at all.
[ Parent ]

Re: Old compressor as steam motor (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by BigBreaker on Mon Feb 4th, 2008 at 07:55:34 AM MST
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Yea - I don't know where to begin with this one...

The fire extinguisher is rated as cold metal. Heated metal will be weaker and a BBQ could heat unevenly, making one spot much weaker.

You have described a good way to kill yourself.

[ Parent ]

Old compressor as steam motor | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 editorial)

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