Small Steam Engines Design Required

Try this site for plans.

Why steam?

Steam has proven to be dangerous and very nasty.

How do you want to handle corrosion and supplying water?

Steam is for big systems.

Go for Stirling or Erickson,

Gwen

I suggest you try used steam turbine marine generator systems bought used from ship breakers. Everything will be there all you wil need is a suitable boiler. Alternatively, same source can supply excellent diesel generators which can be converted to run on BIO-Diesel see: journeytoforever.com

the water supply problems and technical knowledge required to run a steam setup does way pretty heavily against their use.

In rebuilding diesels can be improved significantly by using aftermarket high performance parts.

I think the best option might be wind generators. you can locally manufacture the blades, hubs can be converted from automotive differentials and the generator portions can be ganged and geared auto alternators or hand made modern types like those briggs & Stratten make in the US.

I think he is looking for a systainable product which can be made in series for serveral hospitals over the world.

The best is to do them all the same. Recovery units would be all different, all needing diffrent spare part sets, training,...

This is exactly where it all went wrong in the past: a nice set was delivered and worked for some years, than it got broken and the organisation who supplied it could not help them as the unit was an already old unit.

What they need is something they can easely make from standard equipment, that can run on all type of burning fuels and spare parts can be organised when needed.

Original guest: create yourself a nickname and come in the discussion.

Sustainability is difficult, cause it implies that people need something AND have the means to maintain (sustain) it, so it should have a clear added value, that gives you more than the only the effort needed to sustain it.

In this respect, we designed a handpump that is very durable and can work for 25+ years from 1 to 100 m deep, without spare parts (indeed the main problem were to find these), we called it the Afripump and are now promoting it in Africa. see www.handpump.org

Thanks for comments

Paul van Beers

"I am looking for designs or manufacturers to provide small steam engines that can run a generator for electricity for hospitals in Africa."

Mike Brown's Steam Engines & Kits Also information of associated products.

Thanks, I checked the site and YouTube video, that's exactly what we are looking for, now lets promote this in the developing world and mass produce it.

i will put it on my websites www.watsan.org and www.watsan.com

Paul

Dear sir

we can supply this engine or generator

Please send more detail to my email

"Please send more detail to my email"

Tis not I, Stirling Stan that wants a small steam engine. It is the original poster, Paul WatSan That is seeking information. Please read the thread next time to determind who wants what and who is making suggestion to fulfill that inquiry.

Be sure and include one-piece, drilled venturi steam traps for maximum efficiency and minimum maintenance. I have info available.

John

I got a reply on a separate thread about steam generators that I think will solve your problem. Forwarded by a "Guest", whom I thank. Lynx Motors. They modify lawn mower engines, build small boilers and have a small alternator for power. It is cheap and first looks are promising.

Good luck,

James

you can take the ideas from lynx motors and apply them to any engine. I think you will want to use a multi-cylinder engine so that it will be self starting. Single cylinder units need to be turned to start running. V series engines are more prone to start with the application of steam as the timing allows the introduction of steam to push one cylinder or the other.

I understand your point. Everyone please share your thoughts on the following.

Hypothetical scenario: I live in an isolated area. I have a 5HP lawn mower engine that is steam driven, wood fired. What kind of transmission system would you use to drive a 5500 Watt generator head.

James

Double acting cylinder arrangement or single? This would be the factor for the gearing as you would double the horsepower by using a double acting cylinder arrangement. Are you using an A.C. generator head, or D.C. If A.C., will need to know the number of poles in the unit to determine the "sweet" speed for the production of 60 cycles. Typically it is 3600, 1800, or 900 RPM. If D.C. you would need to check the data plate. Stepping up the armature speed reduces the torque available from the engine to turn the armature.

What kind of transmission? I would recommend a spur gear unit. driven in reverse.

I could manufacture a small steam engine if you would like. Do you have designs or plans ? If you are still in need of someone to produce these for you please let me know. My email is thayersjobshop at yahoo dot com. Please let me know asap I am also willing to speak on the phone if you would like.

did you find

http://www.strathsteam.com/page6.html

it would seem to fit

Mike

HI

WHAT CAPACITY OF STEAM ENGINE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?

DO YOU HAVE THE STEAM AVAILABLE WITH YOU?

OR YOU REQUIRE THE STEAM BOILER ALSO?

PLEASE REVERT BACK