Is it possible to make your own "simple" steam generator using the steam from a rocket mass heater?
I've seen this sort of thing on youtube (link below) but, not having any technical knowledge of "mechanical workings", I'm not sure how to start or even if it will actually work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb80dOs_EnM (small steam engine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6QOB8pql8&feature=fvwrel (monotube steam boiler)
Russell Coight....outback legend
There's one thing I like tell my kids and that's 'anything is possible'.
Mechanically speaking, this would be possible. A steam system is basically nothing more then fire heating water making steam - steam is channeled to move a turbine (or fan). The rotation of the fan makes work (electricity, mechanical task or whatever).
I've seen several examples of steam powered cool things. For example, near where I live there's a working steam-powered sawmill that holds demonstrations every year. I've been thinking of doing something like this, but I always come back to the same questions. How do I keep it fueled? Wood fuel is available, but from what I've seen with the sawmill operation, you'd need a good supply of it to keep things going. Coal is probably more efficient, but I wouldn't have a supply of that I could rely on. My other questions are, given the amount of fuel needed to run it, would it be worth it? Does the energy output justify the input?
But on coolness, yeah it's possible and it would be worth doing as a project just to learn about how things work alone in my book.
Runs with Scissors
Runs With Scissors
To throw in my two cents worth it would probably be more efficient in the long run to use steam power as a source for mechanical energy as opposed to use it to run a generator to keep electric things going. A simple steam engine can be used to power virtually anythingas they did in the old days. I believe one of the hardest things we will have to do in a post SHTF world will be adjust our mindsets away from our "modern" conveniences. The what we need question as opposed to what we want.
It can be done but there are other ways that are easier and cheaper. Steam can be very dangerous if you aren't careful. Think of it as a controlled bomb. If you loose control......
Aw... C'mon... losing control is at LEAST 1/2 the fun... sometimes..HA HA HA
I'm in total agreement with both of you. I would be more inclined to run something mechanical with steam over say power up a little electricity supplied by either solar panels or micro hydro (love that micro hydro - wish I could use it).
It's still a neat project to goof around with on the side.
Runs With Scissors
Runs With Scissors