GAS-L: Steam as a working fluid

[Peter Singfield <snkm@btl.net>]

A working fluid carries heat to be converted to power. Steam may well be
the oldest working fluid to do such -- but it is of terrible efficiency due
to all the energy lost in the change of state from liquid to gas.

Going back to the citrus wastes plant example.

"17,303.5 KWH's in and  3,750 KWH's out."

13553.5 KWH's simply blows out the cooling tower!! Is this really the best
we can do??

According to "modern" thinking -- yes!

However -- if one would use a second working fluid -- a refrigerant for
example -- as part of the condenser cycle -- at least another 20% worth of
power can be extracted.

Has this ever been done before? Yes!!

Let me scan this in from:

Marks'

Mechanical Engineers'
Handbook

PREPARED
BY A STAFF OF SPECIALISTS

LIONEL S. MARKS, Editor-in-Chief
PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
HARVARD UNIVERSITY

SECOND EDITION

SIXTH IMPRESSION

TOTAL ISSUE, 97,500

McGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY, INC.
NEW YORK: 370 SEVENTH AVENUE
LONDON: 6 & S BOUVERIE ST., E.C.4
1924

Page: 1015

A steam-sulphur dioxide system has been used in reciprocating engines. This
extends the temperature range at the lower limit and avoids the necessity
of maintaining a high steam vacuum. As Worked out by Josse, the steam
expands to about 3 lb. abs. (142 deg. fahr.) and on condensation generates
sulphur dioxide vapor at about 160 lb. per sq. in. This vapor expands down
to about 50 lb. per sq. in. (70 deg. fahr.) before it is condensed. To
reduce steam to the same temperature would require the maintenance of a
vacuum of 29.3 in., which is impracticable in a reciprocating engine. The
sulphur dioxide engine is of small bulk as a result of its high pressure.
Added as a third cylinder to a compound steam engine, it has increased the
power output and thermal efficiency about 50 per cent.


Cute! This would certainly make small power plants far more economically
feasible!

But we still need an economical, reliable, and efficient engine. Can the
Tesla Turbine be the answer??

It certainly looks like a simple turbine to build. And no reason for not
having at least the same reliability as any modern turbine.

The only question is just how it shapes up in over all efficiencies in
converting a working fluids moving energy to mechanical motion.

There -- I hope I have defined "efficiency" sufficiently for the purposes
at hand.

The next installments will be reviewing state of the art results regarding
applying the Tesla Turbine to power generation from a moving working fluid.
Be it steam or refrigerant!

Peter in Belize
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