Re: GAS-L: Engine Experience

[Harmon Seaver <hseaver@cybershamanix.com>]

On Mon, Sep 02, 2002 at 02:45:03AM -0500, Peter Singfield wrote:
> At 02:15 PM 9/1/2002 -0500, Harmon Seaver wrote:
> >  It might also be that using reciprocating IC engines just isn't a good
> idea in
> >the long run -- perhaps turbines, especially the Tesla turbine, could well
> prove
> >to be the most cost effective way to go, and perhaps also with the
> addition of
> >some steam. 
> >
> 
> Or --
> 
> How about a conventional biomass furnace/boiler and steam turbine??
> 
> What purpose gasification??

   To meet emission standards?

> 
> What difference between gasification and well designed combustion furnace??
> 

   I don't know about large-scale industrial furnaces/boilers, but the only
really decent, clean-burning wood fired boilers for homes at least are
gasifiers. Like the Kuenzel and Tarm. 


> What specific advantages are there to going gasification??
> 
> The goal is higher over all thermal efficiencies for a reasonable price
> with at least the reliability of the system to be replaced -- no??
> 
> Tesla turbine superseding the steam turbine??
> 
  The Tesla can be run on steam (most are, in fact) or combustion fired. 


> Seriously -- you joke -- right??
> 

   Not at all. 


> I can detail the problems with steam -- starts with exceptional
> temperatures and pressures to get into the right ball park for high
> "over-all" efficiencies.
> 
> Steam Turbines are only expensive when having to handle those high
> temperatures.
> 

   Thats just one of the ways Teslas are better than conventional turbines --
cheaper to build and last longer. 

> You can marry an Ormat refrigerant working fluid turbine system to any
> conventional bagasse fired boiler -- end up with double the thermal
> efficiencies -- and double the reliability.
> 
> Ormat or any geothermal turbine system.
> 

    Tesla turbines are also run with fluids in this manner.

> And at half the cost of a "gasifier" --
> 
> The name of this game is converting thermal energy in biomass to usable
> "power" at an efficient rate -- reliability for extended periods.
> 
   But you also have to meet clean air standards, at least in the US and Europe,
and I'd think you'd have a bit of trouble doing that if the biomass isn't
gasified, then the gas burned. Even in the small homesized wood burning boilers
you see pretty horrific pollution except with the gasifiers.

   You may well be right about a closed fluid turbine system being the best
solution. 

(rest snipped)


-- 
Harmon Seaver	
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com

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