Re: GAS-L: Engine Experience

[Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm@ca.inter.net>]

Dear Harmon

Harmon Seaver wrote:
> 
>
> > 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.
> 
Is there anybody manufacturing Tesla Turbines? What is
their efficiency?

> > 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.

I understand that as an "expansion engine" a
conventional steam turbine has an efficiency of about
85%. Would you agree or disagree with this? 
What would be a comparable "expansion engine
efficiency" for a Tesla Turbine?
> 
...del...> 
> > 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.

Small sized boiler and stove systems are exactly where
you expect the greatest pollution problems. Any decent
sized commercial boiler on biomass can be run with
virtually perfect combustion efficiency, and virtually
zero pollutant (unburned combustibles) escape.

In general, a gasifier requires a better fuel than does
a boiler which, in general, tends to raise the fuel
cost for a gasifier. Say we consider a 100 kW electric
output power plant: would anyone know the cost of a
"Gasifier + engine" system, in comparison to a "Boiler
+ steam turbine" system? 

Another very important consideration is the likely need
for a Stationary Engineer to operate the 100 kW steam
gtenerating plant, while it may be possible to automate
teh gasifier and engine system, to the point that
continuous Staff presence is not required. This would
make a big difference in the cost of power output.
> 
Kindest regards,

Kevin CHisholm

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