View Single Post
Old 07-10-2010, 11:59 AM   #135 (permalink)
Patrick
Master EcoModder
 
Patrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Florida, USA
Posts: 510

Hot Tamale - '10 Toyota Prius III
Thanks: 27
Thanked 96 Times in 70 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
My thoughts to back to a home made turbine and some simple piping with a pipe plug and hole drilled in it. Thoughts on the high pressure low flow vs low pressure high flow?
I think a turbine would have to be very precisely made - probably beyond the capability of home-made tech. Also, I think it would have to run at a very high speed to make any usable power, necessitating a gearbox to reduce rpm to match that of the alternator.

IMO, an easier system (and more likely to work), would be to use a positive-displacement engine (a small lawnmower, weedeater, or chainsaw engine) and convert it for use with steam. The rpm ranges match the alternator more closely and most of the precision parts are already machined.

Here's an example of a converted two-stroke engine. Of course this would need much more refinement. http://www.youtube.com/user/GREENPOW...12/dI-Zl7nEzA8
  Reply With Quote