So I grabbed a trial copy of my favourite CAD package (Cobalt by Ashlar) this weekend, and sat down to sketch out the primary assembly for the Heliostatic array.
Lets just say that Windows is not an acceptable CAD environment and leave this post rated G, shall we?
CAD sketches of Rev 1 will be coming SHORTLY.
I also recovered 8 "reflectors" from a few dead hard drives i had lying around. I'm kicking myself becaue I had scavenged the magnets from a few others in early december, and didnt think to store the platters at the time.
Only 500 or so to go.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Project Tiger-Eye
Had some interesting thoughts this morning in the shower regarding this modular, low-tech Carnutt furnace project. I need to look into phase-change salts again.
Also, I understand that the target heat exchanger needs to be insulated from the exterior so that it won't suffer heat loss due to the ambient and the wind. Especially given a hemispherical target like we want, I wonder if we want the underside protected as well. how much energy loss will that introduce? Is it worth it? So many questions and tests to run. I think the hemispherical target should be shaped to fit a Pyrex mixing bowl. How's that for low-tech?
I was also wondering about the cold return line. All the systems I see use a pump system. I wonder if there is some sort of pressurized or convection system that could be used to assist in this and reduce reliance on such an energy losing venture. Perhaps if there is a ready supply of pressurized cold water (from a water tower or municipal system), a series of one way valves (or tesla style 'valvular conduits'?!?!) could be introduced to boost the cold side, while the post-turbine condenser collected water could be used to complement other passive heat extraction systems (hot water heat for a house, maybe).
The problem with this design trend is that it moves the system away from a self-contained system. On the other hand, it seems smart to use whatever benefits are available, and allow the system to run at a potentially lower, but self-contained mode when necessary.
Lots of CAD to finish up this weekend.
Also, need to find a cheap/free source for used/garbage Hard drives. Will reclaim their platters, magnets and motors, and use the casings for smelting.
(As an aside, why aren't houses designed to use DC voltage throughout? Sheesh.)
Also, I understand that the target heat exchanger needs to be insulated from the exterior so that it won't suffer heat loss due to the ambient and the wind. Especially given a hemispherical target like we want, I wonder if we want the underside protected as well. how much energy loss will that introduce? Is it worth it? So many questions and tests to run. I think the hemispherical target should be shaped to fit a Pyrex mixing bowl. How's that for low-tech?
I was also wondering about the cold return line. All the systems I see use a pump system. I wonder if there is some sort of pressurized or convection system that could be used to assist in this and reduce reliance on such an energy losing venture. Perhaps if there is a ready supply of pressurized cold water (from a water tower or municipal system), a series of one way valves (or tesla style 'valvular conduits'?!?!) could be introduced to boost the cold side, while the post-turbine condenser collected water could be used to complement other passive heat extraction systems (hot water heat for a house, maybe).
The problem with this design trend is that it moves the system away from a self-contained system. On the other hand, it seems smart to use whatever benefits are available, and allow the system to run at a potentially lower, but self-contained mode when necessary.
Lots of CAD to finish up this weekend.
Also, need to find a cheap/free source for used/garbage Hard drives. Will reclaim their platters, magnets and motors, and use the casings for smelting.
(As an aside, why aren't houses designed to use DC voltage throughout? Sheesh.)
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
random resources
- http://www.pro-lite.uk.com/Light/Labsphere/lab_mats.html
- http://www.pfonline.com/articles/web110202.html
- http://yarchive.net/metal/anodizing.html
- http://www.pfonline.com/articles/090501.html
- http://www.edmundoptics.com/techSupport/DisplayArticle.cfm?articleid=259
- http://www.lindsaybks.com/arch/turbine/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_turbine
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/home.htm
I would really like to see some more literature on this opposed rotational disc-pack pump.
recycled reflectors
I have finished several iterations of a parabolic reflector array design now, and have settled on one that is cheap, simple and modular, and relatively lightweight.
We will be testing out production of one section of the parabolic array in the coming weeks.
On to reflector design. Because we want to capture heat energy, rather than just visible light, from the sun, the reflector material should 'reflect' this choice...
Gold baby, gold.
Gold has a relatively High IR band reflectivity, while slightly lower visible spectrum and UV reflection. Other options are silver, or aluminum. reflection coatings can be applied over these materials to increase their efficiency.
I would love to test energy capture with different materials, but to do so could be expensive - having materials sourced, cut, coated, polished...
Unless we had a ready source of cheap reflector substrates... which we do. CD's are perfectly shaped for our needs. The largest drawback is their acrylic nature. However, electroplating on plastics is possible (actually, its electro-less and then electro-plating...)
But his seems overly complicated for "rev 1", so another source will be pursued, with this idea of metal plating CD's to be investigated later. (nickel plating substrate and then electroplating. can metallic evaporates be polymer adhered in a vacuum?)
Hard drive platers.
These 3" discs are pretty reflective on their own, but electro-plating them with Gold and applying a reflective clearcoat would be a neat test.
As an added benefit, both of these reflectors come ready made with holes in the center. Which is great, because these holes can be used to help affix and align the reflectors.
Quick CAD sketches to come this weekend.
We will be testing out production of one section of the parabolic array in the coming weeks.
On to reflector design. Because we want to capture heat energy, rather than just visible light, from the sun, the reflector material should 'reflect' this choice...
Gold baby, gold.
Gold has a relatively High IR band reflectivity, while slightly lower visible spectrum and UV reflection. Other options are silver, or aluminum. reflection coatings can be applied over these materials to increase their efficiency.
I would love to test energy capture with different materials, but to do so could be expensive - having materials sourced, cut, coated, polished...
Unless we had a ready source of cheap reflector substrates... which we do. CD's are perfectly shaped for our needs. The largest drawback is their acrylic nature. However, electroplating on plastics is possible (actually, its electro-less and then electro-plating...)
But his seems overly complicated for "rev 1", so another source will be pursued, with this idea of metal plating CD's to be investigated later. (nickel plating substrate and then electroplating. can metallic evaporates be polymer adhered in a vacuum?)
Hard drive platers.
These 3" discs are pretty reflective on their own, but electro-plating them with Gold and applying a reflective clearcoat would be a neat test.
As an added benefit, both of these reflectors come ready made with holes in the center. Which is great, because these holes can be used to help affix and align the reflectors.
Quick CAD sketches to come this weekend.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Pre-Apocolyptic Power Preparation
"the end is near"
Maybe, maybe not. One thing is certain, many of us dislike the direction this over-sized hand basket is headed. Do we take the oft trodden path of the apathetic drone; shrug, proclaim there is nothing we can do, and vainly hope for the nirvana of ignorance?
The obligation to pursue any available avenue off that beaten track is overwhelming. As part of this quest for minimalism and harmony, I have vowed to begin a compendium of resources and to publish something of a 'project journal' for some of the less hair-brained schemes that I get myself embroiled in.
Apart from some land, a cabin and shop and time to build a comfortable and sustainable abode... off-grid renewable power seems like the next largest hurdle to overcome.
With that in mind, I have begun investigating solar powered, steam turbine electricity generation. The rough shape of this involves four primary components:
The imposition of a desired 'low-tech' component is not without caveats. Parts may be machined with lathe and/or milling techniques. These tools are considered 'survivable' in an off-grid scenario, as they can be manufactured with minimal existing technology. Welding, or at least brazing, seems to be a reasonable allowance, as long as the design can reasonably accommodate a 'drill and bolt' downgrade.
Improvements on the final product may be undertaken using existing high-tech techniques and resources (such as Epoxy and FRP construction) but the initial product should stand on its own and not require these improvements for acceptable everyday use.
Initial readings and resources:
And some initial thoughts based on these readings:
Maybe, maybe not. One thing is certain, many of us dislike the direction this over-sized hand basket is headed. Do we take the oft trodden path of the apathetic drone; shrug, proclaim there is nothing we can do, and vainly hope for the nirvana of ignorance?
The obligation to pursue any available avenue off that beaten track is overwhelming. As part of this quest for minimalism and harmony, I have vowed to begin a compendium of resources and to publish something of a 'project journal' for some of the less hair-brained schemes that I get myself embroiled in.
Apart from some land, a cabin and shop and time to build a comfortable and sustainable abode... off-grid renewable power seems like the next largest hurdle to overcome.
With that in mind, I have begun investigating solar powered, steam turbine electricity generation. The rough shape of this involves four primary components:
- Solar reflector and heat exchanger (Carnutt furnace)
- Closed-Loop, pressurized steam delivery and collection system
- Steam driven Tesla Turbines with attached generators
- Solar tracking mechanism
The imposition of a desired 'low-tech' component is not without caveats. Parts may be machined with lathe and/or milling techniques. These tools are considered 'survivable' in an off-grid scenario, as they can be manufactured with minimal existing technology. Welding, or at least brazing, seems to be a reasonable allowance, as long as the design can reasonably accommodate a 'drill and bolt' downgrade.
Improvements on the final product may be undertaken using existing high-tech techniques and resources (such as Epoxy and FRP construction) but the initial product should stand on its own and not require these improvements for acceptable everyday use.
Initial readings and resources:
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/toc.htm
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/articles/ptbc19a.htm
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/articles/ptbc22a.htm
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/articles/ptbc36.htm
- http://phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/articles/ptbc39.htm
- http://www.phoenixnavigation.com/ptbc/articles/ptbc48.htm
- http://www.teslaengine.org/main.html
- http://www.instructables.com/id/E5R0LEN6OFEP287CZL/?ALLSTEPS
- http://www.theworkshop.ca/energy/energy.htm
- http://www.otherpower.com/
- http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/3_phase_basics.htm
And some initial thoughts based on these readings:
- Hard drive platters would seem to be viable reflectors. Alternatively, CD's electroplated with a silver or gold finish. Rough sketches to follow of ideas for a simplistic method of managing off-axis reflector alignment for a circular, solar Cornutt Furnace. (anticipated 12' diameter)
- Is there some way to calculate what the anticipated temperature will be at the heat exchanger target (focal point)? If so can we calculate what the diameter should be for our reflector array, in order to achieve the desired temperatures for our closed loop steam turbine system? (and also help determine what liquid/gas to expect to use inthe system)
- A milled, parabolic concave copper target would seem to be an ideal heat exchanger target - high temperature capacity and transmission, milled fluid pathways designed to maximize heat transmission. Multi-plate design, bolted together with an insulated backing plate (ceramic or other?)
- Alternatively and/or in conjunction with above - phase change salt bath may be an interesting way to normalize temperatures throughout the heat exchanger target.
- Possibility for multiple steam loops off of heat exchanger? (with corresponding independent turbines and generators)
- A mechanized (spring or weighted pendulum (clockwork)) powered predictive solar tracking system would seem to be ideal. Rough sketches to follow.
- Investigate methods for dropping condensed, cold side flow to below ambient (to increase temperature delta and available power) should be investigated... obviously passive cooling techniques, but what about underground or underwater immersion, evaporative cooling, different liquids...
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