How to create a solor powered working steam turbine?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a solar-powered steam turbine for electricity generation. Participants explore various aspects including the design of the turbine, materials needed, and alternative approaches to harnessing solar energy effectively.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines a plan involving 1200 mirrors to focus sunlight for a steam system but lacks knowledge on turbine construction.
  • Another suggests using small fan blades attached to a spindle within a waterproof cylinder to create a turbine, noting potential low efficiency.
  • There is a query about the feasibility of using computer cooling fan blades for the turbine, with concerns about their durability under steam heat.
  • Some participants propose alternative sources for turbine materials, including superchargers from car dumps and glass shops for mirrors.
  • One participant suggests using a Stirling engine instead of a steam turbine, emphasizing its closed-loop system for efficiency.
  • There are discussions about the effectiveness of using aluminum foil versus mirrors for sunlight concentration, with differing opinions on their reflective qualities.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of concentrated sunlight and the need for a tracking motor for optimal energy capture.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the best materials and designs for the turbine, as well as the effectiveness of different reflective surfaces. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus on the optimal approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the efficiency and reliability of various turbine designs and materials. There are also unresolved questions about the durability of components under high temperatures and the effectiveness of alternative energy capture methods.

douglasg14b
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
I have my solar power planned out...1200 2 inch mirrors on plywood that will be aimed at the sun and will have a focal pint about 4 feet from the board. i know how to make the steam system but i haven't a clue how to make a working turbine to create electricity.
(steam will be the way of spinning the turbine)
(and where might i get the materials for the turbine?)
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
See http://www.snm.co.jp/lecture/turbine_1.html (before the Age of Electricity)
 
acually i am planning on attatching a turbine to an alternator and getting an AC adapter on it to get power from. i just need to know how to make the turbine now
 
Last edited:
Try finding some small fan blades, fix them on a spindle and fit this arrangement as snugly as feasible in a waterproof cylinder, into which you would direct the steam. The spindle would then drive a electric motor-turned-generator. The efficiency and reliability of any cheap "turbine" setup will be quite low.
 
more efficient turbine blades

Loren Booda said:
Try finding some small fan blades, fix them on a spindle and fit this arrangement as snugly as feasible in a waterproof cylinder, into which you would direct the steam. The spindle would then drive a electric motor-turned-generator. The efficiency and reliability of any cheap "turbine" setup will be quite low.


Would I be able to purchase more efficient blades?.it dosn't seem like using fan blades is a usable option they are to big and far to ineficient for my pourposes...i have the ability to creat a tight sealed chamber for the turbine to go into but i am trying to find some small blades that i would be able to use(small as in 3inch and then progressivly smaller as i go allong the tube) that are efficient
enough to be able to provide minimal power to a solar heat operated boiler.


edit:on second thought would fan blades used for computer cooling be used? they seem much more efficient that fan blades...but my question is will they melt of warp in the heat of the steam?

edit:edit: is it possible to find a small alternator that 3 or 4 small blades in the turbine would be able to spin?
 
Last edited:
You may want to post your questions in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering section . . . it looks like you already did!
 
Loren Booda said:
You may want to post your questions in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering section . . . it looks like you already did!

hm? it is posted in there
 
ok then dose anyone have an idea where i might be able to get 1200 2 inch mirrors?
 
hey doug, i don't think computer heat sink fans ll do the job. hmmm, not sure if it ll work, have u thought of any blower fan??
 
  • #10
douglasg14b said:
I have my solar power planned out...1200 2 inch mirrors on plywood

douglasg14b said:
ok then dose anyone have an idea where i might be able to get 1200 2 inch mirrors?

Stick aluminum kitchen foil to the plywood?
 
  • #11
Try to find a supercharger at a car dump this is a nice turbine wheel on a axis with nice bearings!
 
  • #12
turbocharger. Any glass shop.
 
  • #13
yea...no

AlephZero said:
Stick aluminum kitchen foil to the plywood?

um...alephzero putting aluminum foil on a flat surface would no nothing other than give a very poor choppy reflection of the sun in an 4ftx8ft square...im looking for a cheap source of mirrors mirrors so that i can concentrate the sunlight with each mirror so i have 1200 2 inch spots of sunlight focused onto one small area. even if i had a satellite dish and covered it with tin foil it would reflect to the specifications i require.
 
  • #14
douglasg14b said:
I have my solar power planned out...1200 2 inch mirrors on plywood that will be aimed at the sun and will have a focal pint about 4 feet from the board. i know how to make the steam system but i haven't a clue how to make a working turbine to create electricity.
(steam will be the way of spinning the turbine)
(and where might i get the materials for the turbine?)

I think this might be what you are looking for.

http://www.greensteamengine.com/

Please share your plans for the solar steam design as I would like to do this myself.

Happy steaming!
 
  • #15
Strirling engine

I would suggest you to use a Stirling engine instead.
This engine is built on a close circuit where you do not loose the fluid at each stroke.
Lets be green all the way and loose nothing.

LHR
 
  • #16
Here is a thought...

Old satellite dish (I think 40" mesh) with Mylar (98% reflective) attached (formula 77 super glue should do the job). You'll need a tracking motor and control system. Be careful...I think you will get a lot of focused energy.
 
  • #17
laurentien said:
I would suggest you to use a Stirling engine instead.
This engine is built on a close circuit where you do not loose the fluid at each stroke.
Lets be green all the way and loose nothing.

LHR
Virtually all steam engines these days are closed loop and we certainly wouldn't suggest an open loop for this application.
 
Last edited:
  • #18
douglasg14b said:
um...alephzero putting aluminum foil on a flat surface would no nothing other than give a very poor choppy reflection of the sun in an 4ftx8ft square...im looking for a cheap source of mirrors mirrors so that i can concentrate the sunlight with each mirror so i have 1200 2 inch spots of sunlight focused onto one small area. even if i had a satellite dish and covered it with tin foil it would reflect to the specifications i require.
If you keep the foil flat and smooth, I'm not sure why it would perform poorly. Mirrors are very expensive - this, you can try cheaply. At least give it a quick try.
 
  • #19
cmc21us said:
Here is a thought...

Old satellite dish (I think 40" mesh) with Mylar (98% reflective) attached (formula 77 super glue should do the job). You'll need a tracking motor and control system. Be careful...I think you will get a lot of focused energy.
I like it. And yes, good idea to point out that this can get dangerous. Sunlight is 1200 w/m^2, so you can easily concentrate it into something that could burn your eyes or even your skin, start a fire, etc.
 

Similar threads

Calculating Steam Flow in a Nuclear Power Plant Turbine System
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
What is the most efficient way to create steam with the desired properties?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Turbomachinery: number of stages and power of steam turbine
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
Design Steam Turbine for Solar Energy: Math Help Needed
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Can a Self-Feeding Steam Turbine Recycle Its Own Water?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Water injection improves or reduces gas turbine power?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
How does the steam turbine work in a solar thermal power plant?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
Cooling systems in thermal power stations
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Here is a 3D model I made of a large industrial steam turbine
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How to calculate the speed of a steam turbine?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
9K