Corn Burning Furnace

[jimgerken]

And a shot of the two mocked up together.

 

[Gatorboy]

Just a suggestion, but if you would create an image about 600x800 through compression, you will have a much better quality image than trying to create such a large image.

 

[jimgerken]

Sure open to suggestions on the pic thing. When I click on the link, it opens to be about 1/3 of the screen, along the left side of the screen. And the image looks good enough to make out the details. Are you seeing something different?

 

[srossman]

if you're using IE, then you should be able to hold the cursor over the picture you will should see a couple of toolbars. One in the upper left corner with a print, save and some other options, and one in the lower right corner. If you click the one in the lower right corner, it should expand the picture to be a full size.

 

[DanR67]

Winchester & Co -

I bought a wood pellet / corn boiler a few years back - had some fancy plans for it because we really love our wood pellet stove....but have never connected the boiler. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

For what it's worth - here's the website of the boiler manufacturer - you can also download the operator manuals (PDF files) - maybe that will give someone ideas re: controls / plumbing.

Pinnacle Stoves

Hope that helps. Really love pellet heat - check out Pellet Fuels Institute for more pellet-fuel related info.

Dan

PS I have the TPB 150 model (3 yrs old - but unused) 4 sale - if anyone interested send me a PM.

 

[Winchester]

jimgerken:

Have you decided on controls and drives yet?

 

[DavidVT]

I've been working on making a controller for my old Vermont Castings Pellet Stove. This is using an inexpensive PLC (www.tri-plc.com ). I am using the $69 E10 for my stove. If I have any success I will let you know. This might be a way to go if you are or have an electronics person with computer experience to customize and wire it up for you!
Another URL to investigate, where I got some ideas, is:
http://www.vermontficks.org/pelletd.htm

 

[jimgerken]

No, havent thought that far ahead. That link has some good stuff on it.
I have temporarily stalled while thinking throught the serviceability of the stoker burner. One thing I am puzzled about is the use of bearings on the stoker shafts. I have seen one design that didnt use any bearing on the ash end of the stoker auger, and I couldnt see the other end. Even if I try to isolate the bearings' mounting from the endplate, the shaft itself will conduct heat to the bearing.
When the burn pot is worked out, next it is on to the boiler vessel. THEN I would be ready to choose gearmotors for augers, fan for air, controller, solenoids, limit switches, etc. Looks like it will be next winter before I get any heat out of this thing. It really is a big project.

 

[Winchester]

David:

I wrote a sample RLL program for what I have in mind. Because I wanted more than two auger run times (actually would like seven) I decided to go with the H-Series PLC (T28H-Relay.)

Here's some input details:

-Eight Position Rotary Switch (0=off, 1~7=corresponding timer logic)
-Auger Drive Momentary Switch (to engage auger to fill pot)
-Combustion Blower Momentary Switch (to engage combustion blower when lighting)
-Thermostat (ordinary household thermostat, if calling for heat will allow auger and combustion blower high to run, if not calling for heat then only combustion blower low will run)
-Over Heat Protection Switch (when activated will stop auger and combustion blower but will run the plenum blower to drop temp)
-Plenum Heat Rise Switch (engages plenum blower once at a desired temp)

Here's some output details:

-Auger Drive (set for seven different on/off intervals depending on position of rotary switch, disengaged if thermostat is not calling for heat)
-Combustion Blower (2-speed, runs in low if thermostat is not calling for heat and high if thermostat is calling for heat)
-Plenum Blower (energized once heat exchanger reaches desired temp, will also energize if the Over Heat Protection Circuit is activated)

I wrote this using WinTRiLOGI 3.52 if you want to take a look and use the Simulation mode to play with the inputs and corresponding outputs. The timers are arbitrary at this point and can be easily changed. Just have to remember that the Rotary Switch can only be in one position at a time. Use the right mouse button to turn on an input indefinately and the left mouse button to turn it on momentary.

Let me know what you think...