Residental boiler to drive a an electric generator

Cactus · Jul 30, 2005

Is there a small type of boiler that wood could be burnt in it that would in turn run an electric generator by the steam it produces for residental use ??

Egon · Jul 30, 2005

Probably is something that could be cobbled together. Chances are it will not be effiecient or dependable unless there is a stocker in full time attendance.

Probably also need a license to operate the boiler.

A lot more to a boiler than just making steam! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Egon

johnday · Jul 30, 2005

Cactus; Egon is right, it would be very inefficient. To make it work right, you need a condenser, and pump, a means to regulate water level in the boiler, a source for condenser cooling water, and on and on it goes. A turbine you say? Megabucks!! Then you get to the generator, more megabucks. Then you have to have some sort voltage regulator and transformer. Even more megabucks. Not trying to discourage you at all, but man, have you ever been to even a small powerplant? Even a tiny one is quite elaborate. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If your ever up here in the Toledo, Monroe area, get in touch, I'll walk you thru a 3150 MegaWatt plant. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

techman · Jul 30, 2005

To get 7 KW theoretical, you will need 34,000 BTU's. Now add about 70% efficiency for the generator and turbine (if it is a good one) and you need 48,500 BTU's. If your boiler was 80% efficient, wou now need 60,250 BTU's, or about 0.5 gallons of oil/hour. That is a big boiler for a house. All that for just 7 KW. Better and cheaper to buy a gas generator.

paul

Cactus · Jul 31, 2005

( Not trying to discourage you at all, but man, have you ever been to even a small powerplant? )

Years ago I worked in one....but with all of the technology today I did not know if there was anything at all on the market for residental use. IE: These outside wood furnaces that one can heat the water with etc just got me thinking some...it looks like to live off of the grid would take some major $$$$ to get started whether it is solar cell panels or wind mills. Just dreaming I guess.

johnday · Jul 31, 2005

Cactus; That's a dream many of us have. I've thought of using one of those boilers myself when I go full time upnorth, for heating. They're pretty pricey. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Another thing I thought of, a diesel generator. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I could park it up by the neighbors with the 50 dogs, so my wife and I wouldn't hear it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

techman · Jul 31, 2005

I have a diesel gen for backup. There are some nice muffler kits available for them. Mine is in my shed, and when runnuing with the shed door closed, you can hardly hear it. For the quietest operation, get a water cooled model, but they run about twice the price.

paul

thcri · Jul 31, 2005

Johnday,

I am going to add water treatment to your list also. You will need pure water or you will fill the boiler up with contaniments fast.

murph

johnday · Jul 31, 2005

tech; Yes, you can quiet them right down. But I think I'd run a straight pipe, that's what most everyones vehicle has up there. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Besides, if I moved it close enough, I could use it like white noise, you know, one sound drowning out the other? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Jul 31, 2005

Living off the grid is actually quite simple. It's a matter of adjusting your lifestyle.

Don't think the folks 150 years ago knew what the "Grid" was. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon