How much boiler?

[Lakc]

I am trying to deceide if a project is feasible. I would like a steam powered emergency generator that can run say 4000 watts of electrical equipment. Some of the ham radio operators on this board may realize there is a field day bonus for renewable energy.

Now to get 4k watts of power would roughly take 8000 watts of input to a generator. From here on out my experiance is very thin. I doubt a super efficient steam turbine is a likely project, so I am leaning to a triple expansion, but have no idea of a reasonable efficiency factor. From whatever efficiency factor what size boiler would it take to run this?

 

[steamer]

Based on my experience with smallish steam....Id bet on about 10% Efficiency from the firebox to the shaft.........
so if you had a 50% efficient generator
You need 100000 watts or so input.

Make sure you have lots of well seasoned firewood,as green wood doesn't burn well

 

[Maryak]

I'd go even lower than that if it's a reciprocating engine non condensing. At the very very best 6%.

Best Regards
Bob

 

[Lakc]

I found out how well rubber burns while torching a bushing working on my daughters car yesterday.

Thanks for the input folks!

 

[steamer]

And by the way....a "small" boiler is more like 25% efficient.....not the best way to get the job done I'm afraid...

Dave