A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Biomass boiler and steam power

Hi everyone,

Have you thought about steam power? I know in Florida you may not need the heat, but here in the Northwest it is colder more often than not. I am building a system that uses steam to heat the greenhouse and generate electricity, using yardwaste for the fuel. Augmented with solar power during those rare occasions we get to see the glowing orb in the sky...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adam Shivers on May 11, 2011 at 8:36am

is the yard waste processed? I know some use a hammermill and a pellet mill in this case. Other solutions?

Permalink Reply by Terry Clark on May 11, 2011 at 11:12am

Steam to generate electricity, turbine or piston? high pressure or low ? boilers are State Regulated so be careful!

A hot water boiler is easier to control. The temp to the fish tank as well as zone heating in the greenhouse, and a domestic hot water tap for your own drinking water. keep me informed, I can be useful at times, loads of info, also a lic. boiler operator.

e-mail me directly

Terry

Permalink Reply by Rick Stillwagon on May 11, 2011 at 12:51pm

The waste will be processed into pellets. The boiler is being designed by a boiler maker and assembled by a certified boiler welder. The engine is a "V" piston 16hp at 150 psi. It will also operate the hammermill and pellet mill via pto. Once the boiler is assembled we will have it inspected. I will use the engine to charge the battery bank when the solar panels are incapable of keeping up.

Permalink Reply by Adam Shivers on May 11, 2011 at 2:17pm

nice!-

I need to see pics of this!

Rick Stillwagon said:

The waste will be processed into pellets. The boiler is being designed by a boiler maker and assembled by a certified boiler welder. The engine is a "V" piston 16hp at 150 psi. It will also operate the hammermill and pellet mill via pto. Once the boiler is assembled we will have it inspected. I will use the engine to charge the battery bank when the solar panels are incapable of keeping up.

Permalink Reply by Terry Clark on May 11, 2011 at 3:26pm

awesome you gotta send pic's. where did you get the engine? if the price is right steam is a good way to go, i have considered it for projects but couldn't find a good engine at the right price.

Permalink Reply by Rick Stillwagon on May 11, 2011 at 4:32pm

I am importing the engine from India. It is a major pain in the butt. But once I have it, I have a machine shop where I will be reproducing it in small quantities. The engine is about $3,000.00, I am not sure how much it will be to get it through customs yet.

Permalink Reply by George T on May 11, 2011 at 6:57pm

Yes, I've thought about it but here in Fla we also have lots of sunshine so solar may be more practical. It takes time to tend a fire. I've made a few stoves and a good bit of charcoal and it's a time consuming process. The wasted heat was immense so I can see why you would want to utilize it. Are you building in an auto fuel feeding system? In the book Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, a greenhouse in the N/E was mentioned that used a wood stove to heat the soil in the greenhouse. That was interesting. It was used only in the spring to get an early start on tomatoes. Good luck.