Aquaponics Digest - Sun 04/29/01
Message 1: RE: Unlinking Systems
from "Taylors"
Message 2: A little bit more on Stirling Engines
from "TGTX"
Message 3: More Stirling Links
from "TGTX"
Message 4: Re: More neat stuff on Stirling Engines
from marc 'at' aculink.net
Message 5: Re: Unlinking Systems
from "Meir Leshem"
Message 6: Re: Unlinking Systems - Biodigestor construction
from "Meir Leshem"
Message 7: Re: Unlinking Systems
from kris book
Message 8: Neat Animation of Bourke Engine
from "TGTX"
Message 9: Re: Unlinking Systems
from "Meir Leshem"
| Message 1
Subject: RE: Unlinking Systems
From: "Taylors"
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 09:20:46 -0400
Just a point of interest I worked for a waste water control plant back in my
younger days and the concepts used in the waste water process sounds similar
to the process used here. Waste water influent was pumped into settling
tanks by gas powered engines(much the same as car engines). The solids
settled out and were pumped into enclosed tanks with floating lids. As the
solids were broke down methane gas was produced this gas was then used to
run the influent pumps and the heat off the engines help keep the holding
tanks up to temperature.
-----Original Message-----
From: aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com
[mailto:aquaponics-request 'at' townsqr.com]On Behalf Of kris book
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 10:36 PM
To: aquaponics 'at' townsqr.com
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
Hello Taylor,
I could tell you how I did it but, I'm sure you'd rather hear how I would
do it the next time I am faced with below zero temps. A few things you
really need to garden year round at your latitude are; a well insulated
room with some ventilation for those weeks when the temp never gets above
zero. You will have to move everything that is alive in the greenhouse to
the gro-room before the temp drops to much unless your gro-room is
attached to your greenhouse. Outside winter temps raise hell with plants
in about 30 seconds.
Just as important is a cheap source of electricity. I don't know what
power costs in Canada. Despite what my friend Raul just said about biogas
not being sufficient on its own to power internal combustion engines, I
have seen a generator that is marketed as being able to run for years on
straight biogas. It is called the Capstone model 330, look up
microturbine.com. It is a very expensive machine to purchase but, its
output is 30KW and that's enough power to run a house and 150' of
commercial greenhouse. This machine also makes hot water, forced air
heat, and has water chiller capabilities. So what ever the costs are,
don't mean much because, you can purchase the machine with your increased
profits.
And finally you need gro-lights which burn so hot that you can get a
severe burn from just one touch. These lights were almost always all I
had to use to keep my greenhouse warm all night on the coldest nights.
Only when the sun didn't shine at all for a few days would I be forced to
move my plants to the gro-room. I almost never used my gas heater and the
money spent on lights increased profits, where money spent on heat was
just a hole in the ground to pour money in. There are also about 100
accessories you'll want when you start playing with all these new toys
but, I'll go into that another time.
kris
P.S> If you live near an oil field, this Capstone generator is
advertised to run on the low grade gas that oil fields throw away.
| Message 2
Subject: A little bit more on Stirling Engines
From: "TGTX"
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 11:05:14 -0500
Howdy Folks.
Top O' the Mornin' to one and all. Just sittin' here sipping more coffee,
and thought I would forward more info on this intriguing topic. I have been
fascinated in the potential that Stirling technology offers, and have read
up on it off and on for about the last 5 years or so. Can't say that I have
really immersed myself in it, though, just more of a pop-science interest
that I have. I have often thought, well, if they were so grand a concept,
then why the heck didn't we develop them a century ago? Well, now I am
convinced that we have the right materials and composite materials, demand,
and gumption, etc that could do the job, using solar or biomass energy to
fire the mechanical workings of these type of engines. Maybe not for
automobiles, but maybe for lots of other things.
Here is a little more information on Stirling engines
Stirlings are uniquely suited
to producing very cold temperatures, and are used to make liquid
nitrogen, oxygen, etc. Some of those Stirlings are as big as a bus. At
the other extreme, tiny Stirlings are used in satellites to cool the
image sensors. The next time you look at the weather satellite
pictures, remember that you have a Stirling to thank.'
------------------------
http://www.globalcooling.nl/
High energy efficiency. The Stirling cycle is theoretically able to
achieve the maximum efficiency in cooling, the Carnot efficiency. Global
Cooling has made prototype Stirling Coolers with COPs (= Coefficient of
Performance) of as high as 3.0 between 0 and 30 :C.
To give an idea of what this means in terms of energy consumption:
Global Cooling has done several test installations in order to be able
to measure energy consumption of Stirling refrigerators. Independent
testing of a recent installation in a well insulated 200 liter fridge
showed an average energy consumption of a mere 8 to 9 Watts under
standard conditions (5 :C inside, 25 :C ambient temperature).
Light weight. Global Cooling's present M100A Stirling Cooler prototype
has a weight of only 2,25 kilo. Comparable vapor compressors
conventionally used in refrigerators easily weigh two to three times as
much.
...Basically, the Stirling cooler is a wonder of simplicity, consisting
of a hermetically sealed capsule that contains a small amount of helium
gas and weighs only 2,25 kilos. Within this capsule there are only two
moving components; the piston and the displacer. The piston compresses
and expands the working fluid (helium) and is driven by an AC linear
motor. The displacer shuttles this gas back and forth from the cold side
to the warm side of the cooler. During expansion heat is absorbed at the
cold side and during compression heat is rejected at the hot side.
...In 1983 Professor Ivo Kolin of the University of Zagreb in Croatia
introduced the first low temperature differential Stirling engine. It
ran on the then unheard of low temperature difference of 100 degree C.
Thus began a quest by Dr. Senft of the University of Wisconsin and
Professor Kolin to determine what the practical lower limit for Stirling
engine operation might be.
This ended in 1990 when Dr. Senft.s design established a World record by
operating on a differential of = degree C.
Since that time Dr. Senft.s basic design has been widely copied and is
now probably the most popular design for construction by Stirling engine
enthusist. Some have acknowledged Dr. Senft.s work some have not. In
order to recognize Dr. Senft.s contribution it is suggested to one and
all that this basic design of Stirling engine be designated as the
"Senft Stirling Engine."
------------------------
why we don't have Stirlings in our cars today;
http://www.stirlingcycle.com/FAQ.asp
If Stirling engines are so efficient, why don't I have one in my car?
The best answer for that is to pick the MM-1 engine up after it gets up
to speed.
Notice that it keeps running for a minute or so. While it's very easy to
build a Stirling engine that will stop instantly, there is not one thing
in the world anyone can do to make one start instantly. When I get in my
car I want it to start immediately (if not sooner) and be able to burn
rubber off the tires as I leave the parking lot! Stirling engines can't
do that.
In spite of these limitations, Ford, GM, and American Motors Corp.
spent millions of dollars developing Stirling engines for cars, back in
the 1970's. Ford even built a Stirling that could drive away from the
curb (with relatively low power) twenty seconds after you turned the
start key! Many prototypes were built and tested.
Then oil prices came down in the 1980's, and people started to buy
bigger cars. Suddenly there was no compelling reason to build an engine
that was substantially more efficient than internal combustion engines,
but wouldn't start instantly. Here is a picture of a 1979 AMC Spirit. It
was equipped with an experimental Stirling engine powerplant called the
"P-40". The Spirit was capable of burning gasoline, diesel, or gasohol.
The P-40 Stirling engine promised less pollution, 30% better mileage,
and the same level of performance as the car's standard internal
combustion engine. [From "An Introduction to Stirling Engines"]
The French Research Sub Saga is Stirling engine powered... Stirling
engines would work exceptionally well in places like auxiliary power
generation on pleasure boats (see Whisper Tech Ltd.) , where their
silence and efficiency would be valued and good cooling water is
available. They would also work very well in airplanes where the air
gets colder as the plane climbs to altitude. There is no aircraft power
plant (jets included) that gets any improvement in any operating
conditions from climbing. Stirling engines won't lose as much power as
they climb as do either piston engines or jets. Also wouldn't you like
to have silent airplanes with very efficient engines that also have
exceedingly low vibration levels?
------------------------
Every Stirling engine has a sealed cylinder with one part hot and the
other cold. The working gas inside the engine (which is often air,
helium, or hydrogen) is moved by a mechanism from the hot side to the
cold side. When the gas is on the hot side it expands and pushes up on a
piston. When it moves back to the cold side it contracts.
Properly designed Stirling engines have two power pulses per revolution,
which can make them very smooth running. Two of the more common types
are two piston Stirling engines and displacer-type Stirling engines. The
two piston type Stirling engine has two power pistons. The displacer
type Stirling engine has one power piston and a displacer piston.
VERY COOL animations of a Stirling in operation;
http://www.stirlingcycle.com/Displacer-Anim.asp
http://www.stirlingcycle.com/TwoPiston-Anim.asp
------------------------
who says we have it better? check out this Stirling fan that was sold
and used around the world before the common electrical grid was
available, you can STILL BUY THESE (about $345USD) plus shipping!
http://www.stirlingfans.8k.com/
------------------------
test tube rhombic version;
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/5465/ttr/ttr.html
slick animation;
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/5465/ttr/page3.html
Have a grand weekend.
I am off to harvest a set of solar hot water panels in the wilds of suburban
Austin.
Wish me luck.
Blessings....may you have many harvests.
Ted
| Message 3
Subject: More Stirling Links
From: "TGTX"
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 16:34:57 -0500
Stirling Links
http://www.bekkoame.or.jp/~khirata/english/others.htm
http://cust.iamerica.net/hamcom96/stirlng3.htm
http://www.saic.com/energy/solar/
http://www.bekkoame.or.jp/~khirata/
http://www.bekkoame.or.jp/~khirata/english/gallery.htm
http://www.ultranet.com/~lynliss/a20stir.html
http://www.ccsi.com/~mlg/
http://www6.norfolk.infi.net/~babcock/stirling.html
| Message 4
Subject: Re: More neat stuff on Stirling Engines
From: marc 'at' aculink.net
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 17:26:19 -0600
Try
http://www.ucolick.org/~de/StirlingEngines.html
| Message 5
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
From: "Meir Leshem"
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 02:38:58 +0200
Dear kris
Reading all of the Debating, please post links where to get the
information about building a biodigester which complys with USDA
generating biofertilizer and biogas with zero effluent discharge.
Meir
Israel
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
----- Original Message -----
From: kris book
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 9:04 PM
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
> Dear Raul,
>
> I think that, what I didn't understand was the man, not the words. After
> reading your kind and informative responses to my tactless question to
> Jacky(on the bio-digester list), I find it necessary to add a personal
> apology to the one that I gave to the IBS list for not taking a little
> more time to formulate a question without brining an unknown third party
> into the equation, especially when that third party had already chosen
> not to speak to the rest of the list. To begin with I was a little
> confused by your web site, which I read for the first time about a year
> ago. I remembered that you had said that a commercial bio-digester needed
> to be engineered by an expert and if you knew me better, you'd know that
> my ears prick up like a pit bull when someone tells me that I can't do
> something by myself. And if memory serves correctly, you later made
> mention of your "hydor site" and said that digesters were explained at
> your site. When I returned to your site it appeared to be the same thing
> I had already read but, really didn't understand, so when I got to the
> part about needing an expert I made a rash assumption about something
> like, this guy must need to make money because he is only partly
> explaining what going on. I am now forced by your kind actions and my own
> code to say,"You are a great asset to mankind and you have my total
> respect!"
>
> Namaste,
> kris book
> krisbook 'at' juno.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
| Message 6
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems - Biodigestor construction
From: "Meir Leshem"
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 02:41:40 +0200
The sites are not dispayed, can you add them?
meir
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
----- Original Message -----
From: Adriana Gutierrez
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 12:31 AM
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems - Biodigestor construction
> Juan,
>
> Simple biodigesters don't completely digest the manures, leaving some
> residual slurries. Complete, or multi-phase digesters provide
> complete disgestion leaving biofertilizer. Most of the simple
> biodigesters in the literature are intended for gas production rather
> than biofertilizer production. Even so, a multi-phase digester is
> not too expensive either.
>
> Adriana
>
> > Building and operating a simple biodigestor isn't expensive or
> complicated
> > as you can find out at the following sites.
>
>
| Message 7
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
From: kris book
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 18:31:12 -0600
Meir,
This discussion wasn't about USDA until someone brought it up at the end.
Fact is, that I find the organic standards are set so low that I'm hoping
someone comes up with a higher standard to judge the purity of food. And
when I got this whole thing going, it was me that was searching for that
same web site that you're asking about. There's been an e-mail seminar
going on for a few months concerning bio-digesters. My wife is in the
hospital for sixth time this year so I've only had time to put the 300(?)
posts into folders and skim read a few. There's a couple of other people
on this list that have more info, if they would like to speak. If you
don't get your answer, ask again and I'll hunt down some info for you.
kris book
kris 'at' juno.com
| Message 8
Subject: Neat Animation of Bourke Engine
From: "TGTX"
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 19:33:28 -0500
Pretty cool animation of the Bourke Engine Design.
http://www.bourke-engine.com/ani.htm
Fuel for thought.
Tedzo
| Message 9
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
From: "Meir Leshem"
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 04:22:38 +0200
Hi Kris
THANKS for your response.
I do hope things will turn good with your wifes health
Keep up the good work and let me the address requested WHEN you jave the
time for it
Meir
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
----- Original Message -----
From: kris book
To:
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 2:31 AM
Subject: Re: Unlinking Systems
> Meir,
>
> This discussion wasn't about USDA until someone brought it up at the end.
> Fact is, that I find the organic standards are set so low that I'm hoping
> someone comes up with a higher standard to judge the purity of food. And
> when I got this whole thing going, it was me that was searching for that
> same web site that you're asking about. There's been an e-mail seminar
> going on for a few months concerning bio-digesters. My wife is in the
> hospital for sixth time this year so I've only had time to put the 300(?)
> posts into folders and skim read a few. There's a couple of other people
> on this list that have more info, if they would like to speak. If you
> don't get your answer, ask again and I'll hunt down some info for you.
>
> kris book
> kris 'at' juno.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
|
