Talk Me Out of It...

[farmerden]

Complete with 20 ft stack! Might have to run some guy-lines Wes It's a long way to send your money isn't it? Den

[SailorHarry]

Complete with 20 ft stack! Might have to run some guy-lines Wes It's a long way to send your money isn't it? Den

I posted some more details and prices in a new thread.

Keep in mind that his steam plants are intended primarily for rural electrification. He told me of how he has setup a steam-driven generator in a remote village. They burn agricultural waste and run the boiler about four hours per night. The village has never has electricity before but thanks to the power and simplicity of steam they do now. Western industry has no interest in serving this market but small scale operations like this could bring electric lights to millions of people in the undeveloped world.

Its definitely a long way to send one's money, but I have emailed with him extensively and can vouch for his legitimacy. I'd be thrilled if someone on the forum were to buy one of his engines and give a review, but regardless I will be purchasing one of my own hopefully in the next few months.

Peace,
Harry

[SailorHarry]

What a list! A variety like modern cell phones.

Would be interesting to see some pictures of the fittings like the water gauge.

Maybe you could ask for such detail pictures - also from the housing etc.

Some dimensions? Weight?

Hello. Mr. Desai sent me some links to YouTube videos of his engines in operation, they may show the boiler in the background. Also if you look on his website you will find a few low quality pictures.

For 2hp and 18hp- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54s4vg3IgYg
 
For 2hp, 8hp, 18hp- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxW3a3eZF

[Edit] One link may be broken, but you can find it from the YouTube page for the other. 

I believe the engines shown are in an earlier development stage when he was working out his Stephenson link. Also note the airflow problems with his boiler, all the smoke coming out the doors. We discusses that issue and I suggested eliminating the holes in the doors and adding an ash pit door for primary combustion air. We haven't spoken recently but I expect he has made some advances since the videos were taken.

Also I have some dimension and weight data for his smaller boiler of about 50 sq ft heating surface. The exterior dimensions are about 36" deep by 52" wide by 36" high (1m x 1.3m x 1m). He quotes a dry weight of 300 kg or 660 pounds. We calculated a water capacity of about 11 gallons (steam drum half full of water). I'm not sure how to scale up for a 100 sq ft boiler.

Peace,
Harry

[farmerden]

Harry -It appears there is no crosshead guide on the two HP engine.I wonder how long it would take to push the bottom seal out of the cylinder? The boiler appears to make ample steam even if it appears very crude.Do they have any Steam rating certificates? Den

[stevey_frac]

Those engines look as though they are intended solely for stationary use. They are quite large footprint wise!

[87gn@tahoe]

I asked for pictures and such, only received the following "boiler certificate sample":

AADHUNIK GLOBAL ENERGY
Tagore Road, Rajkot - 360002, INDIA
Mobile : 91- 92 27 60 65 70 Phone : 91-281-2480166 Fax   : 91-281-2467552
Email  : energy@tinytechindia.com Web  : www.tinytechindia.com

BOILER MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATE
(For Cody Long, Canada)

MAIN BOILER:
Upper header pipe 12" dia x 42" long x 8 mm wall thickness
Lower header pipe 6" dia x 42" long x 6 mm wall thickness
Water tubes 3/4" dia x 28" long x 4 mm wall thickness
No. of water tubes 22 + 23 = 45 tubes on each side connecting from
upper header pipe to lower header pipe = 90 Nos.

Boiler type Yarrow design water tube boiler
Heating surface 101.3 sq ft
Fire grate area 63” x 40” = 17.5 sq ft
Test pressure 450 psi tested on hydraulic testing machine
Working pressure 150 psi
Frame Hut shape frame made of mild steel angles of
40 x 40 x 5 mm resting on base frame of 100 x 50 mm size channels and covered by 16 gauge sheets
SUPERHEATER:
Header pipes 2" dia x 28" long
Steam tubes 3/4" dia x 33" long x 4 mm wall thickness, 15 Nos.
Heating surface 14.5 sq ft
ECONOMIZER :
Header pipes 2" dia x 28" long
Water tubes 3/4" dia x 33" long x 4 mm wall thickness, 15 Nos.
Heating surface 14.5 sq ft
ACCESSORIES :
Pressure gauge, spring loaded safety valve, water level gauge set, spark absorption box, chimney 5" dia x 20 ft long.
INSULATION: Cerawool 1" blanket below the cover sheet supported by 2" x 2" grill of 3 mm wire.
TOTAL HEATING SURFACE: 101.3 sq ft
CUBIC CAPACITY: 96.15+6.46Economizer=102.61Litre
NET WEIGHT (without accessories):565 kg + Fire Grate 171 kg = 736 kg
OVERALL DIMENSION: 80" W x 44" D x 48" H
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2010


RAJKOT, INDIA V K DESAI
DATE: 30-10-2010 MANAGING DIRECTOR

[87gn@tahoe]

Also note the airflow problems with his boiler, all the smoke coming out the doors. We discusses that issue and I suggested eliminating the holes in the doors and adding an ash pit door for primary combustion air.

I think the smoke coming out of the door s more due to the very restrictive funnel. The combustion gasses are just taking the path of least resistance.

[SailorHarry]

Harry -It appears there is no crosshead guide on the two HP engine.I wonder how long it would take to push the bottom seal out of the cylinder? The boiler appears to make ample steam even if it appears very crude.Do they have any Steam rating certificates? Den

Say, you're right. The first time I watched those it was in low resolution on a slow connection. Now that I am looking, the engine "menu" doesn't mention a drip lubricator for the 2hp as it does for the others. Guess that explains why it costs half as much as the 4hp. That's very disappointing, I wonder if a crosshead could be fitted as an upgrade.

[Wearyman]

Say, you're right. The first time I watched those it was in low resolution on a slow connection. Now that I am looking, the engine "menu" doesn't mention a drip lubricator for the 2hp as it does for the others. Guess that explains why it costs half as much as the 4hp. That's very disappointing, I wonder if a crosshead could be fitted as an upgrade.

Considering how "rough and ready" these engines are, I'd imagine that quite a bit of retrofitting would be in order. Although, with most of the truly difficult work done (head and valve casting and machining) stripping down the engine for it's critical parts and then building up a new base with necessary additions shouldn't be too tough.

The 2HP is really nicely priced, even considering it's roughness. A little TLC could make a great little engine out of these.

Not so sure about the boilers though. They seem to have inordinately large footprints. (I'm sure due to the intended application and fuel.) One might be better served going with a home-built or local dealer. Especially with the cost for those boilers being comparable to a locally built one.