A Case for Reinventing the Reciprocating Steam Engine
People think that major steam systems were phased out of society fifty or a hundred years ago.
A popular catchphrase that rolls off certain tongues is that “steam engines are obsolete and
inefficient”. Instinctively, everyone tends to agree.
Sixty years ago I was shepherded to a minor train station in Oak Park to see the last steam
locomotive run in the Chicago area. At that time I was unaware of steam era contributions.
Today we use steam for minor tasks like steam cleaning, pressure cooking, steam ironing and
espresso making. Steam has lost its place in major societal roles … except for one, very
important function that continues to support many cultures throughout the world.
Most people are unaware that 90% of all U.S., and world, electricity is steam generated. When
electricity is produced, if it’s not the 10% hydroelectric dam (or photovoltaic) created energy, then
it’s the 90% steam generated electricity. Collected solar, consolidated nuclear or incinerated
fossil fuels produce the heat that boils the water.
Being thoroughly tested for 250 years, steam still reigns as the most economical means for
converting heat into mechanical energy. Utility companies obviously understand that steam is the
cheapest means for converting heat into electricity. They deal with power plant efficiencies that
include fuel costs. When fuel is free, however, (i.e., solar energy) efficiency is measured in plant
construction, ecology, longevity and maintenance costs.
Steam turbines are used for multi-megawatt electricity generation. Turbines take days to spin up
and days to spin down and are kept running 24/7 as fuel is continuously poured into them.
Reciprocating steam engines, by contrast, can start up and shut down quickly.
Reciprocating engines account for 79% of all electrical generating plant installations. They are
more efficient than turbines below 1mW generating capacity (approximately 200 average
homes). Reciprocating steam engines are excellent for converting solar heat into mechanical
energy that runs electrical generators. When solar is the fuel that boils water, an unbeatably
cheap electricity generating system stands above all the other renewable energy technologies;
solar steam, for instance, is much less expensive than photovoltaics.
Traditional reciprocating steam engine disadvantages include complexity of design, heavy
elements, many different parts, numerous moving components and frictions, piston friction,
lubrication products mixed with steam and water, closed loop water filtering and high
maintenance.
Fortunately a new reciprocating engine was invented that removes these disadvantages and
affordably assists solar thermal electricity generation under 1mW. Designs can be made
available for safe, distributed solar trough electricity generation.
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Vince Kelly
vkelly.steam@gmail.com
P.O. Box 449
Prescott, Arizona 86302