[Study] Solar Steam Pump

[Joe Flachy]

Hello,
Context: I have a pool fed by a source with a flow rate of 1l / min. This basin is located 40cm below the level of my garden, hence the need to pump in to water.

The idea: To make a solar collector capable of producing steam to operate a piston pump (can be manufactured too, as long as it is done). I will be told that a photovoltaic panel and a pump 12V will do the job but I just do not want

I will share here the doc found and will be happy to read your remarks.

[1] When the steam engines were ... solar!, Philippe Gauthier, 5 June 2016, https://voir.ca/philippe-gauthier/2016/ ... -solaires/
[2] An innovative solar steam generator, http://mavoiescientifique.onisep.fr/un- ... -innovant/

[izentrop]

Hello,
So you will have to make a parabolic system and stirling engine

Good luck

[chatelot16]

if you have the means to make a small solar steam machine you do it ... if you do not have the means it is easier to buy a solar panel and a commercially available electric pump

20 years ago I said the opposite, I found photovoltaics too expensive and I thought that the realization of good little steam engine should be profitable ... but no! the price of photovoltaic has regularly dropped ... and the price of realization of small machine is out of profitability

[phil53]

The simplest you gave the solution, if you seek the pleasure of DIY, I advise you to study the principle of the fountain of Héon if your ground to a vertical drop.
By agreeing to lose half the flow of your source, I think it's playable.
Modernized fountain of course to compensate for losses. A small electrical system probably necessary.
A track that I have not tried at all so think before you start.

[phil53]

Or a system with a double bucket wheel.
Fixed receivers whose mass serves to mount the lesser mass of others.
1m of unevenness you must be able to mount 1m but loss of flow of course.

[Joe Flachy]

Thank you for the comments !
izentrop: Stirling engine, why not but it may require a lot (too much) of focus work.
chatelot16: I'm not looking for a cheap system but a system on which I would have the whole hand, that I am able to repair it and that it can still turn in 20 years.
phil53: the fountain of Héron works in closed circuit ... The wheel with buckets should have for diameter the height of raising, it is a little bulky.

There might be a way to modify a mower-type engine to work with steam

Or it could be a system that would directly draw water into a pipe with a jet of steam like underwater vacuums that have a stream of water propelled by a jet of air. https://www.ird.fr/recherche/santo2006/ ... uceuse.htm

I also have the hydraulic ram in mind but given the available flow it makes a tiny system. http://www.belier-inox.fr/

[oli 80]

Good evening, here is an association that manufactures this kind of engine and solar steam pumps

and here is the youtube channel of this association https://www.youtube.com/user/practicafoundation

You will find your happiness

good night

[Joe Flachy]

Thank you oli 80, there does not seem to be any doc on their site (they put forward photovoltaic systems) but the proof is there that it can work. In view of the flow rates obtained compared to the one I have (I do not want to dry my pond so I do not pump more than the source brings) I will not need a parable very large. I'm going to do some calculations to try to find the yield.

[Joe Flachy]

Here is a calculation that gives an idea of ​​the capabilities of a solar system for watering:

Capacités.xlsx

(16.44 KB) Downloaded times 495

Example:

Diameter parabola 0,30 m
Solar irradiation 1 kW.h / m² / year
80% optical efficiency
Thermal yield 50%
Mechanical efficiency 50%
Initial water temperature 10 ° C
Effective operating pressure 5,0 bar
Need annual watering 20 l / m²

Total yield 20%
Parabolic area 0,07 m²
Energy received by the dish 318 kJ / year
Absolute operating pressure 6,0 bar
Vaporization temperature 159 ° C
149 K temperature difference
Thermal mass capacity of liquid water 4,18 kJ / (kg.K)
Heat required to bring water to boiling point 622 kJ / kg
Latent heat of vaporization 2 kJ / kg
Mass of evaporated water 47 kg / year
Vapor density 0,32 m³ / kg
Volume of steam produced 15 m³ / year
Volume of pumped water 7 m³ / year
Waterproof surface 370 m²
Daily average 20 l / day

[paul_f5hpq]

Hello Joe,
the subject is not bad, of course, but it is and will always be topical.
Where did you get since this study.
Your Excel table is very practical and saves time in calculations.
I could see that a serious installation must have a large diameter sensor, because the yields are often modest and the tracking must be perfect in case of high concentration.
For my part, I go around in circles on these subjects, I finally have parables allowing me to obtain realistic powers (1,20m + 1,50m Offset + 2m Prime focus + 0,8 offset), I should be able to pass to action in the coming months.
Your return (even without success) will be very interesting.
Sincerely.
Pol