Re: Torpedo propulsion

Keith, I am sure that you know a lot more about turbines than I, since
I know nothing about them. However, it seems to me that the very
simple system used in the WWII torpedo would be forgiving of
inefficiences due to the flexible nature of the fuel options in a land
based system.

For example, wood or charcoal could be used to heat the water vessel
resulting in the steam to turn the simple turbine. But also cattle
manure, methane, a gasifier's wood gas, coal, solar, etc could all
produce the steam depending on local availability. We have lots of
cattle manure and the process could make distilled water out of dirty
water.

It is a great example of military necessity producing civilian
benefits. More people could benefit from a small 2-5kw generator
operated by a simple steam turbine than have benefited from Teflon, for
example.

But, if you have a microturbine sugggestion I would love to hear about
it.

Neal
cavm@xxxxxxx
27-275-9164

Keith Willshaw wrote:
"Neal" <cavm@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1152460919.856565.278050@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am told that the WWII torpedoes were powered by a very interesting
small steam plant that was fueled by alcohol which produced steam to
drive a couple of counter-rotating turbine disks.

I would be very interested in learning the details of this system in
order to duplicate it for onshore power for small applications. If the
torpedo could be propelled throught the water with this tiny steam
plant, surely a small generator could be operated with this same force.


But not very efficiently, microturbines are a better option.

Keith

.

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