Wind Energy Turbines
Wind Energy Turbines: Cost Effectiveness
Even though wind energy is not as popular as the other sources of energy, it cannot be denied that its presence really helped a lot of people in cutting down the cost of their electrical bills. This is the very reason why a lot of people are already starting to demand for an existence of this equipment for their own home. As a matter of fact, it can now be said that United States is the leading user of this type of energy source after they took over Germany in 2008. And because of the unusual popularity and attention wind energy has been getting, experts are still continuing to gain more knowledge about it in terms of environmentally and economically as well.
The truth is that when experts begin to fully develop the benefits of using wind energy, a lot of people will realize that it is not only good when it comes to saving the money of people, but it will also be a big benefit to those living in windy areas like ranch owners and farmers. In addition, when this industry has already been developed fully, many people will have an opportunity to be employed.
Another great benefit of this wind energy is that since it is not yet considered as a mainstream source of energy, people can still get a hold of them at a reasonable and affordable price compared to others. These wind energy turbines can be bought by a person who just wants to experience its benefits in his/her own home. This is just a clear indication that a lot of people can still definitely afford it; they do not need to sacrifice their necessities just to be able to accommodate a wind energy turbine in their home.
One more reason why wind energy turbines can be considered as one of the most cost effective equipments for electricity is because they solely depend on wind. This means that even though the prices of fuel and/or oil rise, the industry of wind energy will not be affected. Those people who will depend on wind as the sole source of their electricity will greatly benefit considering that no matter what happens to the prices of oil and fuel, the cost of their electricity will still stay the same.
The most important thing about wind energy and its being cost effective is that it does not harm the environment in any way. It has already been said that it does not need fuel or oil to be able to do its job effectively; this means that it only blends in with the wind that the environment is providing it. Because it does not harm the environment in any way, it does not provoke people to spend thousands of money just to be able to salvage the situation of the environment. This is the most important benefit that wind turbines are giving people; they not only prove to be cost friendly because it also has a good way of dealing with the environment as well.
Solar Turbines
Solar Chimney
A new solar power solution is has been put to the test, and it's been given the go-ahead for production in Australia. It's a solar chimney.
This new solar power station is based on solar tower technology designed in Germany. An incredible thing about this new technology is the simplicity of its design, and its ingenious use of basic principles of physics to create energy.
So what is this new solar energy plant?
Also referred to as a solar chimney, this new solar tower uses solar energy in order to turn wind turbines.
Solar energy to turn wind turbines?
How does this work?
Well, the simplest way to describe it is to compare it to a huge greenhouse with a large chimney.
As we all know, hot air rises.
The greenhouse within the solar chimney system captures the heat of the sun. The heated air in the greenhouse is then allowed to escape through a huge chimney.
Before the air escapes through the chimney, it is forced to pass through wind turbines, which are in turn used to generate electricity. You can see a diagram of it here.
The beauty of this technology is that it uses centuries-old tried-and-true principles of updraft. This is the same principles used for chimneys in open fire places. The reason your house doesn't fill up with smoke when you light a fire in your fireplace, is due to the suction created by the hot air rising up through the chimney. This pulls the smoke up through the chimney as well.
But in the case of the solar tower, we are not using a fire to create hot air. We are simply allowing the sun to do its thing: heat stuff up. In this case, the sun heats the air up, and the air then rises through the solar chimney as a result.
Australia is the first country to build this type solar energy power plant for commercial use.
The central tower will be over 3000 feet high and 400 feet in diameter.
It will use 750,000 cubic yards of concrete.
The solar energy collector (greenhouse) will contain thirty-million square yards of space. That's over three and a half miles in diameter.
It will have 32 wind turbines placed at ground level, each capable of creating 6.25 megawatts of electricity.
It will take 34 months to construct.
It will provide a total of 200 megawatts, enough to provide solar energy in the form of electricity, for over 200,000 households.
The solar tower will create absolutely no carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, or other pollutants in its energy generation process. In other words, it is going to be completely and 100% eco-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Would adding wind turbines and solar panels to utility poles be feasible to replace current electricity?
We already have utility poles and the wires and such. Why couldn't we just add a wind turbine , solar panels, converter and battery and just convert the whole system. Instead of living off grid, we change the grid. But my research is frustrating me. I need to know if it could possibly work.-
ANSWER:
It would not work.The complaints from the people living near the poles would be intense. Then maintenance. And liability.
One reason there are not as many wind turbines as people would like to see- or not see- is due to a number of factors, NIMBY is one, but also not many areas are conducive to wind power. As for solar, Panels produce DC, again, aestetics. Panels also have a wind load- which can snap typical power poles in high winds. Do you want one falling on your car, or getting lift and carrying into your house?
The thing is, the "Smart Grid" is being promoted, and it is being promoted in a way that your appliances make the service calls autonomously, your appliances and Air Conditioning get controlled by the power company, and that you become dependent upon it. They do NOT want people getting off the grid- because they cannot quantify carbon dioxide if you are off grid, and there are groups who went to a lot of effort and expense to develop carbon calculation schemes on behalf of the frauds who promote AGW.
Here are are some sources that should help.
http://www.awea.org
http://www.builditsloar.com
http://www.wepower.us
'http://www.sandia.gov/bus-ops/partnerships/tech-access/facilities/photovoltaic.html
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QUESTION:
What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?
What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?A. The wind and sun are not constant, so there would be times when no electricity would be generated.
B. The wind and sun are constant, so there would be plenty of electricity for the home.
C. Wind and solar power are inefficient and too expensive to use and maintain.
D. Wind and solar power are efficient, but they are not able to produce enough electricity for a single home.-
ANSWER:
again trying to help..again thnx 4 the previous.........
nothing else............but A.
NO COMMENTS ON THE OTHER OPTIONS....
except these there is another drawback.......its when your brother breaks the solar panel after quarrel with you......then no electricity will b produced.............hope this funny answer u liked........its just to make yahhooooooooooo answer FUNNNNN............
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QUESTION:
What type of education would one need to install solar panels and small wind turbines?
Okay, I was curious as to what profession installs (small) wind turbines and solar energy panels. I'm in carpentry right now and I am very interested in learning of such a thing. Wehn I mention small wind turbines I'm speaking of roof top turbines that generate electricity from kinetic energy.-
ANSWER:
electrical engineering power and control
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QUESTION:
what industry has more growing jobs and is growing faster?? wind turbines or solar panels?
I wanted to get training as a wind turbine technician but i'm wondering if maybe a job in solar panels is a better choice. And I live in southern california.-
ANSWER:
Firstly, your very lucky there in california as either way would actually be pretty good.Solar will be bigger than wind for many years to come as there are many more companies investing in solar panels as they require a lot less maintenance. This could be a good reason to go into wind, More money, less work. Being in california you may have enough work either way. Maybe do both? Might sound weird but there are many companies employing people that know about both. Solar companies that want to expand into wind but cant afford 2 experts might want a join expert.
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QUESTION:
Are solar panels and wind turbines really manufactured from oil?
I heard somewhere that solar panels and wind turbines are manufactured from oil is this true ?-
ANSWER:
Probably so, since plastics are made from oil. However, manufacturing the items used to generate power is a one time thing. This is far better than burning fossil fuels on an ongoing basis to generate power.
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Household Wind Turbines
Building Cheap Wind Turbines
Because of the increasing demand for electricity, it is but natural for its price to soar like crazy; but even though prices are way up there, there is still one fact: the demand for it is high. This is the reason why many people are trying to find the right answers on how they will be able to build cheap wind turbines for their own homes. This is so because it has not been a secret that you will be able to buy a decent generator for your windmill if you have a budget to spare that ranges around 4 thousand up to 15 thousand dollars.
To be able to do it yourself, you need to first perform two very easy steps; the first one is preparing the things you need and planning how you are going to go about your plan. This includes learning how you will actually build your own wind turbine; the truth is that you can learn easily if you just know where to ask help from. One reliable source is from someone who already has an experience when it comes to building a wind turbine; if not, you can just opt for asking help from the internet. You can actually benefit very much from the internet because there are a lot of web sites that can give you all the information you need to know. Joining in different forums is actually not a bad idea since this will allow you to meet people who are interested in the same thing as you are; you can just ask them whatever question you are still confused about. The second step is buying all the materials that you need; the first place that should come to your mind is junkyards where you can find useable metals for the wind turbine. Another place that you can go to is the nearest electrical shops in your area, as well as hardware stores. These shops will surely be able to give you all the materials you need for you to build an attractive and sufficient turbine.
You should know that opting for a wind turbine that you will make on your own will really help you in saving a lot of money. You are probably aware that all the wind turbines available in the market cost more than what you can actually afford; most of them fall at around 00. Now if you have the money to spare, you would probably just think that it would be reasonable for you to pay for something that can give you the sufficient amount of electricity that you need in your home. However, it would be more comforting to know that you do not need to spend that much amount even though you have the money for it. When you try to look thoroughly in different sites over the internet, you will see that there are specific plans available that will only ask you to spend a mere 0.
Surely, people creating their own cheap wind turbines will be a great help most especially if you do not have enough budget to buy one that is sold in the market.
Wind Turbine Power
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans: Best Wind Power Diy Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans
Are you looking to do Wind Generator Research on Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans. Below I investigate the vertical and horizontal wind turbines advantages and disadvantages. There are 2 different sorts of wind turbine; Vertical and Horizontal. Each one performs their own function and they each have their benefits and their downsides. You should decide which one is most suitable for you and your requirements. They do have one thing in common and that is they generate power from winds. They just accomplish it in a different fashion. Vertical axis turbine has the main rotor shaft running vertically rather than horizontally. This direction can have its advantages and flaws. The advantage is the gearbox can be placed in the bottom of the turbine, unlike the horizontal turbines. All the weight is simply not at the top of the tower.
Which Are The Best Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans For My Home?
It also does not have to be facing in the direction of the wind. The disadvantages of vertical axis wind turbines is that there may be pulsating torques that can occur throughout each turn after the turbine is running in the same direction as the wind. They generate a smaller amount of power from the wind. Scrutinize the diverse types of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans below to determine which is best for you.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans:Various Kinds of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Windmill along with a rotation sail. This sort of turbine is the latest out there, its appearance is like the sails on a ship once it is up and running. The sails may increase or contract to the altering winds. There are 3 sails on it and the speed is managed through a magnetic counter that expands or contracts these vertical sails. It has a control unit that might help to control the sails, thus the damage will be minimal. The sails could tear however the frame is durable and will last through the stormy weather.
Aerodynamic turbine is made of airfoil base that is designed to capture the kinetic energy flowing from an artificial current to the center. It can make use of most of the air mass that passes through by rerouting it over the higher turbines. It can respond to wind and in addition rivers, creeks, oceans or different free flowing water systems.
Darrieus Wind Turbines are economical although due to their size and form they are able to create cyclic strain on the tower which may wear it out earlier. It features 3 blades that operate well in stronger winds. They are held up by external structures that are linked from the bottom up.
Giromill is a type of structure that has 3 vertical blades. It is self starting so the upkeep is minimal. These kinds of mills have a slow blade speed however they can create a high performance and be accomplished in funneling the power from each turn of the blade.
Savonius Wind Turbine mills have 2 scoops that are used for wind conversion. Some do come in 3 scoops that help it become self starting. They appear like long helicopter blades that are bent in a direction. This style and shape is to offer enough energy to be adequate.
Windstar Turbines have straight aluminum blades that are attached on every finish of the rotating shaft. This windmill features more than just one rotor and they possess their own twin braking system that has pneumatic disc brakes. They are in fact developed for sturdy powerful winds.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans: Final Thoughts
The advantages to operating a vertical axis wind turbine is that they are already less difficult to maintain and reduce costs, they can bear virtually all wind conditions, low as well as high, they are lesser in size and simpler to move. The downsides are they take twice as much time to produce efficient power from winds, need to be installed on flat land, low beginning torque, some models employ guyed wires that can add stress to the bottom. The appearance and your requirements influence the best selection when it involves choosing the right one for you. I hope the above addressed some questions on Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Plans.
Wind Power Turbines
Wind Power Turbines For Residences - 4 Secrets To Good Results
Getting serious about wind power turbines for homes is a terrific way to chip away at your expenses at your house.
Pay attention to these four points about how to decide what to do and your success will be assured:
* Deciding on where locate the device. This is not as easy as it seems. You have got to take the time to scope out several locations where you wouldn't mind looking at a wind turbine day in and day out. Of course, you want to pick locations that you think would have the most wind energy surrounding them. There is no magic here - you just got to take some time and imagine some options.
* Check out your local government's position on your wind turbine installation. There is certainly a lot they do know now about how to achieve renewable energy in our communities. That has generated some permitting restrictions because everyone does not agree with your having a wind turbine in your backyard. Those permitting restrictions can take the form of either a set back from your neighbor's property line or, the height which install your windmill on a tower. Bottom line is you need to check out permitting and make sure you're not doing anything that you later have to undo.
* Maybe most importantly understand your wind. On different parts of your property, the wind is very different. You can have loads and loads of wind at a hundred feet high and almost none at ground-level. The buildings and trees surrounding your home will determine that. So, you need to take some time and survey actual wind conditions around your property. You can easily do that with an anemometer placed strategically at those locations for a period of time. Then you need to weigh what you learn with some understanding you have about seasonality of wind conditions.
* Decide how much of this work you want to do yourself. The first thing to do is purchase a video that details how a wind turbine is built and installed. Earth4Energy is one option that is very popular. But, there are a number of other options that you can also consider. The good thing about a video is you actually see the work that has to be done. If you only buy a set of plans and try to imagine how easy or difficult this will be, it will be hard to conceptualize.
Wind power turbines for homes can be an excellent adjunct to any cost-reduction strategy electricity. You have to be very careful when you're upfront analysis to make sure you doing everything right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
How many Wind Turbines would you need to power a city?
I am doing a project in Science (Essay) It involves Wind Turbines and Wind power. If there is a city of 122,000 people how many wind turbines would i need???? HELP ITS DUE IN TWO DAYS!!!!
PLEASE HELP! IF YOU DO THANK YOU SO MUCH!-
ANSWER:
Sounds fairly easy, unless you consider the reality. Some numbers that will help:
A normal home in a city will average about 1 kW, maybe 1.2 kW. This is about 1,000 Watts
So you are probably looking at a total average power demand of about 130,000 to 150,000 kW. In this range they start referring to power in terms of MegaWatts (MW), which equals 1000 kW. So your required average Power Demand is about 150 MW, or 15,000 kW.
The average for a single wind turbine is about 1.5 MW at full power. So if wind conditions are right --- and constant -- you would need about 100 Wind Turbines to supply the city.Now the reality:
Wind is NOT constant --- and is not dependable. I think you need at least about a 7 mph wind, just to begin turning the propellers. If the wind can not remain at better than 7 mph, you get ZERO power. What then? So then in addition to the wind turbines, you need at least 150 MW of "other" generation -- such as Natural Gas Turbines (basically a stand alone jet engine) , or a coal fired power plant. So now you have expensive costs for "redundant" generation.
In addition -- this is their "maximum" generation at say a 15 mph wind. What happens when the wind is only 10 mph? You maybe get only 50 MW when you need 150 MW. Big Problem.
Then, the biggest problem: On a hot 95 degree summer day -- when everyone needs power the most -- everyone is running their Air Conditioning all out. But now that is the days the wind is NOT blowing. If the wind was blowing -- it would be much cooler. So on the hottest days, when the most power is required -- the wind does not blow --- and the wind turbines produce no power.
Then the maintenance issues are so bad on these wind turbine units that many companies are just abandoning these wind units in place, and just walking away. They are not economical at all. Without massive "Government" subsidies -- free money from the Government -- our tax money -- no one would even touch these.
The installed costs are high -- the maintenance costs to keep them running are high --- there are additional cost for the "back-up" generation that they were supposed to replace, but in reality can't replace.
It may be a Politically Correct policy right now --- but in reality not a good or rational decision.
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QUESTION:
How many homes can the large 3-blade wind turbines power?
We've had a bunch of wind farms pop up in my area and I was wondering how many homes each turbine could power.
Here's a picture of what I mean:http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/images/2007/07/27/oregon_wind_farm.jpg
Hahaha where I am, it blows almost constantly.-
ANSWER:
It depends on your definition of "large."The largest of the wind turbines have a capacity of around 5 MW in ideal conditions. The average home consumes about 1000 watts of power (averaged over a 24 hour period), so one of these monsters could, in theory, power 5000 homes.
As David has correctly pointed out, the problem is that wind does not always blow at the optimal speed, and residential power consumption is not linear. Peak demand (between 7 am and 9 am, and again at 5 pm to 9 pm) rarely coincides with maximum generating capacity. The next problem is that surplus capacity is almost impossible to store.
David - even at 1 MW, that's enough to power 1000 homes not 100.
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QUESTION:
how many wind turbines to power the US?
im doing a project for school and i am trying to figure out the most efficient but least expensive way to power the US on alternative energy. Please i need to know the cost and how many wind turbines it would take!-
ANSWER:
Hey Lamb, you're not stupid, this is a good question. If you just want the wind numbers, they look something like this. Mariskalen is about right on the US load, last data I could find was 2005, that year we used 3,741,135,000 MW hours, which translated to average load, comes out just over 400 gigawatts, about 427 GW to be exact. I think the largest wind turbines being engineered today might reach to 5 MW, or .005 GW. So to accomplish what you are suggesting would take over 90,000 of these large units. To be short, we aren't going to do that, but there are more reasons than just the number of turbines we need. There is plenty of wind resource, actually we could power the entire country on just the wind in North and South Dakota, but the entire surface of both states would be taken up by turbines.First of all it works better to spread them out, this vastly reduces the size and complexity of the grid we need to move all the power around. It also solves the problem of what to do in a calm day in North Dakota. Someplace the wind is blowing, so if we plant some in each state, we will always have some wind power. Secondly, Bravo makes a good point that wind power is very low density. What that means is it takes a 400 foot tall tower and a 500 foot diameter blade to make the same 5 MW as a hydro power plant that might fit in a small house. Hydro power is high density, and a much cheaper way to make power. Problem is, we have already built dams in all the good spots, like Lake Mead and the Columbia River Gorge. Lastly, one of the reasons we have gotten into this energy predicament is through overreliance on very few sources, like oil and coal. The best resource to power the country is a diverse one. I'm a big supporter of renewable energy, like wind and solar, but I would be quite happy to see wind get maybe 10 or 20 % of our grid power. I'd like solar to get another 10, hyrdro to hold the piece it has now, and there would still be room for some coal and nuclear. This way, if there is any problem with one source, the others can pick up the load, and by using all available sources, we can place the ones that work best in each location. Hydro is best in the West and Northwest. Coal plants could be located next to the mines. Solar in the Southwest, and wind on higher grounds, where the wind blows. This is the cheapest and most efficient way to power our globe.
We live in a home that is powered by the wind and sun, has been for 11 years now. We've learned a great deal about renewable energy along the way, made some mistakes, and have a pretty good handle on what works where, and what doesn't. Powering a home in Seattle with solar would be like replacing your family car with a fleet of bicycles. It would work great for getting to school, but that trip back from the lumber yard would be a killer. Seattle, with all its jungle like foliage, has great biomass potential, something else that we've barely scraped the surface on, but it would be a waste to export that technology to the desert southwest.
One of the most promising ideas to come along lately is a project the Germans are doing in the Sahara Desert. Using solar concentrators, they are going to heat oil to several hundred degrees, then store the heated oil in huge insulated tanks. When electricity is needed, a pump forces water through a coil in the tank, which heats up the water and makes steam. The steam is used to turn a turbine generator that makes electricity. The really great thing about it is that with all that hot oil, it will work all night too. So now we have access to solar power at night, pretty slick. Google the phrase, "North African Solar Project," to check it out. I'll list some other sources below for you to research as well. Good luck Lamb, and take care, Rudydoo
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QUESTION:
How many wind turbines would it take to power the UK?
This isn't a joke, despite how the question is worded
To power the whole of the UK solely on wind generated power using the kinetic energy produced alone, how many of those huge turbines would we need to have?
Also, do you think is a feasible solution to the energy crisis?
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ANSWER:
Great question.I came across 30,000 as the figure. They cost approx £2M each. That's £60B. We could do that in 5 years with 1p on income tax or NI. Site them out at sea where no one can see them.
Couple that with a small turbine on every house and solar - give local grants for this and we'd be pretty much energy independent within 5 years and carbon free.
This sounds too easy - what's the problem?
Backup and intermittency - Use nuclear, hydro-electric and bio-mass burning energy plants - all oil and coal fired power stations closed. Get some tidal energy systems installed - tidal is much more consistent that wind. Have battery storage at home (some safety issues here but not insurmountable and really no different than gaving a gas supply). That would sort those issues out.
Job losses - Yes but these would be offset by jobs in these new power sectors.
Impact on oil prices and the UKCS Oil industry - Probably a price drop in oil but as these are diminishing resourses there would be upward price pressure from market forces supply and demand therefore - probably overall no change.
We could export our surpluses giving us a tidy way of clearing the costs of converting to wind, tidal solar etc. The Oil industry would be unchanged - it's in decline anyway.
Unhooking ourselves from gas - Micro generation fuel cells using hydrogen from local hydrolosis using clean wind energy would sort that out.
We'd be energy independent and carbon free with a significant new export revenue source. Surely this is do-able. I think I'll write to my MP about this - what about you?
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QUESTION:
How will wind power create the materials needed to manufacture wind turbines?
Wind turbines have the evil plastic in their structure. Also wind provides energy, not matter.-
ANSWER:
Wind power provides very little net energy. It is a non-starter. The use of plastics in wind turbines (as in ALL turbines) is a non-issue and completely misses the point.Wind energy is a tempting IDEA but a disappointing reality. Wind power is so unreliable and variable that equivalent standby power has to be available all the time, wasting energy. Wind turbine construction is heavily subsidised and the electricity produced (even without allowing for the hidden cost of standby cover) is so expensive it is uneconomical. Power companies only buy wind generated power because they HAVE to by law and they cover the excessive cost by charging us more for ALL our electricity. If it wasn't for the subsidies (direct grants plus subsidies through us paying more for conventional power) there would be no wind energy in the UK. It is an appalling waste of money that could be better spent on more productive, more economical, more reliable power generation using other technologies.
Tidal power is stronger and totally predictable but receives only a fraction of the subsidy of wind power. Ignoring ideology and looking for a realistic practical solution, we need to be building nuclear power capacity plus clean-burn coal fired power stations with tidal power as a longer term source.
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Wind Turbine Electricity
The Pros And Cons Of Wind Turbine Electricity Devices
Wind Driven Turbines, The Positive Aspects And Drawbacks
In case you haven't read about wind turbine electricity turbines, here is a brief description. The traditional design resembles a small windmill on a toll structure. Any time the wind blows the wind turbine the blades make the rotor whirl and the movement of the rotor makes the generator within the turbine generate power. As with almost all types of power generators, magnets as well as copper wires are organized to create a charge when the rotor spins. There's absolutely nothing difficult about this kind of generator.
Naturally for the turbine to do the job there needs to be wind. Wind is stronger higher up in the sky, that is definitely why wind turbines are relatively tall, at approximately 30 meters. The result of the stronger wind at that elevation is that the turbines generate more electricity. Obviously there should be enough wind to produce electricity in the first place. Just before an installation of turbines is built, comprehensive analysis of wind patterns for the planned site is reviewed. One perfect location is in coastal regions because there are typically consistent wind patterns in these areas. Although wind speed is the most crucial variable to measure, wind direction will also have an impact on the performance of the installation. However the design is incredibly clever and they are constructed so that the rotor turns towards the wind, enabling them to pick up the wind from any direction.
Enough electricity to meet the requirements of an entire household can be produced from a solitary turbine. A battery backup that is replenished by the turbines, delivers power during instances when no wind blows. While they may produce a lot of electricity, these are not cheap at all and getting back your original investment on one will take many years. Unlike various other green energy methods, wind turbines will continue to work 24/7, providing that there is wind. Wind turbines can produce as much energy at night as during the day, decreasing the battery storage specifications in some cases. Turbines are incredibly clean to run, removing concerns about pollution. This suggests that wind turbines do not contribute to the effects of global warming simply because there are no fuels getting burned and no emissions being released into the atmosphere. Another advantage is that turbines are using energy from a regularly renewing source. This means that turbines will always be able to produce electrical power if they are located in high wind regions.
As with just about anything there are some down sides of using wind turbines for energy. They're certainly not a pretty sight, especially because they're so massive. Large installations, with a bunch, or even hundreds grouped together, produce visual pollution in coastal areas, as outlined by critics. Like any mechanical device that moves, they can be quite loud. Wildlife enthusiasts complain that birds and bats are damaged by them. The rationale stated for bats soaring into wind turbines is that the activity in the air disrupts their capability to hear and see with sonar. While these incidents are rarely reported they do take place.
Thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of wind turbines, they have a lot going in their favor. Wind turbines offer remarkable promise for generating clean, sustainable and safe energy, with handful of serious downsides.
Useful and Easy Tips for Daily Green Living
Just about every day we are reminded by the media of the effects of pollution - which we have caused - and the direct result thereof, global warming. I'm sure there are people who, despite feeling a strong urge to provide aid, are in the dark about how to go about it. Well, you don't have to go out saving whales or putting out forest fires to provide assistance, you only need to simply follow a couple of simple tips to make a difference! Some simple and easy things you can do are discussed below.
1. Try not to use a desktop PC when a laptop is available
Whatever they do today, virtually all people probably use a computer a great deal. Laptops use about half the energy used by a desktop computer, so use a laptop whenever you can. Additionally, never mind being more inexpensive, laptops are light and compact and can be taken along to virtually all places you go to.
2. Try walking instead of try to drive
It's a terrible thing, but driving a vehicle means pollution. Vehicles are big polluters as they burn fuel, causing deadly gases to be released into the air. The volume of gases from cars poisoning the air everyday is great, given the vast number of cars in use worldwide. To make less of an adverse impact on the environment, we must try walking instead of driving. Try to walk whenever you can, but don't beat yourself up if it just isn't possible. Any brief trips by car can probably be replaced by walking without any real consequence. Walking can be relaxing, good for your health as well as that of the environment, and save you a bit of money on the side.
3. As you are brushing your teeth, shut the faucet
Since water is simply a turn of the faucet away, we use it without thinking, and waste a lot in the process. Don't waste water the next time you brush your teeth, turn off the tap. Think of the amount of water goes to waste if you brush your teeth for two minutes while the water is running. Rather put some water for rinsing your mouth in a glass ahead of time, thereby wasting less.
4. Having a shower uses less amount of water
Take a shower instead of a bath, because it's been determined to be more efficient in terms of both water and energy consumption. Nevertheless, this isn't true if it takes you 20 minutes or more to shower! If you are unable to make your shower brief, you'll end up wasting water anyway.
5. Be aware of lights switched on when they don't have to be on
Vacant rooms don't usually need to have the lights turned on. If no one is in it, a room may as well have no lights on. You will be able to save money, not waste energy and benefit the earth this way. And flip the lights off when the sun is bright outside; you should have sufficient natural light indoors.
These tips are really easy to do and won't cost you anything to carry out. As a matter of fact, they'll most likely save you money. So answer the invitation - get started living green.
Turbine Engines
Can You Build Your Own Rc Jet Engine
Build Your Own RC Jet Engine
I've been doing a lot or research on the subject of RC Jet Engines, and up until now these engines have only been avalable to a few lucky modellers due to their very high price. Jetcat USA produce a fantastic range of real RC Turbine engines and are excellent quality, but they do cost 4 figures to buy. Many budding turbine users are priced out of the niche.
Can you make your own RC Jet Turbine? The main problem we will encounter is that the turbine wheel itself needs to be of the correct shape and material to work efficiently and aborb the immense heat and pressure involved. This was the same problem that the designers of the early Jumo series engines faced at the end of the second world war, they simply could not obtain the correct alloys to ensure reliability.
As I researched this issue I have descovered that a company called March Labs produces an off the shelf Turbine wheel that will form the basis for your home built RC Jet Turbine. This company also can provide CNC ready plans so your local engieering firm could produce all the parts required, allowing you to assemble the parts into a working RC Jet Engine. I appreciate that you will still need a degree of engineering knowledge to complete assembly and test, but this is well within the scope of many talented modellers.
This Turbine is used to produce a centrifugal type jet engine. This is exactly the same format favoured by the majority of commercial RC Jet engine manufacturers. It is the same type of engine first designed and developed by Sir Frank Whittle of Powerjets Ltd, and used in many early designs of post war aircraft such as the Gloster Meteor, the UK's first operational Jet Fighter. Whittle is widely credited as being the first person to produce a successful jet engine in the 1930's. Later developments saw a switch to the slimmer axial flow engine design, such as the Rolls Royce Avon engines these engines went on to power the BAC Lightning, the UK's first supersonic fighter.
I'm sure there are some very talented modellers out there will be able to take the off the shelf turbine wheel and go and produce a working RC Jet Engine. For the rest of us mere mortals the plans available from March Labs will give us a valuable blue print to work with.
Clearly this will be a major project, but the satisfaction gained, not to mention the money saved, will certainly make this project a truly worthwhile one. The only question is, are you up for that challenge?
Wind Turbines For The Home
A Wind Turbine For The Home
A wind turbine for the home
GREEN POWER: Good news for homeowners: with small wind turbines, you will soon be able to generate your own electric power right out in the backyard. The manufacturers produce the rotor blades using nanoparticles from Bayer MaterialScience.
If you have room in your backyard for a cherry or apple tree, you will soon be able to generate power there too.
Just install a wind turbine from Eagle Tuulivoima, hook it up to the power grid and youre
good to go.
The Finnish company has just begun producing small wind turbines. Were starting off with two models:
one with a rated output of two kilowatts and one with five kilowatts, says company founder Juha Siitonen. The product range is to be expan-ded next year to include 10 and 20 kilowatt models. To compare, large systems generate over 1,000 kilowatts, but ours are big enough for home use.
Oddly enough, the idea of building wind turbines for the home originated in Lahti, an inland city in Finland where only a light breeze usually blows. But its also home to Amroy, a company with very special expertise: it incorporates carbon nanotubes (CNT) into plastic resin by a unique method, resulting in a material with signif-icantly improved mechanical properties.
Hybtonite is the name of the reinforced epoxy resin. If it sounds familiar, thats because its a deliberate allusion to the legendary kryptonite of Superman fame. The materials unusually high strength is attributable to Baytubes brand carbon nanotubes supplied by Bayer MaterialScience. Hybtonite has already demonstrated its toughness in other fields of application.
For example, the material is used to produce ice hockey sticks and skis.
A Bayer MaterialScience customer in China manufactures rotor blades between 40 and 50 meters long from Hybtonite for large wind power plants. So why not use the same material to make small wind turbines?
One day, Amroy employee Kimmo Kaila discussed this idea with his friends Miamari and Juha Siitonen in Lahti, and they were immediately taken with it. So much so that they quit their jobs and founded their own company in 2007: Eagle Tuulivoima. Tuulivoima is the Finnish
word for wind power.
The Siitonens soon learned, however, that you need more than just the right material to make lightweight rotor blades. The generators that convert the rotation into electrical energy proved to be something of a problem. Conventional devices need about 260 rotations per minute to generate electric power, explains Miamari Siitonen.
In other words, to produce electricity, they need a wind speed of 7 (51-60 km/h) or more. Because weather conditions of this kind are not a daily occurrence, the Finns devised their own solution. The company had an innovative generator engineered that operates efficiently at wind s d thus meets one of the key requirements for mass production.
The smallest system is the two kilowatt turbine. Its rotor blades weigh only 4.5 kilograms, even though they are 2.5 meters long. If they were made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, they would weigh twice as much. These blades would also have a much smaller surface area in contact with the wind.
This means that the blades on the new system produce a higher wind yield. As a result, they are much more efficient. If you have bigger and lighter rotor blades, the first question probably has to be whether they will break more easily in high winds. The answer in this case is no, thanks to the tiny carbon nanotubes incorporated into the plastic compound by supplier Amroy. These little CNTs enable the material to bear high mechanical stresses.
They also prevent material fatigue and ensure a long service life, emphasizes Amroy CEO Antti Valtakari. This effect stems from both the elongated shape of the carbon structures and the fact that the company chemically anchors them in the plastic. Whats more, it takes the addition of just one percent of CNTs by weight to achieve this performance.
For individual homeowners, this method of alternative power generation naturally is only an attractive option if the price is right.
It is expected to cost less than EUR 10,000 for a two kilowatt wind turbine including installation. The system can generate approximately 4,000 to 8,000 kilowatt hours of electric power annually, although the figure varies from region to region. Miamari Siitonen has calculated that a wind turbine this size can provide a single family home with average consumption with all the electricity it needs. If the turbine produces surplus energy, it can be fed into the public grid, as is commonly done with solar power. Alternatively, the
surplus can be stored.
In targeting customers, the Finns have their eye on more than just environmentally conscious homeowners in the industrial nations. We are mainly focusing on regions accustomed to a very unreliable power supply, such as India or countries in Africa, Siitonen says. If all goes well, the company may one day be as well known as a certain Finnish mobile communications corporation.
Wind Turbine Energy
Wind Turbine Energy, A Clean, Cheap and Safe Way to Produce Energy
Wind has been considered as a downside of regions, a factor that conspired against urbanization, highlighting destructive power of the wind. But more recently, technology has provided a whole new outlook on the wind. Regions with steady regular wind have proven to be the most suitable ones to produce a new way of cheap and clean energy: wind energy. You can read more information about it by reading the article below.
Wind energy can be “harvested” with the use of wind turbines. Wind turbines are roughly structures with big propellers that take advantage of the constant movement of the propeller, generating energy. In the same way mills took advantage of wind, typically to extract water from the soil, these new wind turbines generate electricity in an efficient way. Technically, it can be said that they convert the free everlasting kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. No chemistry is involved, because it is simply an ingenious device that transforms energy into usable ways.
A Wind Turbine Energy consists mostly of three main components: the rotor blades, the shaft and the generator. A lot can be said about the design of the blades. They need to be aerodynamically shaped, so as to make the most of the wind, with the least loss of energy. This includes careful consideration of the materials blades are made of. At first, wood was the preferred material. Later on light metals were used, like aluminum. The most suitable is carbon fiber, an extremely light material, amazingly resistant. The shaft is connected to the rotor. It transfers the movement to the rotor, which has one end attached to a regular electric generator. Here is where the electric energy is produced. This is a very simple, yet very effective mechanism. Electricity will be produced as long as the blades spin.
The generator works using the properties of electromagnetic induction. The core of the generator is made of magnets, that when moved constantly close to a conducting material –copper wires, most typically-, produce a difference of electric tension –voltage. Magnets have this amazing property: to release electrons: energy.
Windmills are used in areas where traditional wiring is not present, for instance in rural areas. In 1930, 600.000 windmills provided water and electricity to many rural areas in the United States. By 2006, new windmills were developed that could produce up to 4 mega Watts of electric power, enough to supply energy to a small neighborhood with one single mill. The new wind turbines have a completely different design from traditional mills, the axis being placed vertically, instead of horizontally. This new layout helps maximize the power of rotation of the wind. This design is called VAWT.
The size of the Wind Turbine Energy mills is highly relevant. The bigger the mill is, the most energy it can produce. The drawback is that bigger structures require bigger parts that will necessary gain in weight. That is why new materials such as carbon nanotubes and glass fibers are so effective when designing mills.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
How should i start my energy/wind turbine company?
I am a 23 year old student. It is my ambition to develop a company that generates energy through offshore wind farm using wind turbines. It has not been attempted in my city (nor in my country) yet but the wind blows EVERYDAY! So much so that the town i live in is called the 'windy city'. I always day dream of how successful this a company of this nature could become. Is there anyone out there with some solid advice for me??-
ANSWER:
start by earning money/capital to buy the things you need/best way is by selling yourself as a slave/i hear you get good money for that/why is my period button not working/well the next thing to do is Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum. Defacto lingo est igpay atinlay. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre. Gratuitous octopus niacin, sodium glutimate. Quote meon an estimate et non interruptus stadium. Sic tempus fugit esperanto hiccup estrogen. Glorious baklava ex librus hup hey ad infinitum. Non sequitur condominium facile et geranium incognito. Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum.Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum. Defacto lingo est igpay atinlay. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre. Gratuitous octopus niacin, sodium glutimate. Quote meon an estimate et non interruptus stadium. Sic tempus fugit esperanto hiccup estrogen. Glorious baklava ex librus hup hey ad infinitum. Non sequitur condominium facile et geranium incognito. Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum.
Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum. Defacto lingo est igpay atinlay. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre. Gratuitous octopus niacin, sodium glutimate. Quote meon an estimate et non interruptus stadium. Sic tempus fugit esperanto hiccup estrogen. Glorious baklava ex librus hup hey ad infinitum. Non sequitur condominium facile et geranium incognito. Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum.
Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum. Defacto lingo est igpay atinlay. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre. Gratuitous octopus niacin, sodium glutimate. Quote meon an estimate et non interruptus stadium. Sic tempus fugit esperanto hiccup estrogen. Glorious baklava ex librus hup hey ad infinitum. Non sequitur condominium facile et geranium incognito. Epsum factorial non deposit quid pro quo hic escorol. Marquee selectus non provisio incongruous feline nolo contendre Olypian quarrels et gorilla congolium sic ad nauseum. Souvlaki ignitus carborundum e pluribus unum.
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QUESTION:
How could i start my energy/wind turbine company?
I am a 23 year old economics student. It is my ambition to develop a company that generates energy through offshore wind farm using wind turbines. It has not been attempted in my city (nor in my country) yet but the wind blows EVERYDAY! So much so that the town i live in is called the 'windy city'. I always day dream of how successful this a company of this nature could become. Is there anyone out there with some solid advice for me??-
ANSWER:
Wind farms seem like a great idea don't they? Permanent energy for free. Unfortunately they don't work!I am no physicist but I understand that the energy generated by each turbine is minute so you need thousands and thousands and that the output is too uneven to be able to be used efficiently. Also they are incredibly noisy so you could not possibly install them in a town.
Sorry :-
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QUESTION:
How can I invest in Wind Turbine Energy Production through Vanguard? Do they have a fund for alternative energ
y?
How do you buy into a wind farm directly?-
ANSWER:
Start Here:http://quicktake.morningstar.com/FundFamily/Snapshot.asp?Country=USA&Symbol=10740
Then surf around on Vanguard funds until you find what you're looking for....
either that or call Vanguard Directly.
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QUESTION:
How does a wind turbine convert the wind into energy we can you use?
I'm doing a science project with my best friend, and we want to see if we can convert wave energy into the kind of energy we can use, like a wind turbine. So, we want to know how a wind turbine can convert the wind into energy, then we can do the same with the wave energy. PLEASE help.-
ANSWER:
A wind turbine or wind generator or windmill uses the energy in moving air (wind) and converts it into usable electrical power with a generator. The force of the wind hits the blades of the windmill causing them to rotate. This rotational force turns a generator inside the wind turbine. Magnets in the generator cause and electrical current to flow. This electrical current flow is used to power things.
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QUESTION:
How to estimate the energy of a wind turbine?
How to estimate the energy of wind turbine?
how do i estimate the annual energy output of a 5kw wind turbine in an area which has a average wind speed of 7.4m/s at 10m above ground level, and the rated wind speed of the turbine is 10m/s. there is no buildins around to interfear with the wind and the hub of turbine is 12m above ground level. and could you show me the formula for this sum.-
ANSWER:
It's not quite that simple.Wind turbines have a 'power curve' showing their output at various wind speeds. An 'average' can be based on minor variations (7.2 to 7.6 m/s) or major variations (3 to 12 m/s - OK, that averages to 7.5, but you get the point). Since the energy in wind varies with the cube (third power) of the wind speed, the amount of variation in the average is critical.
There is a calculator here: http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/wres/pow/index.htm, but I highly recommend you review the other information on the site before spending any money!
Best of luck!
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Water Turbines
Brief Introduction To Different Types Of Turbine Rotors
Theory of operation Turbines impulse
A working fluid contains potential energy (force head) and kinetic energy (speed head). The fluid may be compressible or incompressible. Several physical principles are working by turbines to collect this energy.
Impulse turbines
These turbines change the direction of flow of a high velocity fluid or gas jet. The resulting impulse spins the turbine and grass the fluid flow with diminished kinetic energy. There is no pressure change of the fluid or gas in the turbine rotor blades as in the case of a steam or gas turbine, all the pressure drop takes place in the motionless blades.
created by the nozzle prior to reaching the blading on the rotor. Newton's second la
Before reaching the turbine, the fluid's pressure head is changed to velocity head by accelerating the fluid with a nozzle. Pelt-on wheels and de Laval turbines use this process entirely. Impulse turbines do not require a pressure casement around the rotor since the fluid jet is w describes the transfer of energy for impulse turbines.
Types of turbines
* Steam turbines. are used for the production of electricity in thermal power plants, such as plants using coal or fuel oil or nuclear power. They were once used to directly drive mechanical devices such as ships' propellers but mainly such applications now use decrease gears or a transitional electrical step, where the turbine is used to generate electricity, which then powers an electric motor connected to the mechanical load. Turbo electric ship machinery was particularly popular in the period immediately before and during WWII, primarily due to a lack of sufficient gear-cutting facilities in shipyards.
* Gas turbines. are sometimes referred to as turbine engines. Such engines usually quality an inlet, fan, compressor, combustor and nozzle (possibly other assemblies) in addition to one or more turbines.
* Transonic turbine. The gas flow in most turbines employed in gas turbine engines remains subsonic all through the development process. In a transonic turbine the gas-flow becomes supersonic as it exits the nozzle guide vanes, while the downstream velocities normally become subsonic. Transonic turbines operate at a higher pressure ratio than normal but are usually less efficient and singular.
* Contra-rotating turbines. With axial turbines, some efficiency improvement can be obtained if a downstream turbine rotates in the opposite direction to an upstream unit. However, the complication can be counter-productive. A contra-rotating steam turbine, usually known as the Ljungstrm turbine, was originally made-up by Swedish Engineer Fredrik Ljungstrm (1875-1964), in Stockholm and in partnership with his brother Birger Ljungstrm he obtained a copyright in 1894. The design is essentially a multi-stage radial turbine (or pair of 'nested' turbine rotors) and met with some success, particularly in marine applications, where its compact size and low weight lend itself well to turbo-electric applications. In this radial arrangement, the overall efficiency is typically less than that of Parsons or de Laval turbines.
* Stator less turbine. Multi-stage turbines have a set of static (meaning stationary) inlet guide vanes that direct the gas-flow onto the rotating rotor blades. In a stator-less turbine the gas-flow exiting an upstream rotor impinge onto a downstream rotor without an intermediate set of stator vanes individual encountered.
* Ceramic turbine. Conventional high-pressure turbine blades (and vanes) are made from nickel based alloys and often utilize complicated internal air-cooling passages to prevent the metal from overheating. In recent years, experimental ceramic blades have been manufactured and tested in gas turbines, with a view to increasing Rotor Inlet Temperatures along with possibly, eliminating air-cooling. Ceramic blades are more delicate than their metallic counterparts, and carry a greater risk of catastrophic blade failure. This has tended to limit their use in jet engines and gas turbines, to the stator (stationary) blades.
* Shrouded turbine. Many turbine rotor blades have shrouding at the top, which interlocks with that of adjacent blades, to increase damping and thereby reduce blade flutter. In large land-based electricity generation steam turbines, the shrouding is often complemented, especially in the long blades of a low-pressure turbine, with lacing wires. These are wires which pass through holes drilled in the blades at suitable distances from the blade root and the wires are usually brazed to the blades at the point where they pass through. The lacing wires are designed to reduce blade flutter in the central part of the blades. The introduction of lacing wires significantly reduces the instances of blade failure in large or low-pressure turbines.
* Shroud less turbine. Currently observe is, wherever possible, to eliminate the rotor shrouding, thus reducing the centrifugal load on the blade and the cooling requirements.
* Bladeless turbine. Uses the boundary layer effect and not a fluid impinging upon the blades as in a conventional turbine.
* Water turbines
Pelt-on turbine, a type of impulse water turbine.
Francis turbine, a type of widely used water turbine.
Kaplan turbine, a variation of the Francis Turbine.
* Wind turbine. These normally operate as a single stage without nozzle and inter stage guide vanes. An exception is the Elaine Belle, which has a stator and a rotor, thus being a true turbine.
Uses of turbines
Nearly all electrical power on Earth is produced with a turbine of some type. Very high efficiency steam turbines control about 40% of the thermal energy, with the rest exhausted as waste heat.
Most jet engines rely on turbines to supply mechanical work from their working fluid and fuel as do all nuclear ships and power plants.
Turbines are regularly part of a larger machine. A gas turbine, for example, may refer to an internal combustion machine that contains a turbine, ducts, compressor, combustor, heat-exchanger, fan and (in the case of one designed to produce electricity) an alternator. However, it must be noted that the collective machine referred to as the turbine in these cases is designed to transfer energy from a fuel to the fluid passing through such an internal combustion device as a means of propulsion, and not to transfer energy from the fluid passing through the turbine to the turbine as is the case in turbines used for electricity provision etc.
Reciprocating piston engines such as aircraft engines can use a turbine powered by their exhaust to drive an intake-air compressor, a configuration known as a turbocharger (turbine supercharger) or colloquially, a "turbo".
Turbines can have very high power density (ie the ratio of power to weight, or power to volume). This is because of their ability to operate at very high speeds. The Space Shuttle's main engines use turbo pumps (machines consisting of a pump driven by a turbine engine) to feed the propellants (liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen) into the engine's combustion chamber. The liquid hydrogen turbo pump is slightly larger than an automobile engine (weighing approximately 700 lb) and produces nearly 70,000 hp (52.2 MW).
Turbo expanders are widely used as sources of refrigeration in industrial processes.
Turbines could also be used as powering system for a remote controlled plane that creates thrust and lifts the plane of the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Why water turbines are not placed right beneath the waterfalls?
I have been researching water turbines and for some unspecified reason, every vendor is proposing a pipe that will divert the "stream" at an angle when it enters the Pelton type turbine. Why?Can one choose to place the turbine right under the waterfall? Thanks.
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ANSWER:
NO one will choose to place the turbine right under the waterfall:1) Not efficient as splashing water do not provide much energy;
2) Air trapped in water will cause air-lock or cavitation in water turbine, which shorten life of machine;
3) Revolution per minute is not constant for water turbine resulting fluctuating output of turbine.Hope that will help
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QUESTION:
Is it possible to connect a conveyor belt to 2 water turbines, using only water to move the belt?
Theres this tech challenge and we had this idea to connect to water turbines with a conveyer belt. We have the power of a 20gal/min waterfall to spin the water turbines which we hope will make the conveyor belt attached to the two wheels move. Do you think it will work?-
ANSWER:
yeah it can work, just attach the spinning shaft off of the turbine to a gear or wheel under the belt to drive it.
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QUESTION:
How can people use water turbines in their homes?
I want to know how can people use water turbines in their homes.
Please no stupid anwsers-
ANSWER:
Mostly, one can't. It would require a source of running water, of adequate pressure to spin a turbine, and few people live on a watercourse where these conditions obtain.
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QUESTION:
Water & Turbines: Is there a better material available?
Turbines used for power generation, etc., are normally powered by steam. This is because water is easily convertible to pressurized steam via heating, and vice versa.My question is: Is there any known material that is better than water/steam for this purpose? And are there any reasons, apart from the abundance and cheapness of water, why it is not used instead?
Thanks!
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ANSWER:
When you first mentioned Turbines and better material, I thought you meant better ceramics in the diffusers and such. So, better fluid is it... or more accurately "better working fluid"...For a power plant or boiler, water is usually the choice because it is very cheap, easily portable, holds a lot of energy, and is just so cheap. Steam is easily used within the temperature ranges our turbine metal/cermaics can handle, so we stick to that.
For places where the temperature can become below freezing (0°C) but heat transfer is required for higher-than-steam temperatures, Ethylene Glycol, anti-freeze, can be used.
For freezers (where water can't flow), you have molecules like R-134, Ammonia or Alcohol; even liquid nitrogen could be used this way for really cold temperatures.
For solar power plants you can store the energy in Glauber Salts that store the energy much more efficiently than water.
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QUESTION:
How are water turbines measure?
I'm doing a project on hydro power, and I'm not sure how the turbines and generators are measured. When something is X watts, how often is that wattage produced? Any other tips for getting a tiny model up and running would be greatly appreciated.-
ANSWER:
The water at the top of the hill has a certain amount of gravitational potential energy. As it falls down the 'pipe' some of that energy does work on the turbines, making them turn (and therefore turning the generators) and the rest ends up as kinetic energy of the moving water coming out of the outlet, or as work against friction on the way down.Gravitational potential energy = mass * g * height. Where g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Energy is measured in joules. The bigger you make the pipe, the more water can come down every second. When you are measuring the output, you are really interested in how many joules per second you are getting as useful output.
A joule per second is another name for a watt. So a 100 W generator is capable of producing 100 joules/second of electrical energy all the time it is running.
Specific information really depends on what scale of model you are going for.
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