Use steam engine to generate electricity

Notes on the steam engine

The project is interesting in several ways. It demonstrates how kinetic energy is created from thermal energy. It also shows that a DC motor can also be used to generate electricity. The kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. In principle, you could build the steam engine yourself, but since overpressure is created, certain safety aspects must be observed during construction. So it makes more sense to buy a kit.

• A steam engine consists of a burner, a pressure vessel and a motor that is driven by the hot steam from the boiler.
• The conversion of thermal energy into motion takes place according to the oscillating principle. In a moving cylinder there is a piston and two holes to let the steam in and out.
• When the cylinder is inclined slightly upwards, the steam inlet opens and the piston is pushed forward, thereby moving a flywheel. At the same time, the cylinder tilts into the horizontal. The system is now at the front dead center. Both steam holes are closed.
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• Due to the momentum of the flywheel, the cylinder tilts downwards at an angle and the steam outlet opens. At the same time the piston moves back. The system reaches bottom dead center, both openings are closed. Due to the momentum of the wheel, the cylinder tilts slightly upwards again. The process repeats itself.


A small generator - this is how it works

A generator is used to generate energy using a certain force. So is a ...

• The construction of this engine requires great precision. A hobbyist hardly succeeds in making the required parts himself. A kit that contains all parts costs less than 40 € and can also be put together by inexperienced hobbyists.

Electricity generation via steam

The finished steam engine converts the movement of the piston into a uniform rotary movement of a shaft. This wave is supposed to power your mini generator.

1. There are DC motors for approx. 5 €. Pick a motor that runs at 12 volts at around 3500 rpm. The steam engine usually rotates at around 200 rpm. With these motors that is enough to generate a weak current.
2. Build a base for the motor from polymer clay to attach it to the base plate of the steam engine. Its shaft should be at the same height as that of the steam engine. Burn the film pad in the oven.
3. Glue this to the motor. Find a place on the base plate to glue the part on. The two shafts must be parallel and connected to each other with a rubber band.
4. Check whether the shaft of the steam engine can turn the shaft of the generator. Improve the friction with foam rubber strips that you glue around the shafts.
5. Then use the alligator clips on the measuring strips to connect one connection of the motor to one end of the wire on the bulb.
6. Heat the steam engine. The lamp will now shine at least weakly.

Generate electricity with solar energy.

The steam required for the oscillating drive can be obtained from solar energy with a simple device.

1. Curve the sheet metal so that it takes the shape of a parabola. Align it with the sun, the sun's rays are bundled along a line by the construction. You can find this line by holding paper in the curve. The paper begins to poke at the point.
2. Mount the pipe painted black with wire exactly along this line. Connect it to the water supply on one side with a garden hose.
3. Remove the connection between the boiler of the steam engine and the engine. You now need a hose that extends from the end of the pipe to the engine of the steam engine and has the correct diameter. Attach the hose to the motor.
4. Attach the other end to the black pipe with the modeling clay. If the sun shines with sufficient power, the motor will turn and drive the generator.

In this way you can convert a small steam engine to generate electricity.