[Stoves] Stirling to drive fan

[Paul S. Anderson]

Quoting jason marshall <jdmarshall at gmail.com>:

> Fair enough.  But even in the case of the Stirling, where we have 1
> conversion, you're looking at energy losses of 65%.  And that's not
> counting finding a way to keep the radiator cool (when it's built
> right onto a low-cost stove).

Jason,

I was not trying to justify the forced air on the basis of energy 
savings, etc. I was only giving you reasons or cases when forced air 
has advantages,
specifically for keeping the height lower and for avoiding the tricky problem
of simultaneously controlling the primary air and secondary when the draft is
from a single source.  These relate to the issue of "benefits."

Indeed, I can readily agree with you that the "costs" of forced air are
generally greater than for natural draft.

Each application has a cost-benefit consideration.  For small applications in
affluent societies, cost is seldom much of an issue.

But in industrial-size operations, natural draft is often implemented.  And in
impoverished societies, natural draft is often utilized.

Our interest in Stirling engines or TEM/TED or solar-electrical or other
technology (even regular electrical AC current or DC batteries) is because it
would be nice if the financially poor people could enjoy more
known-to-be-possible benefits because we could bring down the cost of the
energy for forced air.

I do not have an answer to your next question.  Many variables of size and
application need to be considered.

What is a ROEI?

We are glad to have you participating with the Stoves dialogues.  We 
hope to get
to know you, your background and interests better so we can better 
relate to all
on the list.

Paul
>
> How efficient does your 'naturally aspirated' air intake have to be
> before it's competitive with, or in fact superior to, your
> self-powered fan?
>
> At least with the batteries, the energy is coming from an external
> power source, which we believe to be roughly as good a ROEI (and less
> polluting) as the fire itself.
>
> -Jason

-- 
Paul S. Anderson, Ph.D., Geography professor - Emeritus
Telephone:  USA-309-452-7072 (residence and office)
Internet site:  www.ilstu.edu/~psanders
For my gasifier stoves info, go to:
http://bioenergylists.org/contributors#Paul_Anderson




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