Montrose CHP - up and running

[jotec]

Hi,
As the title states the Lister Grid tied CHP is running.
I have used 2 windssave inverters in parallel and hey seem happy at around 800w each.
The Lister starts and runs on veg and the system is almost accredited for ROCs.

On testing over the last 2 days it has output 35kW and the water tank is running at 90+ degrees C.
Only one radiator is fitted in the bungalow so far but that is heating the bedroom and hall well and is too hot to hold your hand on.
In all very, very pleased.
The only teething troubles so far was the belt having a tenancy to run off , this is now cured and the inverters cutting out if asked to do more than 900W continually (error code 2? )

Now to start improving!

N.B the inverters are going to be wired to SFU as required they are plunged in at present so I can evaluate with the energy meter.

I hope the images make sense. (and display - preview is not working!)







The meters in the house


Many thanks to all who have helped and especially Ken B for the inspiration to go ahead.

More info and images on this link. http://www.dpks.co.uk/CHP/main.htm
D ick

[knighty]

looking good, glad to see it's all up running and working :-)


how much fuel does it burn through ?

[jotec]

knighty
So far it has generated lots of heat and exported 40ishkW  and used about 20L. Only a very rough estimate from the fuel tanks.

D ick

[knighty]

with 40kw of electric, you should be getting about 80kw of heat....

wow that's pretty good on 20l of veg !



I need to hurry up and get mine sorted !

[bram]

Well done
Looking good, cant seem to get link working for other pics, is it me
Anyway jelous and looking for a suitable cs. How far do you think hot water could be moved, ie. distance from generating shed to house as Ive a really good shed for the purpose but worried its too far away from the house.

[jotec]

Bram
Try this link http://www.dpks.co.uk/CHP/main.htm
Lf it does not work then just type in jotec.co.uk and choose chp.

I am piping the hot water 22m each way at the moment and it is working fine. I used 15mm battier pipe in climaflex insulation buried about 2 feet deep. The radiator system is 'flow through' ie the water all goes through the rad(s) this is because the return from the rads feeds the exhaust heat exchanger before returning to the tank.
I am getting so much heat that I am having to leave toe doe of hte bunker openb at the moment to cool the tank which is not yet insulated. I intend to blow the heat from the bunker into my workshop. The bunker was above 50c today!

Knighty
Get on with yours, the amount of heat is very impressive. I am running till I have used 40 L before topping up and then I will have a better idea of exactly how much it is using per hour.
The lister seems happiness at about 1500W and 350rpm. As I type this TV lights, computer etc are on and we are exporting 900w It has been running solidly since 7.30 this am, will switch off about 11 tonight. I want to run during the day for a few more days and need to fit a relay to shut of disconnect and reconnect the PMA automatically before I run it all night.

D ick

[EccentricAnomaly]

So far it has generated lots of heat and exported 40ishkW  and used about 20L.

Rate vs quantity?  I think you mean 40ishkWh.

[jotec]

EccentricAnomaly
Yes kWh is what it was supposed to be.

[Mostie]

Yes, well done from me as well, crappy windsave's put to good use at last 

[hawkie]

Jotec,

well what can I say.

Absolutely brilliant, Puts my bodge up to shame

Regards  Hawkie 

[daftlad]

Wonderful bit of bodgeneering.
Some questions.....
What sort of alternator?
what voltage?
is that a starter connected to the alternator?
can it automatically start?
does the coolant thermosyphon into the tank and then do you pump the coolant to the house to heat the radiator?
once again, brilliant use of an old girl (the cs)
ta ta

[desperate]

Cool, well hot really, worth some good karma without a doubt


all the best

Desperate

[daftlad]

Wonderful bit of bodgeneering.
Some questions.....
What sort of alternator?
what voltage?
is that a starter connected to the alternator?
can it automatically start?
does the coolant thermosyphon into the tank and then do you pump the coolant to the house to heat the radiator?
once again, brilliant use of an old girl (the cs)
ta ta

Ignore the questions, I have found your blog (again) and will now have a read
ta ta

[jotec]

daftlad
The only ones that might not be obvious in the blog are:-

what voltage? -----currently (!!!) at 240 is DC

can it automatically start? ------ not yet but I have a plc to add later.

does the coolant thermosyphon into the tank and then do you pump the coolant to the house to heat the radiator? --- yes. The house is 3M above the bunker and I di not want to load the head gasket.

D ick

[daftlad]

I like the starter motor soloution.
Did you consider rectifying the output from the 240 volt ac alternator like some people do with the navitron hydro turbines, you would end up with quite a lot more than 240 volt though. Bit late to be suggesting this though, sorry, and for that matter the PMG is much more efficient.
I take it you use a plate heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the tank? do you pump the input to the PHE as well as the output, or does it thermosyphen?
ta ta