DIY Steam Turbines
A steam turbine is a machine that converts energy from pressurized steam into rotational motion. As it heats, the expanding steam moves blades in a rotor that drives a shaft. This principle has been used to drive electrical power generators since the 19th century. It remains the most common method for power generation. Such turbine motion can be produced at home in a kitchen or garage with a few common gadgets.
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Things You'll Need
- Tin can with screw-on lid
- Brass tubing
- Small nail
- Jeweler’s screwdriver
- Diagonal cutters
- Pliers
- Soldering gun
- Solder wire
- Beaded brass chain
- Support stand and clamp
- Kettle
- Blow torch
Instructions
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1
Empty the can of its contents. Remove all paper and adhesives around the can and lid. Wash the can and lid thoroughly.
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2
Punch two holes into the can about one-eighth inch below the rim of the can itself using a nail or screwdriver. The holes must be directly opposite each other.
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3
Cut two pieces of thin brass tubing each about one inch long. Ensure that the end of one is wide open. Squeeze the end of the second one with the pliers to make a nozzle. Insert a tube into each hole in the can ensuring that the both the open and the nozzle ends are on the outside of the can. Bend the tubes so that they lay tangential to the can sides.
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4
Solder the tubes to the can sides to seal around the holes. Solder a 14-inch-long brass chain to the center of the lid of the can.
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5
Heat water in the kettle until it is nearly boiling. Pour the water into the can and screw on the lid. Clamp the support chain to the laboratory stand so that the can is suspended securely leaving six inches of space above the surface. Leave about three inches of the brass chain to wrap around the clamp for extra support.
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6
Heat the underside of the can with a blow torch so the water inside begins to boil and produce steam. When the steam has built up to a high enough pressure inside the can, it is forced out through the tubes and nozzles. This force spins the can like a turbine.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure that the can does not run dry as this will overheat the solder and melt it.
Ensure that the nozzles are not too small for the steam to escape. Excessive pressure build-up in the can could result in an explosion.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
