[Stoves] thermo-mechanical stove automation?

[Ronal W. Larson]

David,  cc list

	Per main question -  No I doubt very much that anyone has done any experimentation on “thermo-mechanical actuation”.   I don’t ever recall the subject coming up in our twenty (as Alex noted) years of talking charcoal-making stoves.   As you note, it could well make sense for TLUDs.   The most likely candidate would have been Philips - whose stove went under extensive development, but was unfortunately dropped.  We hear rumors they may pick it up again.  They are receiving valuable PR, and their design is in production by another group, and they may see a way to further their previous (and wonderful) support.  I hope this message can get to them.  Thanks for their past work.

	The key variable would probably be to change the ratio of primary and secondary air.  The areas (not air) needed are about equal.  But tweaking might pay off, especially towards the end of a run.

	Might want also to change a fan air flow to match optimum temperature after a rapid first T-rise to boiling.

	Might want to completely close off all air supplies at the end of a batch.

	There are some larger industrial TLUD systems we hear about, where this could/might make economic sense.

	TLUDs are gaining a little every year.   Thanks for bringing the topic up. 

Ron



As noted recently by Alex English, 
On Jan 28, 2015, at 6:02 PM, David Young <dyoung at pobox.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Jan 28, 2015 at 05:52:12PM -0600, David Young wrote:
>> Has anybody looked at thermo-mechanical actuation of biomass stoves,
>> especially TLUDs?  I.e., using the contraction/expansion of metals due
>> to the heating/cooling of the stove to adjust air supplies, adapt to
>> combustion conditions and stages, et cetera?
> 
> Someone asked privately what I meant, so I will clarify.
> 
> By thermo-mechanical actuation, I mean using a material's expansion,
> contraction, or change of phase to transform heat to a motion that
> performs a control function.  Examples of such actuators are bimetallic
> strips, wax motors, and nitinol wire.
> 
> (I may be abusing the terms "thermo-mechanical" and "actuation"!)
> 
> Dave
> 
> -- 
> David Young
> dyoung at pobox.com    Urbana, IL    (217) 721-9981
> 
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