Cow Dung Boiler. An emergency source of steam for solar powered steam pumping systems like the Sunflower.

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Ernest Bruce
6 years ago
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1 Cow Dung Boiler An emergency source of steam for solar powered steam pumping systems like the Sunflower. Note: Download the pdf to view the entire 22 pages

2 Summary Purpose Solar powered irrigation pumping systems, like the Sunflower, are viewed by this participant as an excellent solution for pumping water in rural Bihar India. A potential issue for these systems is a prolonged period of clouds. Also, if their parabolic dish was damaged, the time required to repair it could result in crop damage. My idea is for the Cow Dung Boiler, a modified version of the Rocket Stove, to serve as an emergency source of steam for the Sunflower or any other pumping system utilizing steam as its energy source. Even if the Cow Dung Boiler was never used, the peace of mind knowing you had a backup plan to prevent disaster would be extremely valuable. Viability The Cow Dung Boiler is as simple as it gets. One page of drawings, with no words, could empower a farmer to build one out of locally sourced materials. Affordability Total cost, including a locally made boiler, is estimated at $15 US. Feasibility It currently exists. Further experiments could be undertaken to further reduce its carbon footprint. Portable It would be a simple matter to disassemble and then transport the Cow Dung Boiler to different wells or markets. Robust The Cow Dung Boiler is capable of delivering as much steam as solar powered systems, but it would require human attention in feeding the dung into the stove and removing ash. Additional Features The boiler could also be used for household cooking. Also, any other steam powered devices (eg electrical generator, etc) could use the boiler for its power source.

3 Futurepump s Sunflower The Sunflower, a solar-powered irrigation pump, is a brilliant solution to the problem faced by Bihar farmers.

4 A parabolic collector dish focuses the sun s energy on a small boiler. The water inside the boiler turns into steam and then powers a very efficient motor and pump.

5 But what if there s a prolonged period of clouds? What happens if the collector dish needs repair and Murphy s Law is in force? The farmer s crops are dying because there s no steam to power the steam engine.

6 This isn t just a question of lost profits. It s a question of survival. Are there any other possible sources of steam the farmer could easily access?

7 YES! In 1982 Dr. Larry Winiarski from the Aprovecho Research Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating efficient cook stoves for use in developing countries, designed the Rocket Stove. The Rocket Stove achieves very efficient combustion of fuel at a high temperature by ensuring a good air draft into the fire, controlled use of fuel, complete combustion of volatiles, and efficient use of the resultant heat. This is what it looks like:

8 Rocket Stove

9 Rocket Stoves are made from metal, bricks and various other materials. 16 Brick Design $5 US to Build

10 Rocket Stove: Brick Design

11 If you recall, inside the Sunflower s boiler, boiling water is creating steam. If you put a boiler on top of a Rocket Stove, couldn t you also generate steam to provide a backup plan in case you have a week of clouds? YES!

12 Steam Line to Sunflower Boiler

13 Sunflower s Motor Steam line from Rocket Stove boiler

14 The Rocket Stove was designed primarily to burn wood. Are there any other possible fuel sources? YES!

15 Cows! Well, not actually cows, but rather something more poetic.

17 Cow Dung in many areas of India is harvested, shaped by hand and sold as fuel.

18 In 2006 a team of researchers at the Aprovecho Research Center modified the Rocket Stove so it could efficiently burn cow dung. Their design was successful, and while it s not as efficient as the original Rocket Stove, it beats diesel engines hands down. Their research on the Cow Dung Stove can be downloaded at:

19 This stove has demonstrated that dung can, in fact, be burned cleanly and efficiently.

20 Boiler Cow Dung Boiler

21 The Cow Dung Boiler in action.

22 The Cow Dung Boiler in action.

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