[Public-list] electric repower, steam and diesel smell

Tue Jun 7 12:48:47 PDT 2005

Roger -
   Steam was the way boats were propelled until the internal combustion
engine matured enough to make it practical for marine application. Now you
only see steam where people have excess heat to get rid of (like a nuclear
plant) or where they have fuel they can't use in a diesel engine - crude oil
or natural gas. Steam may seem simpler, but it's just working fluid - an
energy storage medium that adds another layer of systems between combustion
and mechanical action. You have to burn something to make steam, and you
can't make steam from seawater, so you have to clean it - cleaner than
drinking water.  All this applies to a steam turbine, a reciprocating steam
engine, or a steam-based jet like Pursuit Dynamics. Since they are sending
all the steam out the jet, they have to make a lot of clean water to move a
boat.

I see what they are doing to mix sauces, but I don't see how they are
extracting the heat energy of steam to create a propulsive force!

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org]On Behalf Of Roger L Kingsland
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 11:19 AM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-list] electric repower, steam and diesel smell

Dan,

I looked into electric and Mike Minehold set me straight with his sobering
numbers.  Also, I recently got a notice from one of the companies I
contacted indicating they had a marine "package."  I got prices; over
$10,000 for 2/3 the power I now have at the same weight as my diesel.  This
is WITHOUT any power source; batteries, solar cells, wind generator or
diesel generator.

I am holding out for steam power (http://www.pursuitdynamics.com/marine.php)
which seems to be the next "big idea" in propulsion.  I spoke with the
Pursuit Dynamics' US Rep who said they are focusing on the food service
industry before adding marine.  Of course, something will still need to be
burned to produce the steam but I assume a steam generator is way simpler
than an internal combustion engine.

RE diesel smell, I agree; it stinks and, for me, encourages mal de mare.  I
don't know how effective it will be, but I moved my fuel tank to below the
cockpit so all diesel is in one compartment.  I also have a separate
ventilation system for everything aft of the cabin.  Air flows through
cockpit lockers first then though engine compartment.   I put the exhaust
fan at the downstream end of the air flow (aft end of engine compartment).
This should put the engine compartment under negative pressure which I hope
will prevent diesel smell from getting into the cabin.

Just for yucks, I looked at a 50 footer last week while I was in Miami on
business.  It was closed up tight and had a strong diesel smell.  The broker
told me that Bounce fabric softener absorbs diesel smell.  I guess you just
place fresh sheets on the engine cover.

Roger Kingsland
Chief Boat Boy, Rubber/Scraper, Check Writer and Splash Dreamer
Alberg 30 #148, "PERFECT intentions"
N40-33.92, W79-51.25

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dan walker" <dsailormon at yahoo.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 6:45 PM
Subject: [Public-list] electric repower

> as many know, i have been slowly moving towards repowering from gas to
diesel. then i started thinking about going to electric. stumbled on ngc's
website, and now see their name as a sponsor for the alberg 30 site. looked
to see if anyone has done this in the group but found no refernces. so, has
anyone had any experience in this area? diesel smell has always nauseated me
so this method has a lot of appeal
> constructive comments are welcome
> dan
>
>
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