"Michael Askin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >I know a couple of folks here can answer this - on a heavy runs (for >example river running) how much coal is used per hour and what does >coal cost these days? > >The reason I ask is that I was talking about a boat on another forum >that used 200 litres / hour (doing 35 knots), and then some one in the >states put that into money cost, so I then told him how much fuel >costs here, and then told him about the increase in costs. Then came >up the cheapness of sailing, then someone mentioned coal was cheap.
A steam engine is very much less efficient than a diesel. That's why there are almost no commercial steam-powered vessels these days. When I was converting my barge (late 1980s), I looked seriously into installing a (modern, fully automated, oil fired) steam engine in it. I even had one designed, with a very clever boiler. However, I abandoned the idea when I came to the conclusion that it would use well over twice as much oil per hour as a diesel. Ah, but the silence and lack of vibration would have been nice. And a whistle! If I ever do another barge, I will seriously investigate an electric drive. If only there were a better and cost-effective technology for storing electricity than lead-acid cells. I know this doesn't answer the question, but I hope it is useful background. It is my impression that coal is far from cheap. But then, what does "cheap" mean? I think the comparison between the two fuels will have to be on a £/kWh basis. Adrian . Adrian Stott 07956-299966
