Hi Rex, The Multi engine project was done without my input except after the fact! They could start one but it ended there, plus the concept was flawed due to how the engines were connected to the central shaft. What they did not resolve was how to couple the generator and keep the two separate assembles in line.
The other main factor that worked against the engines all mounted on the same skid, was that the engine harmonics would have begun to destroy the fabrication of the structure. I had long talks with Marine engineers about this after the multi engine inventor left the project. Two separated engines driving a common shaft clutched to allow separated starts and stops, would simplify the switch from peak power to the less than half output that would require only one engine. You also need separate air/gas mixers, as the gas piping will always affect the gas flow in a way that is difficult to instrumentally measure. I usually tune the engine by ear first, then have a fixed mark on the valves for a basic system, and the engine will start with only a few cranks every time. Hope this helps, but let me know if you have any problems. Doug Williams, Fluidyne. > Doug, > > > > I have seen photos on your website of multi-engine operation driving a > central shaft to a single generator. So I know you have done it. We have a > small design that goes nominally up to 40kW as this is the largest petrol > engine we can reasonably find - 7 litre V8. I guess putting two of them in > parallel would be manageable as well. I would be squeamish about the start > up though. _______________________________________________ Gasification mailing list to Send a Message to the list, use the email address [email protected] to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org for more Gasifiers, News and Information see our web site: http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/
