In reply to David Roberson's message of Sun, 4 Aug 2013 16:58:16 -0400 (EDT): Hi, [snip] >This is interesting information. If the cold water input flow rate drops due >to back pressure from the vaporized steam, then there is a serious problem.
I fail to see why. Surely a reduced flow rate would result in a reduction in the measured flow rate as well, which in turn would show up as a reduced power output. If anything, this should make the generator look worse than it actually is? OTOH if steam is being measured by the flow meter, that would be bad, however one would think that anyone in their right mind would put the flow meter on the cold water side of the device (i.e. the input)? > Most of my considerations have been based upon the belief that the flow rate > was accurately measured. Unfortunately, if that reading was reduced by > pressure from the vapor downstream, then the power calculations is in doubt. > I have also been concerned about the lack of noise which should be associated > with the escaping steam. As far as I'm concerned the power calculations are in doubt anyway. Not from the flow meter, but from the output temperature measurement. From the diagram that was posted here recently I got the impression that the output thermocouple wasn't even measuring the temperature of the output water at all, but rather the temperature at some point in the reactor (possible too hasty a conclusion?). Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
