The first in th world (any-fuel) home power station VTES:
- provides private houses with "green" electricity and heating
- runs on any biofuel (including solid ones: wood, pellets etc.)
- is powered by the innovative steam engine
contacts:
VKontakte
Новости проекта "КРОПАТ"
03.09.2023
На днях были проведены первые испытания парового котла для будущего паромобиля ПА-1. В качестве испытательного стенда использовалась паровая электростанция ВТЭС-1, к которой был подсоединен котел паромобиля вместо штатного котла. Испытания показали, что котел может функционировать в запланированных рабочих режимах. Далее будут проведены дополнительные испытания и проверки всех систем мобильной паровой установки, а затем приступим к монтажу котла и парового двигателя на шасси ПА-1.
Ниже можно посмотреть краткий видеоролик о прошедших испытаниях.
Новости
21.05.2023
Закончена сборка котлового агрегата для парового автомобиля ПА-1. Это модульный паровой котел универсального назначения. На первом этапе он будет применен в двухтопливном варианте: на газе и на пеллетах. В скором времени будут проведены испытания котла, а потом планируется монтаж на шасси ПА-1.
Ниже приведено фото котлоагрегата.
Новости
18.02.2023
Продолжается работа над проектом парового автомобиля ПА-1. Идет разработка всех компонентов будущего паромобиля: двигателя, котла, вспомогательных агрегатов. Выбрано и дорабатывается шасси паромобиля на основе легкого грузовика ВИС. Ниже приведены фото шасси.
Newsof the project "KROPAT"
02.10.2021
На днях была закончена сборка парового двигателя для паромобиля ПА-1 "КРОПАТ". На текущем этапе проекта в качестве парового котла используется котел от прототипа паровой электростанции ВТЭС-1.
Был проведен первый пробный запуск, который показал работоспособность двигателя и его соответствие расчетным параметрам по вибрации. Ниже размещен видеоролик этого запуска.
Новости
02.10.2021
For today there have been completed the development of the first model of the project "KROPAT" - home power station VTES-1. Project team have assembled the prototype of VTES-1 and tested it running on various fuels and at different working modes. Further development and improvements of prototype are being planned in cooperation with companies interested in production of small power stations working on solid fuels.
Now the KROPAT project team have started the development of steam automobile named SA-1 "KROPAT". The steam engine of SA-1 will be based on technologies developed for VTES-1. Some planned parameters for SA-1 are: vehicle type - light truck, payload - up to 1 tonne, fuel - firewood, test fuel consumption - less than 30 kg/100 km, water mileage - unlimited.
News
14.07.2021
This week there have been released the printed issue N29 of the "Expert" magazine, which includes the article "On firewood and at full steam" (in Russian) about our project "KROPAT". This article describes the current situation with our project, the criticism of the project (with our comments in response), and the prospects for the project.
News
02.07.2021
Today there have been carrying out tests of the prototype of VTES-1 was tested while it was simulating a home power plant.
To simulate a home electrical network, a set of 4 bulbs of 100 watts each was used. A special module of the control system was turning on and off the light bulbs so that the electrical load was changed periodically from 0 to 100%. All time during test the prototype worked at a constant power level, and the generated electricity was directed, depending on the current consumption, either to light bulbs, or to a buffer battery, or to ballast heating elements. The AGM battery 12V with a capacity of 100 A*h was used as a buffer.
The control system was set up to prioritize the generation of electricity for "home" consumption, in our case, for light bulbs. If the consumption is less than the output, then the excess is directed to the battery. If the output exceeds both consumption and battery charging, then the remainder goes to ballast heating elements for dissipation in the atmosphere in the form of heated air. If the consumption exceeds the output, then the deficiency is covered from the battery.
Tests have shown that the prototype generally works successfully and VTES-1 can be used as a home power plant around the clock, regardless of the current energy consumption of the household. But it turned out that the AGM battery has a too low level of maximum charging current, and can not accept the required electrical power in the absence of electricity consumption. In this case, most of the electricity is dissipated in the air through the ballast heating elements. For the use of electricity at full, buffer batteries should be able to take 100% of the electricity generated. To achieve that goal, it is planned to assemble a new buffer system consisting of several lithium batteries with a high charging current. When this assembly would be completed, new tests will be carried out. The target is to achieve 100% use of the electricity generated by the prototype.
Below you can watch videos of the tests.
News
25.05.2021
A prototype of the model VTES-1 equipped with energy storage system was tested yesterday. This system is a last missing element in the prototype to be used as a home power station.
The energy storage system allows VTES to store generated electricity in buffer battery and use it on demand from control system of VTES. That allows VTES to run on the mode of constant power output, while the generated electricity can be directed either to the current consumption of electricity, or to the buffer battery to store for use in future. So the consumer gets the option to spend electricity sometimes at much more level of power than power capacity of VTES even at full run. The maximum level of accessible power for consumer is equal to sum of current power output from VTES and disgarging power from buffer battery.
The video featuring the test of prototype with buffer (energy storage) system will be posted later.
News
07.04.2021
Recently there have been carried out the tests of new special sub-system for VTES prototype: the generator's constant output voltage (SCOV ) maintenance system. SCOV is a system that is similar to the speed controller being used in a conventional diesel or gasoline generator. For example, when additional electrical consumers start to connect to a running (any) gas generator, the engine can not cope with the increased load. The rotating speed of engine drops and the output voltage of the generator decreases. Then the speed regulator increases the fuel supply, the engine power rises up to the new level of the power of the current consumption of the generated electricity, the engine (and generator) speed increases and returns to the nominal value (most often 3000 rpm and 220AC Volts, respectively). Usually, a mechanical speed regulator of the centrifugal type is used, and the internal combustion engine reacts quickly enough to the change of the fuel supply so the gas generator works at constant speed (and voltage) in various load ranges.
But such regulator can not be used in a steam power plant, since the steam engine reacts relatively slowly to changes in the fuel supply for the steam boiler. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a special system - SCOV - that could maintain the current voltage of the VTES generator at constant level from 12 to 14 Volts, which is operating range of inverter. That level should be kept even if the electrical load sharply changes from 0 to the maximum value and vice versa. If the generator gives out too low (or too high) voltage, the inverter will turn off and stop supplying 220AC volts for a quite long time.
Thus, the task of the SCOV is to maintain a constant level of voltage of the generator until the fuel system would change the fuel supply in accordance with the new level of the consumed electric power, and the working steam could reach the necessary parameters.
The testing of SCOV was successful, and below you can watch a short video clip featuring the test. The video shows the period when the electric load has been changing (control system turned on and off the several 100-watt bulbs). The LCD (blue indication) was displaying the readings of the generator voltage.
News of the project "KROPAT"
30.03.2021
Today we have carried out the first test run of modified prototype of the model VTES-1. The main improvement was the integration of the control system with other systems of prototype in one casing. Previously the control system was placed seperately on the wall. Now the prototype presents generally how the future model VTES-1 could be looked like (of course, the overall design should be improved). There are three control boxes on the front panel of prototype casing. The left one is automatic control system, the center and right boxes are manual control system reserved for the accident if the automatic system would fail.
The test run was successful, all systems of prototype have been working in the usual mode, electricity and heat were generated on the planned levels. Now the modified prototype can be used as pilot model. That means it has all basic features and characteristics of the future model VTES-1, and can be tested before making decision about mass production.
Below there is placed a video of test run of modified prototype of VTES-1.
News
08.02.2021
There have been added some new pages to our web-site. Now these pages are in Russian, but we plan to translate them in English as soon as possible. Meanwhile these pages could be seen untranslated in English version of this web-site.
News
16.01.2021
Now we are preparing the new pages of our website. The first one, named "Economics of VTES" will be intended to inform about various economical aspects of usage of VTES. Simply put, there will be described why the electric energy from VTES should be cheaper than from other sources of electricity. The second page, named "Why 1 KW only" will explain why it is more effective (and more profitable and cost-saving) to use VTES-1 (1 KW) with 5 KW buffer capacity rather than more powerful VTES-5 (5 KW), even if the household of user sometimes demands the electrical power up to 5 KW.
As for the near future of KROPAT project development it is planned to modify the VTES prototype in order to fit all systems and components in a single casing. So the improved prototype should be made as a working sample of home power plant, which is ready to be installed in any suitable place.
News
28.12.2020
Today we have carried out the test to determine the efficiency of the VTES prototype. This test has been planned a long time ago, and intended to clarify the efficiency of converting the heat of combustion of fuel into useful work being done by the VTES steam engine. This is the first test of this kind, and the results been obtained are preliminary and serve to estimate the correctness of the design decisions being made during the development of VTES.
The test lasted nearly 20 minutes. The prototype was partly loaded and run on bottled gas (propane-butane mixture) as a fuel. During the test, 400 grams of fuel were consumed, and the generator produced 142 Watt-hour of electricity. Then we should take into account the facts that the conversion factor of the generator is 0.42, and the calorific value of our fuel (according to the reference book) is 36 MJ per kg. After calculation we derive that the total efficiency (or conversion factor of the heat of the fuel into useful engine work) is approximately 8.5% . This is the "mechanical" efficiency of the VTES prototype being in its current state. In other words, it is the so-called "shaft" power to heat power( released during fuel combustion) ratio.
Despite the fact that the obtained value of efficiency looks quite small, it is a very good result which demonstrates a great perspectives for the "KROPAT" project. The reduction of efficiency was caused by several negative factors: the engine was tested with partial load (one third of the optimal level), a steam boiler run without an economizer (removed for modernization), the engine cylinder has a too low steam expansion ratio (one third of the planned for future) now, steam piping were made conveniently for prototype development but in too long ways, insulation of all "hot" elements is quite thin, and some other reasons. In addition, the test steam pressure was 12-13 bar, and test steam temperature was 190-210 degrees C., while it is planned for serial VTES-1 model to have 20 bar and 250 degrees respectively. According to our calculations made on the basis of the test been carried out, and after removing all the shortcomings of the current prototype and subsequent modernization, the future VTES-1 operating at the standard mode will have a full "mechanical" efficiency about 20%. In that case "electrical" efficiency (the electricity generated by VTES in relation to the thermal energy of the fuel burnt) is expected to be up to 15%.
For comparison, during the last years of "steam era" in USSR there was produced the mobile powerblock P-25. It was the most compact power plant powered by steam engine. It had a power of 25 hp and a full "mechanical" efficiency of 5.8% .
Below you can see a video clip taken during the test.
News
12.12.2020
Yesterday there have been carried out the work for estimation of mechanical power output from the steam engine of the VTES prototype. That task needs in calibration of alternator being used in the VTES prototype. So the alternator was directly coupled with electric motor which has the known technical parameters. Then we took the readings from test power while the electric motor served as a steam engine and alternator run in the nominal working mode.
The results of calibration have showed that alternator converts to electric energy just 42% of all mechanical energy being supplied to it. The reason of such low efficiency level is in origin of alternator. During the development of prototype we have applied the DC electic motor as an alternator. That motor works as inverted electric machine and is very convenient for various tests but has low efficiency.
Now it became possible to estimate the mechanical power output of steam engines being developed within project "KROPAT". There are two tested engines: with one cylinder and with two cylinders. Taking into account the previous tests, the two-cylinder engine delivers more then 2700 Watts in long-term mode, and the one-cylinder engine exceeds 1200 Watts.
It is well-known that usual alternators being used in power gensets have the quite high efficiency - up to 80%. So the 2-cylinder VTES being equipped with such alternator will have electric power output of more then 2700 Watts, and 1-cylinder VTES will have about 1000 Watts.
As a result of received data, from today there will be developing two models of VTES having electric outputs of 1 and 2 KW. They will be named VTES-1 and VTES-2 respectively.
For the nearest future we plan to carry out the long-term test of the 2-cylinder prototype to obtain the data for calculation of the overall efficiency of VTES.
FOTO: Alternator is coupled with electric motor
News
22.11.2020
Today there have been carried out new tests of modified prototype of VTES-1. During last few months we have fulfilled some modifications, and the main of them was optimisation of engine cylinders. On the right there could be seen a video clip featuring the moment of test. The results of test have showed that modifications were successful and output parameters of prototype have increased.
During video demonstration of test you can see some meters and gauges: manometer, voltmeter, wattmeter, and rotation meter. The wattmeter was being pale a little but the indication can be seen still. In comparison with previous test the electric power have increased from 920 to 1142 Watts (second view) while the rotation have decreased from 1340 to 1140 rev/min. The steam pressure have rised slightly from 13 to 15 bar. In addition there have been observed a reduction of steam consumption.
News
29.07.2020
Today the VTES prototype was tested running on the parameters which are close to the "standard" operating mode of the future VTES-1 model. Below there is a video clip of the test.
In these tests, the following scheme for generating electricity was applied: the engine rotates a DC alternator, the alternator provides a direct voltage to the 24/220 inverter, the inverter feeds a set of ballast loads (a heater and a few of bulbs). Energy consumption is dynamically regulated by the VTES control system, and the consumed electric power is controlled by a watt-meter.
The video shows the main parameters of the prototype being tested. First of all, a wattmeter featuring "920 W" is shown (soon the power lowers as planned). Then LCD display indicates the rotation of the engine, from 1320 to 1340 rpm. Further the multimeter points a constant voltage of about 25 volts. After that the manometer displays a working pressure of 13 bar. At the end of the video, two thermometers are placed on the water pipes of the cooling system. The first one is fitted to the pipe that drives heated coolant from the VTES and indicates 82 degrees centigrade. The second one sits on the pipe that returns coolant from external radiators to VTES. Its value is 76 degrees. The home heating system of VTES will operate on this temperature difference.
The successfull test made it possible to clarify the technical outline of the future VTES-1 model. The main amendement is that VTES-1 will have the nominal (standard) operating mode with constant (permanent) electric power output about 1000 watts. In this mode (e.g. during the winter season) VTES will work around the clock and provide the heating with a thermal power of 10 kW. If necessary, the thermal power (along with heating) could be increased, and at the same time the generation of electricity would rise (up to 2 KW). It is also possible to use the "economic" mode of operation of VTES with reduced permanent generation of electricity and heat.
The electrical power consumption of an ordinary household varies during the day-and-night from 0 to a certain maximum of a few kilowatts. On the other hand, the average power consumption per day usually does not exceed 1 kW. So VTES running in nominal mode will store "excess" electricity in batteries. Then it will be possible to obtain electricity with a peak power of up to 5 kW.
In the summer season VTES could work periodically until the batteries would be fully charged. That "periodic" mode let VTES does not work "idle" when there is no need in electricity in the house. As a result that would save fuel and prolong the working life of VTES.
News
09.06.2020
A new version of the site of the "KROPAT" project has been released today. We have added new pages, updated actual information and made some corrections and clarifications.
News
19.04.2020
Today, the new valve system was successfully tested in the two-cylinder engine. For the first time the prototype of VTES has achieved the output of mechanical power over 1000 watts during the long-term operation. The electric power being consumed by the ballast heating elements was 820 watts. The tests were carried out on propane gas.
At the next stage of the project, some systems of prototype will be modified to increase electric power output. An inverter will be fitted in prototype to convert 12 Volt DC to 220 Volt AC. After such modification, we plan to carry out "consumer" test. That means using conventional household electrical appliances to simulate the operation of VTES in an ordinary private house. In addition, the fuel consumption of prototype working at a certain power level will be measured and the real value of the VTES efficiency will be determined.
The short video fragment of the tests performed is posted below.
News
10.12.2019
During the last half of the year, the focus of project was concentrated on developing and improving various systems of VTES "KROPAT".
In particular, a new valve-type steam distribution system has been developed, manufactured and tested as part of VTES. During the tests, that valve system proved to be the most efficient compared to previously tested "spool" and "spigot" steam distribution systems. There were also developed and tested a new feed pump and a vacuum pump for condensated water.
In the near future, it is planned to integrate new systems into the prototype of the VTES "KROPAT" and carry out tests for efficiency and power output of the VTES.