Author Topic: Anthracite Coal For Cold Weather  (Read 28366 times)

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Offline rossw

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Re: Anthracite Coal For Cold Weather
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2012, 07:16:10 pm »
I'm sure this has been tried,...If this stuff burns so hot when it's going,...couldn't you use a sterling engine drive a genny??

I would think that the very low operating efficiency of a stirling engine would make it impractical to use with anything other than completely free or waste heat.

Actually burning fuel or premium coal for a few percent efficiency seems like environmental vandalism :)

Offline ChrisOlson

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Re: Anthracite Coal For Cold Weather
« Reply #16 on: February 05, 2012, 05:39:40 pm »
Yes, Ross makes a good point.  You would have to run a heat engine off the waste heat going up the stack.  Our furnace is around 90% efficient and very little heat actually escapes up the stack unless a person deliberately opens the draft and damper when re-firing it.  Once it's on automatic, there is so little heat that escapes up the chimney that it wouldn't be practical to try to use it.
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Chris