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I know this forum is more focused on the future technologies that are slightly more difficult to understand and/or build, but I thought something that anyone can do would be good.
Methane Gas is cheap and easy to produce. All you need is a large container, water, and plant and/or animal waste. Some time for the oxygen to be sucked up by the aerobic bacteria so the anaerobic bacteria can form and begin to break down the waste to produce methane.
Once the methane begins to pour out of, lets say, a 5 gallon (~20L jug) a constant flame is easily maintained. A constant heat source or methane source can be used for dozens of different electric generators. Mind you one 5 gallon (~20L jug) is not enough to power the average home (at ~12kw), but it can certainly prove a concept and is cheap to do.
There are many links about this out there on the net and many projects that are simply missing a cheap and easy heat source are easily completed with this.
The other nice thing with this is that it is simply using part of the natural cycles that exist to maintain everything. Despite what the political scene wants us to believe. Burning methane produced from waste produces Co2 which helps to feed the plants more carbon and give us more oxygen to breath. The plants need the carbon to make then stronger. More plant cover means less heat being absorbed by the ground. In the long run, it is a cooling effect....not a heating effect.
Anywho, back to the links that share some basics of how to do this.
Making of DIY Biogas Plant, Anaerobic Digester Experiment
how to build a methane digester? | The Public School
DIY Methane Generator
Keep in mind this is not a closed system. More waste will need to be put into the container of choice as the anaerobic bacteria eats it and the leftover crud from when the waste is spent is great soil for plants.
A few safety things as well.
Be sure to use a diffuser so that there is never a chance for too much pressure to build up. One of those links has a picture of a basic pressure controller (diffuser). Methane is combustible. With that being said, you do this experiment at your own risk. Starting smaller is probably a good idea.
The list of options for using the heat source are quite extensive, but I was thinking the cheapest and easiest ones are stirling engines and thermopiles.
Knowing thermopiles are not great, stirling engines are probably a good way to go. There are the more expensive thermoelectric ceramic stuffs too, but if the target is cheap, they are not exactly on the list.
Steam engines can become very dangerous because of the pressure that needs to be contained. However, they seem to be the most popular with this type of setup.
The only thing that is really needed after this point is a generator/alternator to use the mechanical power if that is the route chosen and an inverter.
Much cheaper and far less of a headache then most of the other alternatives. It also will provide a good motivator to learn more about alternative/free energy systems.
Methane Gas is cheap and easy to produce. All you need is a large container, water, and plant and/or animal waste. Some time for the oxygen to be sucked up by the aerobic bacteria so the anaerobic bacteria can form and begin to break down the waste to produce methane.
Once the methane begins to pour out of, lets say, a 5 gallon (~20L jug) a constant flame is easily maintained. A constant heat source or methane source can be used for dozens of different electric generators. Mind you one 5 gallon (~20L jug) is not enough to power the average home (at ~12kw), but it can certainly prove a concept and is cheap to do.
There are many links about this out there on the net and many projects that are simply missing a cheap and easy heat source are easily completed with this.
The other nice thing with this is that it is simply using part of the natural cycles that exist to maintain everything. Despite what the political scene wants us to believe. Burning methane produced from waste produces Co2 which helps to feed the plants more carbon and give us more oxygen to breath. The plants need the carbon to make then stronger. More plant cover means less heat being absorbed by the ground. In the long run, it is a cooling effect....not a heating effect.
Anywho, back to the links that share some basics of how to do this.
Making of DIY Biogas Plant, Anaerobic Digester Experiment
how to build a methane digester? | The Public School
DIY Methane Generator
Keep in mind this is not a closed system. More waste will need to be put into the container of choice as the anaerobic bacteria eats it and the leftover crud from when the waste is spent is great soil for plants.
A few safety things as well.
Be sure to use a diffuser so that there is never a chance for too much pressure to build up. One of those links has a picture of a basic pressure controller (diffuser). Methane is combustible. With that being said, you do this experiment at your own risk. Starting smaller is probably a good idea.
The list of options for using the heat source are quite extensive, but I was thinking the cheapest and easiest ones are stirling engines and thermopiles.
Knowing thermopiles are not great, stirling engines are probably a good way to go. There are the more expensive thermoelectric ceramic stuffs too, but if the target is cheap, they are not exactly on the list.
Steam engines can become very dangerous because of the pressure that needs to be contained. However, they seem to be the most popular with this type of setup.
The only thing that is really needed after this point is a generator/alternator to use the mechanical power if that is the route chosen and an inverter.
Much cheaper and far less of a headache then most of the other alternatives. It also will provide a good motivator to learn more about alternative/free energy systems.
methane can be modified to produce hydrogen
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