A daft idea?

[marshon]

Hi guys,

I have plans to construct a simple aluminium smelter. It's a real simple charcoal burner, with a basic blower (a hairdryer in the plans). But since this thing will be used WELL AWAY from the house I was wondering if a Stirling would be powerful enough to drive a fan and make the entire thing 'self contained'? It would save on electric and probably be more robust as well. I was thinking of 'tapping' some of the smelter's own heat as the external combustion required for the engine, but would a Stirling have enough 'oomph' to drive the fan at sufficient speed? I know that friction is the bane of most types of Stirling so I was just wondering really. Something along the lines of the one in this video .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP6UH4Vuxsc

The easiest fan to use would be a centrifugal if I can find one small enough, or build one myself. It's a long term thing so time is less important than money.

Wadda ya all think?

[Rob.Wilson]

Hi marshon

Good to here your getting into casting    ,, i reckon you would be better off making a blower ,,,,, then casting up some part to make the hot air engine 

Cheers Rob