Matthew wrote:
However, along with others, I am keen to see a better system for burning alcohol. I'm experimenting - but lack of time etc......
Here is a link to a site with a backpacking type of burner - but tank fed. Looks promising but I'm not sure of the tank is double skin or not. Any views on whether this is the way to go?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLoMGuYsi0
Perhaps we should have a separate thread on stove development?
Matthew
I'm still experimenting, too.
I couldn't make a Maxie-style burner, neither could I succeed in making a natural draught Origo-style burner that satisfied me. So I've turned my attention to more of a fluidised bed kind of approach, in which air is bubbled up though the fuel to be burned. I'm having moderate success with an aquarium air pump, pushing air up through a small container of alcohol. It's based on a 54mm x 15mm copper pipe reducer.
Included in this photo is a snuffer made from a 54mm end cap, to douse the flame and prevent evaporation between uses. The control of heat output is by adjustment of the airflow alone.
There must be some kind of medium that stops spurting and splashing of liquid fuel. I've tried ceramic fibre (thanks, Jan), and chopped strands of glass fibre, and neither is totally satisfactory. The ceramic fibre seems too dense, it doesn't allow enough air through and holds onto the alcohol too well, not allowing fast enough evaporation. The chopped glass is not much better. Maybe something granular is needed. I'm waiting for some medium vermiculite, which will hold a lot of fluid, or perhaps coarse sand or fine gravel, as used by model railway builders, might be the thing. This medium must be topped off with mesh or perforated metal with the right size of holes. I'm leaning towards grains 1 - 1.5mm and mesh with 1 mm holes.
I bought an adjustable 2-outlet air pump of 6 litres/hour total capacity, not knowing how much air would be needed. It's about right at full throttle, using both outlets, but won't reduce the air flow enough. I have a 2-way valved manifold on order, to be able to adjust through a wider range.