2007 Annual Report for FNC06-600
Complete Distillation of Ethanol by Solar Concentrating Method
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
The work I have done on the Solar Concentrator is related to the engineering and design work of the concentrator as well as the design work on the still.
I have used the preliminary money for the purchase of various equipment needed to carry out my project including, a large Scientific Atlanta communications dish that will measure approximately 15 feet in diameter as well as all the mirrors for the reflecting surface, the metal and other components to set the large dish in place, and presently I am working on the structure to hold the large dish mechanical apparatus in the ground.
Also I have used the money to go and pick up the large dish and haul it home from southern Missouri.
RESULTS
The results are related to assembling the large concentrator in an area near our building. We are still engineering the supports and concrete pillars for the base. I’ve learned that a large 15-foot-diameter dish is not something you can just put up in a day or a week. It takes quite a bit of time to get all the components together.
WORK PLAN
My plans for 2008 are to set the concentrator, motorize the equipment and construct the distillery that will follow the sun and concentrator. Perhaps complete the work on the grant project by end of year.
OUTREACH
I have shared this project with scores of people, many coming to our Winery and orchard over the course of the last year.
I will share with those who come to our U-Pick fruit orchard my aspirations and projects.
I also am a speaker at the National SARE conference in Kansas City, MO in late March 2008.