QUOTE: Originally posted by Hugh Jampton QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz How about a solar-powered electric locomotive? There could be an array of photo-voltaic cells all across the top of the locomotives, as well as numerous solar collectors along the right-of-way feeding the power directly into overhead wires. There could also be a connection to the main power grid to be used on cloudy days, and when the trains are not using the power, or if there is an excess of power in the system, the solar power could be sold back to the utility companies. OK,, lets throw some numbers at this and see what happens. The amount of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface is roughly 1 horsepower per square yard (it varies quite a bit over the latitudes covered byu the US, but that's an easy average to work with) Solar panals are around 10-15% efficient (a 1 square yard panel receiving 1HP of sunlight will produce 1/10th HP of useable electricity) A modern loco is around 4000 HP, so doing the math means that 40,000 square yards of collecting area are required for each loco you intend to run. That's 7.5 football fields.
QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz How about a solar-powered electric locomotive? There could be an array of photo-voltaic cells all across the top of the locomotives, as well as numerous solar collectors along the right-of-way feeding the power directly into overhead wires. There could also be a connection to the main power grid to be used on cloudy days, and when the trains are not using the power, or if there is an excess of power in the system, the solar power could be sold back to the utility companies.
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc I have been non-PC all my life, I don't plan on changin now. I have sensitivity for those who do not know and ask a question, I have none for those who are clueless and post absurd and completely incorrect information. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity.
Have fun with your trains
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc People should think JUST a little before they post. If you don't know, don't post.
QUOTE: Originally posted by piouslion AJ: I know a few plant managers that would probably look at you with all the love and careing of your fourth grade teacher after a successfull spitball attack and ask you into her/his office for a little adjustment for that kind of idea on lighting.
QUOTE: But the color of steam is usually enough to get the public going, especially when the hyperbolic type cooling towers (not to be confused with the forsed draft variety) are used in non-nuclear applications such as a coal fired electric generating plant or a chemical plant. I have had people swear that the cooling curtians are nuclear reactors when I was working in the construction of a coal plant near Macon GA. One even called me a conspiritor and a liar against the public good when I was his host on a guided tour of the place. Go figure- PL
QUOTE: Originally posted by ajmiller QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc "He threw Nuclear man right into the hatch at the bottom of the cooling tower where all the radioactive steam comes out. You know, the steam you see coming out of the cooling tower? " This is NOT radioactive steam ot water. The cooling towers are NOT for the steam that goes through the turbine, but it is for the condenser water. Each is a closed syetem and the waters do not co-mingle. Really? I saw it in the movie therefore it must be true! [;)] NO, I know it's not radioactive. And I know the difference between a BWR and a PWR too. What do you think about my idea to shine blue lights on the cooling towers? We could shine them on the cooling towers at fossil plants too just for fun. When you see pictures of nuclear plants on TV, what do you see? Cooling Towers! If it's got cooling towers, it must be a nuclear plant.
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc "He threw Nuclear man right into the hatch at the bottom of the cooling tower where all the radioactive steam comes out. You know, the steam you see coming out of the cooling tower? " This is NOT radioactive steam ot water. The cooling towers are NOT for the steam that goes through the turbine, but it is for the condenser water. Each is a closed syetem and the waters do not co-mingle.
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarcPeople should think JUST a little before they post. If you don't know, don't post.
QUOTE: Originally posted by talbanese QUOTE: Originally posted by ajmiller The best way to power trains with nuclear energy is to build nuclear power plants and use them to run electric locomotives. This is already happening!!! The NEC receives its power from outside sources which do use nuclear fuel to generate power. So your Acela's are nuclear powered.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ajmiller The best way to power trains with nuclear energy is to build nuclear power plants and use them to run electric locomotives.
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