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If only it was possible to hook up on single-phase house mains an arc torch-based plasma gasifier to direct those toxic fumes into. I specifically looked for ac

If only it was possible to hook up on single-phase house mains an arc torch-based plasma gasifier to direct those toxic fumes into. I specifically looked for access to three-phase power when choosing a residence because I don't see power consumption requirements for the metal sintering gear coming down anytime soon.

jacquesm 12y ago
Most larger fuel powered welders have a triphase output. If you don't use it all the time that may be an acceptable alternative.
- yourapostasy 12y ago
  Thank you very much for pointing that out! Since such a printer wouldn't run all the time, this should be a great fit. Once biogas generators are integrated better with biogas cleaning and upgrading equipment to produce sufficiently concentrated methane to meet manufacturer specs for natural gas-powered equipment, perhaps with liquid nitrogen (highly useful for many sustainability hacking projects), then even the energy extraction externalities of such a gasifier could get quite respectable.
reportingsjr 12y ago
FYI you can use either a static phase converter or rotary converter to convert from single phase to three phase. A decent 20A three phase static converter will run you about $500. Much easier than trying to find a house with three phase!
- yourapostasy 12y ago
  Yes, good point, thanks for pointing that out. I did look into phase converters, but at the time was considering continuous usage of three phase power, due to the energy losses. Of course with an infrequently-used 3D metal sintering printer, it becomes much more practical to deploy a phase converter for just the printer's gasifier. Bonus: the well-built digital controlled rotary phase converters can last 30+ years, and from my poor electrical ed-shu-ma-ka-shun I understand these better ones yield a true analog sine wave good enough for even very sensitive electronics.

jacquesm 12y ago

Most larger fuel powered welders have a triphase output. If you don't use it all the time that may be an acceptable alternative.

yourapostasy 12y ago
Thank you very much for pointing that out! Since such a printer wouldn't run all the time, this should be a great fit. Once biogas generators are integrated better with biogas cleaning and upgrading equipment to produce sufficiently concentrated methane to meet manufacturer specs for natural gas-powered equipment, perhaps with liquid nitrogen (highly useful for many sustainability hacking projects), then even the energy extraction externalities of such a gasifier could get quite respectable.

reportingsjr 12y ago

FYI you can use either a static phase converter or rotary converter to convert from single phase to three phase. A decent 20A three phase static converter will run you about $500. Much easier than trying to find a house with three phase!

yourapostasy 12y ago
Yes, good point, thanks for pointing that out. I did look into phase converters, but at the time was considering continuous usage of three phase power, due to the energy losses. Of course with an infrequently-used 3D metal sintering printer, it becomes much more practical to deploy a phase converter for just the printer's gasifier. Bonus: the well-built digital controlled rotary phase converters can last 30+ years, and from my poor electrical ed-shu-ma-ka-shun I understand these better ones yield a true analog sine wave good enough for even very sensitive electronics.