Rocket Stove/Watertube Boiler Hybrid?

It seems to me the efficiency and high heat of a rocket stove could be harnessed to create steam power. Have any attempts been made to do this?

The only theoretical drawback I see is that a series of watertubes in the secondary combustion chamber (i.e. the "rocket" part) might cool the wood gasses too much to cause ignition. If that obstacle can be overcome, I think there's great potential for making a lot of steam power in an economical manner.

Chris Watson wrote:The only theoretical drawback I see is that a series of watertubes in the secondary combustion chamber (i.e. the "rocket" part) might cool the wood gasses too much to cause ignition. If that obstacle can be overcome, I think there's great potential for making a lot of steam power in an economical manner.

The coil could be placed in the barrel.
More exposed area would compensate for lower heat there.

I have built a "combo" RMH unit that will produce steam and hot water that runs 2 separate coils, 1 around the 4" (insulated)riser, and another looped through the secondary chamber. It works quite well, except it can be a little ticklish to get "kindled up". My stack temperature has yet to exceed 80 degrees F. I have overcome the initial draft problem by the addition of a draft inducer blower, installed in such a way that it can be shut down once the secondary temp is sufficient for sustained drafting. Basically, this works just like a modern 90+% efficiency gas furnace, except it is not necessary to leave the blower in operation during firing. The coils are valved in such a way that I can use them separately or in tandem for water & steam, steam, or just water.

In for photos, I am going hydronic open to atmosphere system and not steam. I haven't worked with live steam and am not afraid of it but not about to start learning on this project. Would love to see what you came up with.

: Thanks, John. If I can have your email address, I'll send you some I-phone pics. I am roy_emerson@hotmail.com. I am new to Permies, and I don't draw well. Sooner or later, I'll get out the mechanical drawing tools, and get this down in black and white.