Simple Thermal Heat Transfer Finite Element Analysis in Excel 2007

While some free finite element analysis software is available, the engineer or student can learn a lot about how FEA works by constructing a simple model from scratch in a commonly available spreadsheet program such as Excel.  The technique presented here can simulate a two dimensional flat plate of uniform thickness.  Each boundary element can be an arbitrary fixed-temperature or insulated.  The resultant temperature of each active element is iteratively calculated by simply averaging the temperatures of the adjacent cells.  Read the rest of this entry »

Waste Oil Furnace Secrets

This article explains the important points in converting a standard Beckett AFG oil burner to burn waste motor oil, used ATF, fryer grease or waste vegetable oil in your experimental furnace, heater or boiler.  Read the rest of this entry »

Heating With Biodiesel In A Home Oil Furnace or Boiler

Biodiesel may be reliably burned in a standard home oil burning furnace or boiler with a few minimal modifications accomplished with off the shelf parts. 

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