Supporting > Boilers
Vertical steel boiler
Marinus:
--- Quote from: tel on July 13, 2013, 11:23:36 AM ---I don't want you to take this the wrong way Marinus, but I have a few concerns with your boiler. You have done, from what I can see, a good job of putting it together BUT that 2mm wall thickness is a real worry, While that might well fall within theoretical spec for 40 psi there is absolutely no allowance for wasting or corrosion and would be good for only a few steamings at best.
Also, if you do get a piece of suitable copper pipe, please make sure that it is SEAMLESS as the common plumbing type pipe is just not adequate for the job.
As far as I can discover there are no regulations covering model boilers in South Africa but readers from other places should be aware that most countries do have such regulations and they really do need to be adhered to.
Might I suggest getting hold of the Australian AMBSC boiler codes and adhering to those for any future builds. Boilers built to these specs have a generous safety allowance, I know that some folk consider that they are over cautious, but this is not the case - your safety, and the safety of other must come first.
Also, there are any number of good books on the subject - quite a few of then available for free download on the net.
Be safe, my friend, and live to play another day!
--- End quote ---
I know that this boiler won't last long for real jobs but it wont be steamed often. It has only been steamed twice now. The live steam locos here in SA's boilers are made out of steel, but very thick steel. I made this just as a steam toy. I've seen toy steam boilers that has been made out of 30mm dia and 1mm thick wall steel tube. We have a boiler code here in SA and I have a copy of the boiler code on my computer.
steamer:
--- Quote from: Marinus on July 13, 2013, 11:36:37 AM ---
--- Quote from: tel on July 13, 2013, 11:23:36 AM ---I don't want you to take this the wrong way Marinus, but I have a few concerns with your boiler. You have done, from what I can see, a good job of putting it together BUT that 2mm wall thickness is a real worry, While that might well fall within theoretical spec for 40 psi there is absolutely no allowance for wasting or corrosion and would be good for only a few steamings at best.
Also, if you do get a piece of suitable copper pipe, please make sure that it is SEAMLESS as the common plumbing type pipe is just not adequate for the job.
As far as I can discover there are no regulations covering model boilers in South Africa but readers from other places should be aware that most countries do have such regulations and they really do need to be adhered to.
Might I suggest getting hold of the Australian AMBSC boiler codes and adhering to those for any future builds. Boilers built to these specs have a generous safety allowance, I know that some folk consider that they are over cautious, but this is not the case - your safety, and the safety of other must come first.
Also, there are any number of good books on the subject - quite a few of then available for free download on the net.
Be safe, my friend, and live to play another day!
--- End quote ---
I know that this boiler won't last long for real jobs but it wont be steamed often. It has only been steamed twice now. The live steam locos here in SA's boilers are made out of steel, but very thick steel. I made this just as a steam toy. I've seen toy steam boilers that has been made out of 30mm dia and 1mm thick wall steel tube. We have a boiler code here in SA and I have a copy of the boiler code on my computer.
--- End quote ---
Hey Marinus....we need to talk Son.
I have a love of steam and all things steam powered...clearly you do too. I commend you for that!...it's a mode of power that is now obscure, and needs to be kept in mind.....
But, And at this point Son I want you to listen up!
We need to respect what we doing with it. You have stated that you have a boiler code, and that you have it on your PC...a good start, but hardly sufficient to create a safe boiler. Among the comments already pointed out by Tel, I see no gage glass, lots of grinding on the tube sheet on a piece of material that was already thin, I haven't heard anything about a Hydrostatic test....and on the first steaming you found pin hole leaks......what is wrong here?
The first thing is the material thickness....it's too thin. There's a period at the end of that sentence.
Second of all, you need to do the engineering to assure you have enough material in the right places....the SA boiler code should help you there. The math is not difficult, but its important. I am sure you want to be safe....and the people around you ASSUME you are safe...you need to be responsible enough to do this work...or don't do it at all.
In my book, a first time boiler should be a build of a known working design.
Get a gage glass on that boiler. You'll notice there's another period.
You Always perform a hydrostatic test on a boiler to 1 1/2 times the working pressure before steaming it. Again with a period!
A well constructed boiler is a wonderful thing......a poorly built or designed one is a BOMB.
I strongly urge you to not fire that boiler again.
Respectfully,
Dave (steamer) Global Moderator
Marinus:
The boiler has been tested to 120 psi and then there wasn't any leaks (it has been pickled) so when it got heat it loosend/melted the flux and then there was a leak. The leak couln't be seen by the eye and at first I thought it was a spiders web, but then it was the steam. The gauge glass isn't actually neccesary. I've seen plenty of boilers without a gauge glass that has been factory made. When I am going to build the copper boiler I am going to make a drawing of it and then consult one of you if the design will work.
Jo:
--- Quote from: Marinus on July 13, 2013, 03:40:24 PM --- The gauge glass isn't actually neccesary. I've seen plenty of boilers without a gauge glass that has been factory made. When I am going to build the copper boiler I am going to make a drawing of it and then consult one of you if the design will work.
--- End quote ---
Boilers that do not have gauge glasses have extensive safety features in case someone makes a mistake and does not keep the water level up. On all boilers you will find two safety valves and often they will also have a fusible plug that should the water level drop the steam will extinguish the fire. Your boiler however is gas fired, this presents another set of problems again :(.
Never under estimate steam: water when it converts to steam increases its volume by 1600 times and the boiler has to withstand this pressure. When it fails, and sadly it will, if the metal flying off the boiler does not cause you or bystanders serious injury then the steam will.
If you want to run your engine please use a compressor. It is much safer.
Jo
Mosey:
WOW! Good safety advise from friends.
I am about to make my first boiler, which will be the Elmers' one with a cork for safety pop-off. I am soberly reading this post.
Thanks guys and gals for your concerns.
Mosey
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