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Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 7:26 am
by Old Steamer
Does anyone have any experience of converting a Blackstaff 3-drum, WT, boiler from liquid fuel to coal firing? I have my reservations as loss of water in a copper boiler that has immediate fuel cut-off appears less problematic than loss of water in a copper boiler where the fire has to be drawn. However, I believe it has been done.
Any pointers and/or plans would be very welcome.
Thank you.
OS

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 6:42 pm
by TahoeSteam
Other than what you previous mentioned I don't see any issues with burning solid fuel in a Blackstaffe boiler. I'm sure there are plenty out there that have done it. I think one of the factors in most using liquid fuel is the grate area being more restricted than say a Robert's style boilet due to the coiled tube arrangement, making solid fuel firing a little more challenging.

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 6:56 pm
by Old Steamer
Wesley,
Thanks for comments. Since penning the above, I have done more research and found that coal-fired Blackstaffes are more common than I thought. All I need now are the plans and if the SBA plans service wakes up, I may have those - I hope. If not I still hope for a response from here. They must be out there somewhere.
OS

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 6:12 am
by fredrosse
Having some trouble understanding your post. On loss of adequate water level, fire should be pulled or otherwise stopped from producing heat, independent of firing method.

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 7:03 am
by RGSP
fredrosse wrote:Having some trouble understanding your post. On loss of adequate water level, fire should be pulled or otherwise stopped from producing heat, independent of firing method.
I think he means it takes longer to damp down a coal fire than turn the fuel off to an oil burner. OK, it does, but the extra time shouldn't be a problem: the key thing is to notice promptly that the water level is too low in the first place.

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 7:08 am
by Old Steamer
Correct - Shutting off liquid fuel is a matter of closing one valve; drawing a coal fire takes comparatively far longer. Perhaps not so critical with a steel boiler but more so with an all-copper boiler.

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 3:25 pm
by DetroiTug
One thing to keep in mind with a solid fuel firebox, when the fuel door is opened, that in itself is pulling cold air in over the top of the fire which is going to drop the temperature of the flue gas.

-Ron

Re: Blackstaff Boiler - Fuel conversion

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 3:33 pm
by Old Steamer
To revert to the original question, does anyone have/know where I can acquire plans?