Steam engine from the North Caucasus

A special section just for steam engines and boilers, as without these you may as well fit a sail.
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DetroiTug
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by DetroiTug » Fri Oct 02, 2020 3:13 pm

Quote: " I again turn to forum enthusiasts with the question: how best to attach such thick tubes to a steam drum? Do you need welding for this? Is it possible to expand tubing in a steam drum to withstand 220-250 psi? Does anyone have such experience? ''

Without welding, the tubes could be rolled expanded after annealing. Do a search for ''Lune valley''. An arc welder with 7018 rod electrode is going to make possible many different design choices. As I wrote above, without arc welding it is going to be very limited. Prior to welding joints, construction was by rivets which is a much more labor intensive method.

On my water tube boiler for my steam carriage, I made internal chamfers bevels and welded the tubes. After a bit of practice it is not difficult.

-Ron
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by DetroiTug » Fri Oct 02, 2020 3:20 pm

Lune valley with no welding. Although, I would arrange the tubes where they have a gradual rise throughout their length for better internal circulation, make them in a V shape. Also, make sure there are downcomers which could be piped in to the heads from top to bottom.

-Ron
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by fredrosse » Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:07 am

I was just preparing a drawing of this type of boiler when DetroitTug posted the picture of it. This is the most appropriate launch boiler if no welding is required, and many have been made in this form for several years. Tubes are rolled in, and this can withstand 20 atmospheres easily. Steel rolled tubes can usually withstand several times this pressure with industrial boiler practice. Piping attachments can be made with threads cut into the thick wall drums, easily OK for 20 atmospheres as long as the large drums have enough wall thickness for 5 threads engaged. Drum end plates are thick round flat plates, with a groove for gasket, and heavy bolts (stay bolts) are placed from end plate to end plate for withstanding pressure.

The outer casing/firebox is fabricated with thin sheet steel, and mineral wool insulation.

If you decide on this boiler type, we can assist with finding bolt sizes, strength requirements, etc. You will need to make a tube bending tool, not too difficult with your machining skills. I have made a tube rolling tool by machining a taper on a common square drive socket wrench extension, and 12mm roll pins to expand the tubes.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by DetroiTug » Sat Oct 03, 2020 5:41 am

Fred,

Thats a good drawing. There was a build log on this boiler somewhere on line.

I don't know if I seen it or dreamed it, but I seem to recall a picture of one of these with short vertical tubes rolled in between the upper and lower drums on the same spacing as the generating tubes acting as downcomers?

-Ron
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by fredrosse » Sun Oct 04, 2020 7:59 am

Yes, I had seen a build sequence with photographs on another (or this?) website where two of these boilers were being fabricated in England. My drawing neglected to show a row of short downcomers between the two large drums (my bad).

This configuration can be made virtually as long as desired, and for this application I would think the drums would be 3 to 4 feet long (920 to 1220mm). The tubes Freezerrr12 found would be suitable for making this type of boiler, and small enough for fabrication of a good hand operated bender.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by Freezerrr12 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:54 pm

Dear steam engine enthusiasts, I thank you for the advice you have given. I have come to the conclusion that the DetroiTug recommendations for making a Lune Valley with welding steam boiler are most acceptable to me and can be implemented according to my capabilities. Fredrosse's drawing of a steam boiler reinforced my intentions. My question is: is it possible to complicate the construction of a steam boiler like in my picture? Does this make sense? Here is my drawing.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by Freezerrr12 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:12 pm

I also want to attach some photos. At a young age, 43-44 years ago, I tried to make a steam boiler using 2mm steel. and rivets. There was such a blank. Diameter - 240 mm., Length - 380 mm. Perhaps I will someday use this blank for a small steam fire tube boiler. I am wondering how much pressure such a structure can withstand? While I have not yet started making the lune valley steam boiler, I am doing milling work. Perhaps the forum participants may be interested in some photos. Thank you again for your recommendations.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by DetroiTug » Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:45 pm

Very good work.
The boiler shell is too thin for a power boiler unless it was very low pressure. As diameter increases hoop stress increases.

I like your crosshead with large brass shoe. I have attached large brass and steel surfaces successfully with lead solder brazing.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by Freezerrr12 » Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:40 am

Dear DetroiTug, fredrosse and all steam engine enthusiasts, thank you for your recommendations. I continue to acquire materials for the boiler, but I am trying to finish building the machine first. For several days I was engaged in sawing a bronze blank. Here are some pictures.
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Re: Steam engine from the North Caucasus

Post by Freezerrr12 » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:23 pm

Greetings to all forum participants. DetroiTug showed me their work, which made a good impression on me. I honestly admit that I could not have soldered the shoe. Welding metals or soldering in different ways is not something I can do. I finished making the bronze crosshead rails. My good friend, once again helped me to attach these bronze parts to the columns. Here's what happened.
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