PDF Book on Triple and Quadruple Expansion engines

[wsmcycle]

I run in fresh water and can easily refill the tank from the river. I do run a condenser. I want to try the turbo idea without installing much plumbing. I thought i would extend the stack and feed the air up into the extension. The turbo may be really loud (not that the engine isn't) but womp, womp, womp is preferable to a scream.

[Lopez Mike]

I wish you luck running lake water non-condensing. Just because it looks clear doesn't mean that it isn't loaded with gunk. Try not to forget that these things are basically water purification plants with the contaminants remaining in the boiler.

[wsmcycle]

au contraire I always use the condenser. I add very little make-up water. But, I am not SOL if I run out of tank water because I can get water from the lake. I want to try this turbo idea. If it works, THEN I will plumb the discharge through the condenser. The idea sounds like a great way to make more lbs. of steam per hour. I have a perception of more heat going out the stack per hour though. THIS is my ignorance dilemma. It's a give and take. Make more heat and waste more heat. All for the sake of rapid combustion and therefore more boiler production. AHH steam power!!

[cyberbadger]

We expect the resultant to be a greater volume of air flow to direct up the stack than the simpler nozzle in the stack. I compare this to a turboprop plane engine in my thinking. Right? was merely expressing amazement.

You get a nozzle right you can get as crazy as you want. But yeah if you are condensing you would loose water.

Nyitra's boiler with it's manual steam draft blower with nozzel can be set to pull the wood out of the firebox 20ft into the air.



-CB

[wsmcycle]

cyberbadger
you must have a pretty large supply line to create that huge shower! what size is it? I am trying to achieve a constant operational device. I cannot afford that high steam loss. It would simply be a catch 22. I would lose what i gain. Plus, i would have to supply make-up water to the system.

I am wondering about the use of a "designed nozzle" instead of a simple open end 1/4" tube. I definitely get more combustion with the steam blowing up the stack and I can afford some water/pressure loss.

[Mike Rometer]

It only takes a very small steam hole to entrain the air within a tube/flue. Try just one, about No60, directed straight up inside the bottom of the flue, perhaps a couple of inches up. Put a valve on the pipe so you can feather it. You're not looking for a blower, just an air mover.

[Lopez Mike]

Mine is a 1/16" hole with no shaping. It's makes a satisfying rumble in the firebox and lots of sparks at night but the effect on the pressure isn't that dramatic.

I'm told that converting my simple drilled hole to a venturi should help. One more niggly project.

Damn this stupid spell checker! It doesn't know the word 'venturi' and is baulking at 'niggly'. Grump.

[Mike Rometer]

If you want a blower then form the pipe into a ring and drill maybe four smaller holes at a slight inward angle. Place the ring at the very base of the flue so that the emission from the holes forms a cone with the tip up insiide the flue. That gives you the effect of your venturi.

[DetroiTug]

Pulling from the lake with the engine exhaust up the stack, it's like a turbocharger, the faster it runs, the harder it draws. I have the exhaust split and can redirect it out the bottom, when doing so the contrast in performance is stark.

For running a steam driven turbine for draft induction on a condensing system, I guess use the engine exhaust to drive it before it gets to the condenser? Would have the same effect.

-Ron

[cyberbadger]

Pulling from the lake with the engine exhaust up the stack, it's like a turbocharger, the faster it runs, the harder it draws.

For the engine exhaust:
This is on my todo list, I've tried it on land and it seemed to do exactly as you describe. That was straight 3/4" pipe for the Toledo exhaust up the stack - no nozzel.

For the manual draft blower:
The one on Nyitra's has a rudimentary venturi - using a center drill .169”. I have a globe valve on it and I can dial it in to whatever I want to do - burn down the deck/dock with flying embers or get the fire going a bit better. That's why I have a tag on the valve - "Fireman's folly". To remind myself to use with care.



Thread with simulation and further discussion...
http://www.thesteamboatingforum.net/for ... 524#p13524

-CB