Boiler question
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johnp
- Full Steam Ahead
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- Boat Name: Cardinal Queen
- Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Boiler question
The superheater was disconected, should I put it back on?
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fredrosse
- Full Steam Ahead
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Re: Boiler question
If the superheater was left in the hot furnace with no steam flow, then it may have been damaged. This is not as much of a problem with a stainless steel superheater, but ordinary steel may have been cooked, brass or copper also. Overheated superheater tubing can experience "exfoliation", where pieces of the piping fall off and are then passed thru the engine. Be sure to clean / blow out the superheater before restoring to service.
To re-connect the superheater will improve performance of the engine, and fuel economy will be better. The down side is engine lubrication, which may need to be increased with superheated steam. I would think about 450F maximum superheater outlet temperature for a simple slide valve engine. Higher temperatures may work OK, but then you will be entering the realm of extra maintenance and possible cooking of the lubricants.
To re-connect the superheater will improve performance of the engine, and fuel economy will be better. The down side is engine lubrication, which may need to be increased with superheated steam. I would think about 450F maximum superheater outlet temperature for a simple slide valve engine. Higher temperatures may work OK, but then you will be entering the realm of extra maintenance and possible cooking of the lubricants.