Draining the Lubricator

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD’s – a question for Sandy – the steam plant attachment is from a supplier via our WEB links and please correct me if am wrong but does the lubricator drain directly into the condenser after the isolation valve is cracked?  
   
If this is the case I could do the same thing and “T” into the engine exit steam line to my condenser [with an isolation valve prior] as the planned location of the lubricator has difficult access to drain the oily-water condensate from underneath [unless I can hire one of Tony’s 1/10 crew!] and the planned plastic tubing extraction via the lubricator filling cap is not dimensionally acceptable  
   
Another interesting point from the snap is that it appears that the boiler outlet steam takes its final route through the chimney hot flu gas path which is good design  
   
Just one another point I have posted two e-mails to John Hemmens [re his gas tank & gas regulator] from his WEB page but the postmaster says these e-mails are being delayed?? – will try again later -  Derek  
   

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[sandy_ACS]

Hi PDs

What is this I see?...Derek already talking to the competition???...just cos i've taken your money mate........only kidding.

Yes you are correct, the lubricator is draining into the condenser.
Yes you certainly could do the same, however, it would best be done as close to the condenser as possible or the condensate being expelled could end up in your engine exhaust manifold, and or valve gear. What is not clear from the picture, is how the condenser/oil trap is drained, although it appears to have a screw cap, so I suspect the Syringe method is to be used.

The steam out from the boiler does pass through the flue, in the form of a small looped steam drier , which can be beneficial in reducing hydraulic priming, especially with a cold engine. John refers to this as a superheater, however, since it is only a couple of very short turns of tube, located at the outer end of the flue (furthest away from the burner) then the amount of extra heat added to the steam is minimal. A true superheater would pass back through the flue, and through the burner flame and can add quite a large amount of extra heat, often as much as 100 deg or so, but this would be on a much bigger boiler, of totally different form.
On your vertical boiler Derek, the space between the uppermost cross water tube (in the flue) and the base of the funnel is only around 1 1/14" and although a small coils could be persuaded into this space, it would not really have very much influence. The other issue on the vertical boiler, is the close proximity of the steam stop valve to the funnel, which, whilst not ruling out this addition, certainly make the pipework a little tricky.
 On my horizontal boiler the space available is somewhat greater, at around 3" and it is possible, and I often do , fit a drier to these.

If you want to talk about these items, with regard to your recent order, then contact me direct and we can sort something out.

Some shares in the VEGIMITE company, 10,000 AUD, or a few cases of xxxx might help.....He He!.

Speek to you soon...Sandy

[Red_Hamish]

Hello all, Sandy, just love tyour tag line on the posts  :bow It takes a certain kind of individual to make it plain that nothing is too much trouble. I just wish I coud build up the enthusiasm for steam as you've obviously got. Keep up the good work  

cheers

Jim

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & thanks Sandy for the comment on the steam loop

My question :?:  about the blowing down the condenser was simply at a days end, with a little residual pressure [even 0.25 Bar] in the boiler, crack the drain line isolation valve & so purge the full contents of the lubricator to the condenser which is open to atmosphere [at the chimney discharge] so all should be ok & the condenser manually drained via extraction [the syringe plastic case & 1/8" nylon tube method] - {{no junkies or needles allowed with the crew of PS Decoy}}

Tony - this brings up another point, have you checked the CRED's of your 1/10 crew to ensure that you will not have a problem below decks?

I have started a spread sheet  :computer for extra fittings required which I am sure will increase in line numbers over the next weeks - Derek

[Khephre]

Derek, my pinnace has no "below decks" - she'll be an open boat so there's nowhere for them to hide!

BTW Sandy, I thought that it was only the Aussies who spelled beer 'xxxx'.

Interesting comments on draining the lubricator, and the observations on superheaters as well.

Great thread this'un - learning heaps.

Cheers
Tony

[steamboatmodel]

I thought the xxxx was referring to the proof of whiskey  :wink: , Do we have any Irish Paddleduck members  :?: maybe they could recruit some of the wee folk :lol:
Regards,
Gerald :lol:

[derekwarner_decoy]

So Gerald asks  "Do we have any Irish Paddleduck members" :?:

Hi PD's & my response to this is well "Yes & No" - [so that's Irish to start with :roll: ]

My humble self [myself that is ] is or [am/is] a proud & direct descendent of good Irish people - hounded & persecuted & found guilty of crimes in the Olde Bailey & exported to the far off shores of what we now know as our BEAUT land of OZ all those years ago

So if you note too many spelling errors or illogical thoughts in my postings I could only blame it on the Guinnnnnnnnnness   which is needed to wash down the chip & BUTTY sangers + lashings of Vegemite   - Derek

[Khephre]

ditto to Paddy Warner - my 4th great grandparents were George Scott b 1789 and Margaret Greer b 1795, both from Raphoe in Donegal, emigrated to NZ in 1842 - good settler stock, not convict I'm bound to add!


Amen to Guinness - with lashings of oysters!

[sandy_ACS]

Hi to you all,

This is getting to be fun!!!...I just love the banter, and had to reply to you all.

Jim: - Thanks for the sentiment on the tag line, glad you like it ; but would you expect anything else from an 'ABERDONIAN'?. My enthusiasm for steam started at a very early age...had to learn to boil the kettle to make my tea; it tastes to much like VEGIMITE if you use cold water!!!!

Tony: - I hope it is only open at the top or the little guys may get wet....or do you issue GREEN WELLIES?, and who is talking about BEER? BTW I'm pleased someone is getting some benefit from my ravings!!!

I think Gerald has me sussed though (it really means GLENMORANGIE) but thats far to difficult for PADDY WARNER, especially after his attempt at GUINNESS....He He!  He will be telling us next that his Great, Great, Great Great grandfather was really 'NED KELLY' and the family had to change names by deed poll....Maybe it no bad thing having that ditch between the convicts and the emigrants!!!!!?

Just kidding Derek...back to draining things: -

Since I have got to build your condenser and lubricator anyway, would it help your installation if I fitted a screw down drain cap to the oil trap, rather than the standard drain tube, it makes little difference to the build, I could also insert a second entry tube to take the line from the lubricator, (which will also now need a tube fitted into it's base for drain purposes) rather than trying to fit a tee joint, Should look more shipshape.
Let me Know....
The alternative, to the screw cap, is to first open the drain from the oil trap and attach the catch container (for the oily gunge), close of the funnel steam exit, open the drain tap (in the line from lubricator to condenser,make sure your engine regulator is fully closed, then finally open the boiler steam stop valve which should drain the whole system in one go.

Cheers to you all, and keep up the fun stuff.

Sandy.

[sandy_ACS]

Derek... and Pd's

I should of course have added to my last statement' Make sure the lubricator screw cap is fully screwed in place, before opening the boiler stop valve....It would certainly not drain if it were left off, and would almost certainly give you a nasty injury from the steam escaping, in an upward direction, via the lubricator jet tube..  The same must be said for re-filling the lubricator...Make sure the steam stop valve is fully closed, before attempting to unscrew the lubricator top cap.

My oversight, sorry...to much Glen xxxx.  

cheers

Sanadyyyy