BOILER PRIMING

[fredrosse]

One solution, a separator vessel, probably about 3 inch diameter x 2 ft high, bottom drain back to boiler waterside, steam tangential inlet from boiler at about 18 inch elevation, steam outlet at top, 24 inch elevation, and thermodynamic steam trap at 12 inch elevation, discharge to feedwater storage tank, or hotwell, or overboard. I will size this for you if you are going to use this solution.

I have a similar vessel on my steam plant, specifically to prevent priming water from damaging my engine.

[DetroiTug]

Yes, some sort of water/steam separation would be better than replacing the tube sheets and tubes - big job.

A deflector inside the boiler can work too. In the attached pic it shows the steam dome in relation to the exit of the generating coils, the pipe was extended down to deflect the water back down. Works really well.



-Ron

[DetroiTug]

I've been mulling this periodically for the last few days and trying to visualize what may possibly be happening. IF there is indeed restriction of internal circulation in the tubing bundle, not only is that causing water to rise to the top of the boiler, if the pressure deep in the bundle is exceeding the remainder of the boilers' pressure, it may mean that the center core near the bottom is boiling dry There would not be sufficient internal circulation. This could potentially pose a dangerous condition allowing the tubes near the center to overheat and collapse or burst.

I think if it were me, and I knew the restricted flow is causing the issue, I would burn the sheets out and replace them and the tubes with adequate spacing just to be on the safe side.

-Ron

[wsmcycle]

I boiled and cleaned the boiler with TSP as suggested followed with lots of clean water flushing. Then, I fired the boiler with my natural gas burner (I invert a can over the top of the stack. if the fire doesn't need draft to burn, close it to capture all of the heat) and at 60#, I pulled the whistle, a good long blow and this time I was not showered with water. I think it is fixed. I went back and re-examined my statement that the new tubes were larger than the old tubes. As it turns out, I was looking at the tube sheet drawing from which the sheets were plasma-ed. I made the holes in the sheet a sixteenth larger than the tubes so it could be assembled. Duh!!! The tubes are the same size. Thank goodness I was wrong. I confirmed by measuring the scraps. The TSP cleaning was the trick needed. I would not have gotten it fixed without the help from the Forum.
It is beautiful here in Arkansas today and I will take her out for a test this afternoon. I'll report tonight.

Thanks

[DetroiTug]

Ok I'll let my wild imagination rest

Good luck with it.

-Ron

[Mike Rometer]

I have seen a change of water supply do exactly the same thing until all settles down after a bit.

[wsmcycle]

I am loaded up and off to the river.
Thanks fellas

[wsmcycle]

Whooo hooo. L'll steamy ran great!! The boiler worked as it should (no wet steam). If I had good fire, I was rolling along.
I finally got a chance to burn the new bags of anthracite coal and I would have to say, "it did not burn well". When I burned charcoal, I could make 110# of steam but I could not get the anthracite to produce 60#. I think the problem may be the size of the chunks. They pack on the grate too closely because of their smaller size. This restricts the flow-through of combustion air. The truth is that I can burn gasoline but "banking" a fire of coal is not in my realm of ability. If I can make a good fire, L'ill steamy runs great and is lots of fun.

[Mike Rometer]

You could be right about the size of the coal. Burning wood, charcoal, coal or other fuels is a whole science on its own. Each seems to have its own foibles. Grate design plays a big part.

[wsmcycle]

I made a grate with smaller holes to keep the coal from falling through. Its a catch 22. the smaller holes and smaller coal chunks restrict the combustion air flow. I bought 400#s of this coal but I think I need a larger grade. We do not burn coal here in the south so there are no local vendors. I will have to learn the grading method and buy larger chunks. Maybe I should sift the coal through a make a sieve and sort the small stuff out. Sounds like a dirty mess that I should weigh against just buying a pallet load of proper size from up-north of the Mason Dixon line
The boiler and boat ran so good on charcoal. It was very encouraging that the boiler is renewed. Thanks to all for the helpful comments.