The Steamboating Forum

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During the first stages of my steamboat project I was very concerned about the reported, frequent failures of the feed-water non-return valves. As a result, I purchased 4 high-quality, stainless clack-valves for the projected installation. The following picture shows the Hypro pump, the damper, the pre-heater and the feed line with the clack valve:



After several years of operation, the initial clack valve is still there... An inspection carried out some days ago showed no signs of wear. One of the reasons for this long endurance could be the fact that, during operation, this non-return valve does not clack...

Concerned about the high-amplitude feed-water pressure pulsation observed on some boats (at the beginning you are concerned about anything...), I decided to install a large damper at the discharge side of the Hypro twin piston pump. If the air pressure on top of the damper diaphragm is adjusted to the correct value, the resulting feed-water flow shows just a very slight pressure ripple. Hence, as soon as the pressure in the feed line reaches the boiler pressure, the clack valve opens to allow for the resulting flow... and remains open. No clacking whatsoever !! The valve safely closes as soon as the bypass valve to the hotwell is openened. On the other hand, a loud clacking can be perceived when using the manual feed pump.

What do you fellows think about it? An April Fools' Day hoax?

Albert

The damper devices definitely work. I haven't personally seen on with a diaphragm like yours, cheaper ones simply reply on trapped air for the cushioning.

Quiet is good and the reduced wear on the check valves would easily pay for the damper in the long run.

Hi Albert

I keep being hugely impressed by the plant in your pictures. Indeed, all the plant pictures on this site seem excellent...

However, to the point of this post! Who manufactures and/or supplies the damper that you have installed. I have a twin cylinder hypro soon to be intalled here in the UK and was just beginning to think about how to solve this issue.

I was also intrigued by the heat exchangers for the inboard condenser. Did you say that they too are "off the shelf" commercial products?

Best wishes

Pete

Hi Pete,

the damper is being offered by several marine suppliers in Germany. If I remember well it is an Italian product. The damper is often being used by Stuart Turner for their pumps. Thus, you might easily get a used one on eBay. Take a look here:


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stuart-Turner ... 27cf45c94f


Yes, the heat exchangers are off-the-shelf products. Lots of them being offered on eBay.

Albert

Hi Albert

Many thanks for the leads. I will see what I can find.

Regards

Pete