The Steamboating Forum

I think this is my first post, so it might as well start as i mean to go on, with a question!

Having had the engine and boiler out over winter short I will be looking at getting it back in, which will include the replacement of a number of pipes and fittings.

Heritage steam (IBHS) has seamless steel fittings listed which i have used one or two of in the past but they are quite pricey at nearly £10 each for many of the fittings. Rated at 25 Bar at 230C.
Clearly for low pressure water pipes (much of the condensor plumbing, injector feeds, etc) then cast iron radiator fittings are ok and pence.
Is there anyone selling suitable fittings, rated for use with 200psi wet steam, at lower price? Im happy to put in an order for maybe 15-20 fittings.

Also, the same goes for pipe, which I also need some lenghts of. It has transpired that the stub pipes between the boiler and valves where seem-welded pipe and I expect the rest is too although ive not had chance to look. Is there a problem with this? Again, suitable suppliers?


Daniel

Hi Dhutch,

Google whatever your after, should be plenty of suppliers come up. Off the top of my head; Pipeline Center (a part pf the Wolsley group) and Aquafax Marine.

However, having a lot of dealings with IBHS, give them a ring stating exactly what you require and why and they should be able to get hold of what you want for you. The fittings you got are really specialist at PN25 rating, go for PN16 (200 psi is 13.8bar, giving a 2.2 bar (35psi) safety factor) and they will be far more reasonable, if thats not good enough even PN20 will be better prices.

(edit- reading back through post,I've deleted a recomendation that was very wrong regarding domestic brass fittings )

Re. pipe- again Pipeline Center will supply to your spec' and IBHS will get hold of it for you. Solid drawn is the ideal, but seam welded is fine as long as it's rated to the relevant pressure- at least 1.5 x working pressure. If you don't know what the spec' is contact the builder or renew it.

Again, googling the material, pipe size and pressure rating (PN40 will easily do) will reap wonders.

What type of boiler do you have?

Greg

Dear Dhutch ,

I am not an engineer but I have been told frequenty that the right standard to go for for the steam conditions you describe (200 psi saturated steam) is PN 32 .

A firm I have found very helpful is Aston Fittings and Flanges Manufacturing Ltd http://www.astonfittings.com/index.asp .
I found that although their prices seemed high they were cheaper than others that I tried .

Regards Edward .

Dhutch,
I have always recommended Wrought steel pipe fittings for this pressure, BS EN 10241 (old BS1740) NOT malleble iron fittings as used by farmer's etc. If you wish to use bronze/brass then PN32 would be essential for 200PSI steam. as the PN ratings are temperature dependent, don't skimp.
Seamless pipe is best, CFS (cold drawn seamless) but you could use ERW (welded) provided you use the heavier section stuff.
see www.hublebas.co.uk for pipe or www.johnsonvalves.co.uk for valves/fittings or www.tubesfittingsvalves.co.uk for everything.
you will find that industrial pipe/fittings suppliers are generally much cheaper than the boiler specialists/hobby suppliers.
regards
Jack

Hi Dhutch,

One more worth looking at after searching my lists;

http://www.hackettsconnect.com

Another option, not knowing what size pipe you are using of course, any pressure pipework companies near you (if you have processing plants, power stations, etc it's likely you will), to drawings they would probably have the facilities to bend pipe upto a minimum diameter of 2", if you find you are needing multiple fittings this could be a cheaper option.

Greg

Hi, thanks for all the comments.

The boat in question is steam narrowboat emilyanne, which was build in 1991 by my grandfather, Tom Mason.
The boiler is a vertical fire tube boiler and the pipes range from 3/8" upto i think 1.5inch for the engine, with the majority being 1/2inch bsp, all lagged so no need to be brass/bronze.

I was also told that PN32 is the correct rating, but that for the non return valves PN24 would be tolerated due to lack of availably of PN32 check valves.

I buy half my live over the internet, but for things like this have found its not always the most cost effective method, hence posting on here.



Daniel

At that size a pressure pipework company could definitely bend any pipework for a reasonable fee. If you wanted fittings instead they may be a source of suitable fittings and pipework too- they may sell it at trade price too...

A quick Google search of pressure pipework companies in your area bore one result;

Dove Thermal Engineering Ltd
Po Box 5
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8QX
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (01889) 563654
fax: +44 (01889) 569933
http://www.dovethermal.com

Description
Thermal, Environmental, Marine & Educational Engineering Solutions From Specialists In Process Plant Design Including Warehouse Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Chilled Storage, Supply of New & Used Equipment or Turn-Key Installations (Including Boiler, Steam Turbine, Chiller & Chp Plant), With Expert Witness, Forensic Investigation & Project Management Services

In my experience these independant companies are very helpful, especially when they find out it's for a steam boat.

Greg

Hi Daniel,

As you know I am at the stage of piping my boiler which is similar to yours, and you also know I am an engineer. Let me know what fittings you are looking for and I will get them ordered for you at my discounted rates, I'm sure you could do the same at your company, have you talked to your hydraulic fittings engineer. I have recently bought quite a lot of fittings so might have some surplus to requirements, all are of the specification demanded to pass a John Glaze boiler inspection ( He does Tornados inspections). Don't bother with seamed barrel nipples use solid turned carbon steel.
Regards

Keith

Keith, thats a great offer, ive meaning to ask how your boat is getting a long for a while as well so have dropped you an email as i appear to have lost your mobile number.

We obviously have a great number of hydraulic fittings, but typically as the bulk is done with hose the fittings are all male-male and cone faced rather than BSPT, excluding the fact there is no real route to obtaining them for personal use.


Daniel