Susan
If you want a lot of ideas in a small space, try contacting The Locomotive
Works at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and purchasing their book of drawings and
instructions for their 1/4" locomotives. The price is 12 USD.
The book, which I got from them about 10 years ago, consists of reprints of
a series of construction articles by Martin Lewis. The series was
copyrighted in 1941 and appeared, I believe, in a publication called The
Model Craftsman. Martin Lewis was the designer of the locomotives which are
now available in kit form from The Locomotive Works.
In the book, Lewis states that the locos are designed for alcohol, kerosene,
Diesel oil, gasoline, or propane. He illustrates a wick burner for alcohol
which I suppose would also work with kerosene. However, and this might be of
more interest to you, he also illustrates two generating burners.
One is a simple, elegant design which does not require a pressure tank. He
says a head of only 2" provides enough pressure to operate the burner, which
is designed for alcohol, kerosene, or Diesel.
The other generating burner (which does require a pressure tank holding six
to ten lbs. pressure) was designed primarily for gasoline, but he indicates
that it can also burn alcohol. It should burn kerosene also, but that would
require a more elaborate lighting procedure. This burner, sans generating
tube, also handles propane well.
The book has dimensioned drawings and instructions for all the burners but
not for the pressure tank.
Victor Lacy
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Parker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 5:48 AM
Subject: RE: Kerosene fueling [was: Electric Steam / Cold Steam]
>Hi Trent, Phil et Al,
>
>I have been considering the whole "heating water to make steam" business
>for a while, and have two versions currently in mind. I would add that all
>this is very much "thoughts in progress, and may be changed at any time"
>(sounds very much like woman's prerogative doesn't it (*grin*)!).
>
>Firstly I am considering a burner based on the camping style pressurized
>stove for liquid fuel - which could be kerosene, white spirit or even
>alcohol for that matter.
>
>Secondly I am considering alternative boiling methods including a semi
>flash steam marine style unit, or even a full flash steam if I can get it
>right. Okay, deviating from prototype practice, but then we don't put
>several hundred tubes into our boilers either - some things don't scale
>neatly. Ultimately I am looking at options to be able to have a pipe rather
>than a pressure vessel based steam generator to make as much of the steam
>"on demand" as possible.
>
>To my mind liquid fuel has a number of advantages over gas including the
>fact that it is a liquid at normal temperatures (*duh*) and does not need
>to be stored or held in a pressurized container. Well, other than any
>pressure that might be required to feed the liquid, which could be quickly
>removed. And the UK G1 Soc. doesn't permit Propane mixes for safety
>reasons, so is has to be straight Butane for gas.
>
>As to the burner itself there is the conventional camping stove
>(blowtorch?) type technology, or as an alternative I am looking at the
>possibility to use steam to inject the fuel (and atomize it at the same
>time) into the combustion chamber (as per prototype practice). Some form of
>mechanical pumping would obviously be needed initially to get the first
>steam raised.
>
>I would note at this point that I am an electronics hardware designer
>rather than a mechanical engineer by profession. I have lots of ideas, no
>doubt many of which are impractical for one reason or another, and much of
>what I am considering is because "I don't know any better" i.e. nobody has
>told me it can't be done, tain't natural, etc., etc.
>
>I am also experimenting (being a practical hands on type) and I do
>understand that what may work at 1/16th or bigger scale may well not be
>practical at 1/32nd. So I am very much open to comments and advise from
>those who actually have real experience with live steamers - as I have yet
>to raise (locomotive) steam of any kind (*sigh*). To be honest still
>struggling to get my lathe sorted out (*more sighs*).
>
>So any examples of "current practice" i.e. anything that actually worked in
>the last 100 years (isn't steam technology wonderful - not like electronics
>which changes so fast that even a few months can outdate things) is of
>interest. I have the Virginia and Caribou original articles from the Model
>Engineer, but otherwise there is a dearth of American outline designs
>available here in the UK. My primary reference source is my 1916 Locomotive
>Dictionary, an awesome book full of fascinating detail (of course its all
>12" scale stuff).
>
>And to those who wonder why she doesn't just buy herself an Aster kit
>(Allengheny!) or such like I guess I am enjoying the challenge of
>doing/learning something new and as a hobby rather than electronics (i.e.
>my profession in some form) based. Of course me being me I have gone from
>idle interest to full head on design, and now my idle thoughts are whether
>I could ever take my design and build it full size! (Assuming the mythical
>lotto win of course.) Totally "la-la land", but something to ponder when
>making pastry, preparing vegetables, or doing the dishes.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Best wishes,
>Susan.
>
>
>
>
