knowledge is a bit of a “how to” section where we will add pages explaining how we have learnt to do something or a quick method or just something we have learnt
Knowledge
Maximum Boiler Insulation
What does maximum boiler insulation look like? When I say “look” I mean in terms of heat loss as this is then something to aim at in terms of design. How much insulation is required? [more…]
Electrically Heating the Boiler
Electrically heating the boiler will allow me to correlate the mathematical model of the boiler. This will also allow me to explore boiler insulation techniques. The instrumentation of the small vertical boiler has allowed me [more…]
Optimising the Firebox and Burner
This won’t be the last, but optimising the firebox and burner has moved the boiler to a place where it can deliver steam to a steam engine. This has involved a number of changes to [more…]
Flame to Boiler Distance
One thing that has concerned me is what is the optimal Flame to Boiler Distance? The original firebox and methylated spirit burner was generating approximately 54W. At the operating point of the boiler at 40psi [more…]
A Model of the Model Boiler
So, I’m building a Model of the Model Boiler. The model is a mathematical model and to be honest it is in the simplest terms. The boiler is the small vertical one made as a [more…]
Cooling Curve
When measuring any thermal properties of an object, one of the first things to measure is the cooling curve. This will help to establish a number of factors. This is also a good curve to [more…]
Boiler Instrumentation for Testing
In order that I can understand why the boiler is not quite working as expected I first need to setup boiler instrumentation for testing. The instrumentation is all around temperature measurements. For this setup I’m using: [more…]
Spirit Fired Boiler
My intention with the miniature traction engine is to use a spirit fired boiler. When I say spirits I mean methylated spirits. This is a clean and simple way to fire a boiler. The tank [more…]
Electrolysis of Water
A look at the electrolysis of water. This is the process for the electrochemical decomposition of water in a divided electrolytic cell by electrolysis. Electrolysis is the process of changing the chemical structure of a [more…]