Boiler check-out

[paul]

Finally, the boiler is leak free and tested at 30psi for 15mins with 5 mins at 40+psi. Should do the job.

It's been made and soft soldered, de-soldered, had new bronze bushes made, re-soldered (silver solder) twice and is finally fit for powering my micro-engines. Hurrah!



Just need to clean up the excess solder

[spurley]

Hi Paul

Looks OK as it is. Assuming you are going to lag it then the boiler is best left as is I would suggest?

Did you do an hydraulic test at all? For club tests to issue a boiler certificate the inspector will hydraulic test new boilers to twice working pressure for the first test then subsequent tests at 1 1/2 working pressure. Then follows a steam test to include the 'accumulation test' which is when the boiler is steamed and then fired so the safety vales lift and the boiler pressure should not rise beyond 10% over the working pressure. So for a 40PSI boiler with big fire and blower hard on the safety valve should not allow the pressure to rise beyond 44PSI on the gauge. If you are only intending the boiler for your own use then there is no requirement for you to have a cert, it's good for peace of mind though!

Cheers

Brian

[paul]

Yup I filled it full and tested it way over what is required as it'll only run at around 15-20psi maximum. With the thickness of material, silver solder and bronze bushes I'm pretty confident it's more than adequate but yes, I'm only using it at home.

I need to clean it up as I don't intend to lag it, although the really messy top bit will be hidden under a nice steel cover

[Laurie_B]

Looks very good Paul.
As Brian correctly points out the initial pressure test is to 2x the design pressure with subsequent tests at 1.5x that figure.There is no point in exceeding those test pressures,as you could start doing more harm than good in seeing just how much "the old girl" will take!And tests must be hydraulic,with all the air excluded.Even a small pressure vessel like your boiler would contain a lot of stored energy if compressed air had been used.
And don't forget the polished brass bands on the cladding!

[ron]

Hi Paul
I think it would be worth while thinking about a bit of lagging even if it's simple wooden slats, the small gas fired vertical boiler I have struggled to run the ST Victoria, but after cladding the barrel in 3/32" thick hardwood slats [and the Victoria cylinder] I was surprised at how much more efficient it was.
Ron

[paul]

Hmmm, I was just thinking about it getting burnt! Not sure whether to use a spirit burner or even the solid fuel "mamod" type tablets. To be honest I'm not even sure what I'm doing about a support/firebox yet!