Boiler

2008 - 2009.


John R. Bentley 2009.

Model Watertube Boiler

-  Tubing the Pressure Vessel  -

 
First row of tubes in the convection bank
 
 
 
 
Second row - still dirty from brazing
 
 
 
 
Slightly curved tubes for the third row
 
 
 
 
Putting them in, prior to brazing
 
 
Pretty flux job, huh?
 
 
Fitting the final (fourth) row in the convection section
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth row - ready for brazing
 
 
 
 
 
Done!  4 rows brazed - convection section completed
 
 
 
 
So far I am pleased with the joints
 
 
 
 
Checking out one of the deep-curved tubes for the furnace section
 
 
 
 
 
Fitting the first of the D-tubes
 
 
 
 
 
View showing a single tube from the outer row filling one of the gaps
 
 
 
 
 
The D-shaped furnace section is starting to take its shape
 
 
 
 
The question here is how to keep them all flush during brazing...
 
 
 
 
 
An idea is hatched:   I will use two angle pieces made from soft copper to squeeze the C-shaped tubes into one plane.
 
 
These copper angle pieces were formed in the vise
 
 
 
 
To align the straight sections of this group of tubes for brazing
they were "sandwiched" between the two clamped angle pieces
 
 
 
 
 
End view
 
 
 
 
After the brazing the clamps are removed while this steam generator is still almost red hot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Temporarily putting short scraps of tubing into the gaps between tubes to act as spacers
 
 
 
 
The final row of U-shaped tubes make up the outer wall of the furnace (not yet brazed-in)
- together the two rows create a solid vertical "waterwall"
 
 
 
Checking to see that they are reasonably flush
 
 
 
 
 
 
Citric acid pickling after brazing-in the final row of tubes
 
 
 
 
The top row of brazed joints
 
 
 
 
 
Viewing the fire
 
There is a viewing porthole in the back wall of the boiler enclosure...
This bifurcated tube surrounds that port, absorbing excessive heat near the glass.
 
 
 
 
Here's a view of the window cooling loop brazed in position
 
 
 
 
Looking from the firehole end
(note the view port will be located below centre - otherwise only the end of the burner would be visible)
 
 
 
 
 
Drum internals
 
End view of the top drum baffle assembly
 
 
 
 
It is made from copper pipe and
Baffle unit's position in the upper drum
silver brazed with a higher-temperature alloy
(to prevent a meltdown when the heads are brazed in)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looking upward showing top right deflector location relative to the top tube ends
 
 
 
 
 
Making the steam outlet for the collector pipe unit
 
 
 
 
Some of the fifty-four steam entry holes positioned across the top of the collector pipe
 
 
 
 
The collector pipe assembly
(the holes being along the top of the pipe are not visible here)
 
 
The collector pipe will be screwed into the phosphor bronze ferrule and silver brazed in position at the top of the boiler steam drum. The ferrule (bush) will comprise the main steam outlet of the boiler.
 
 
Collector pipe mounted in position between the upper deflector baffles
 
 
Steam entry hole locations along the top of the collector pipe are skipped directly under the safety valve openings. When the valves open this should prevent any holes from being located in extreme low pressure areas and hence limit the possibility of water being carried over into the outbound steam.
 
 
Bronze ferrules (bushes)
 
Sawing up some more phosphor bronze to make threaded bushes for the smaller fittings
 
 
 
 
 
 
Making the smaller piece round
 
 
 
 
 
Phosphor bronze threaded bush for the main steam outlet
 
 
It is extra tall so that it will be flush with the roof of the boiler casing (to allow for the thickness of the insulation)
 
However I will not extend the tops of the two threaded bushes for the safety valves. With only the upper portion of each safety valve visible above the casing they can be made to appear closer to scale. Due to their extra length below the casing roof they can be more easily designed to function properly.
 
 
 
A fistful of copper
 
 
 
I'll be glad when the drum heads are attached and the vessel has been pressure tested.  I went out for more citric acid, silver brazing alloy, propane and steel wool  today -  so I should be ready!
 
 
The phosphor bronze ferrules, brazed into the top drum
 
 
(blanking plugs screwed in)


That's all the tubes brazed in place...the drum heads are next.