[Steam-engine] RE: Steam-engine Digest, Vol 10, Issue 4

[Richard Selway]

Hi Folks,

Re; Boiler test.

We've just had the annual boiler inspection completed on our Garrett Steam 
Tractor.

First test is a cold test: The inspector does a complete inspection of the 
boiler with all the mud hole doors out and the insides well cleaned. Also 
all firebars are out for a good look around the firebox & fusible plug. 
He'll also do a few spot ultrasonic checks on known areas prone to 
deterioration.

He than comes back another day to witness a 'steam' test. We have to 
demonstrate both boiler the feed pump and the injector work ok.

We then have to get both safety valves to lift fully for at least 4-5mins ( 
I think, not 100% on the actual time as I'm usually too busy trying to keep 
the water and fire ok!).

While this is going on he watches the pressure gauge to make sure it doesn't 
allow the boiler pressure to rise past max pressure. I think 10% is the max 
allowable, to accomodate gauge & safety valve inaccuracies, etc.

Personally, I think its a good idea as it proves the safety valves can 
handle any any excess pressure the boiler can produce.

I wouldn't be an expert by the way. These are just my experiences.

Do the boiler tests in the US follow this format? (Every 10 years we have a 
big fully stripped down inspection).

All the best,

Rich  : )
(in UK)


>From: steam-engine-request at lists.stationary-engine.com
>Reply-To: steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com
>To: steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com
>Subject: Steam-engine Digest, Vol 10, Issue 4
>Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 06:00:21 -0500
>
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>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Farquhar Ajax portable  (Rubens Maskinhistoriska Samlingar)
>    2. Annual Boiler Steam Test? (PWTraubert at aol.com)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2005 22:02:04 +0100
>From: "Rubens Maskinhistoriska Samlingar" <info at rubens.se>
>Subject: [Steam-engine] Farquhar Ajax portable
>To: <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>Message-ID: <MPEALFKNANABHNGCABNNMEFPCNAA.info at rubens.se>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
>Following to our recent message regarding our need of a full set of wheels
>and axles for our Farquhar Ajax engine I would be grateful to learn of a
>similar engine as well. As it might be difficult to obtain what we want we
>will considering to reproduce the parts. From a similar engine we might 
>have
>pictures and major measurements to fabricate look-alike pieces. Where are
>the collectors to contact?
>Please !
>
>Tore Blom
>
>Rubens Maskinhistoriska Samlingar
>533 91 Götene
>Sverige/Sweden
>tel/fax (+46) 0511-50535
>info at rubens.se
>www.rubens.se
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2005 23:49:53 EST
>From: PWTraubert at aol.com
>Subject: [Steam-engine] Annual Boiler Steam Test?
>To: steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com
>Message-ID: <b7.532171e2.2f5e88f1 at aol.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
>Has anyone ever heard of a requirement of performing a steam test of a 
>boiler
>in excess of working pressure?
>
>In England, where there are a large number of steam societies and numerous
>hobbyist built model boilers, there is a practice of performing a steam 
>test to
>prove the setting and capacity of safety valves. This is performed with a
>"good fire" and the blower "full on." A successful test is one where the 
>boiler
>pressure does not rise more than 10% above the working pressure.
>
>Texas has an exemption from inspection for boilers below a certain size. 
>The
>age and code of construction of the boiler does not constitute a part of 
>the
>exemption. In order to be covered in case of an injury the group I am
>associated with has adopted a set of standards to cover Texas exempt 
>boilers. A
>proposal has been made to add a steam test of 1.25 X working pressure. This 
>is in
>addition to the 1.5 X working pressure hydrostatic test.
>
>Is it just me or is a steam test really necessary? What would it prove? I 
>am
>totally against it. This is especially true for historic boilers like the
>definition that the National Board has put forth in their recommended 
>inspection
>practices.
>
>Thoughts? Ideas/
>
>Thanks,
>
>Patrick Traubert
>Plano, TX.
>
>
>------------------------------
>
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>End of Steam-engine Digest, Vol 10, Issue 4
>*******************************************