[Steam-engine] Fw: Rivited boilers

[Lawrence Swanz]

Dan,

My first question for you is, what business do you work at that carries an A.S.M.E. certification, if you don't mind me asking.  Secondly, if you are planning to go through all the hassle of building an A.S.M.E. boiler, why would you want to do it under an 'R' Stamp by incorporating the existing steam dome.  Because when you are all done, you will still have a non-code boiler at the end of the day.  I would suggest going for the gusto and build a new boiler with the new boiler rules incorporated, which allows for a stayed surface area of roughly 3.5 safety factor versus the 4.0 that we currently use in our formula.  I have spoken with our chief boiler inspector on this very topic in passing.  He hasn't really given his input on the topic yet, but with more and more owners looking at having new boilers built to the new code requirements, it is a subject that will and should be addressed.

-----Original Message-----
From: steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
[mailto:steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com]On Behalf Of
Dan Donaldson
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:18 AM
To: Steam-engine mailing list
Subject: [Steam-engine] Fw: Rivited boilers


    Someone on the list emailed me privately with a couple of questions.  I figured I would forward those questions and my response to the list.  Any input regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Donaldson

Questions:

One can basically build an new boiler around an old rivet and falls under Repair.  You may be able to save quite a bit by using your old dome (of course having the proper tests done to insure that its ok; I myself have never heard of a bad dome), and having a new boiler built underneath.
BTW , not wanting to be nosey, but what engine are you redoing, and what is it costing you?

Answer:

    I am working on a 1910, 26 hp Advance tandem compound with their patented straw burner boiler.  I have not estimated the cost yet but I am trying to keep cost down by doing a lot of the work myself like detail drawings, steel fit up and drilling of the stay bolt and rivet holes.  The company I work for is ASME certified for pressure vessel fabrication and repair ("U" and "R" stamps) so I will be able to get the steel at cost and cutting and forming the material at a low cost.  The only welded parts I plan to have are the longitudinal seam on the barrel and the firebox.  Those welds will be done by ASME certified welders and X-rayed.  I plan to have a certified "S" shop do the riveting and stay bolt installation.  No work will be done until drawings are done and the boiler shop I plan to use has a chance to look at them and total cost estimate made.
    I have also considered re-using the steam dome to allow for a repair shop to the work.  And I may go that route but I would like to keep the engine running until the boiler is completed and ready for mounting all of the castings.

Dan Donaldson
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