Flash Steam

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

A very simple question from me for once, but still daft no doubt.

Do you need a boiler certificate for Flash Steam / monotube boilers?

Does this mean getting insurance for using anything powered by a flash steam boiler would be problematic?

I'm still thinking of unusual methods of powering a Steam Wagon (not a faithful replica of an existing model obviously!) and as the Doble steam cars used flash steam (powering a 2 cylinder double acting uniflow engine if wikipedia is to be believed) I think it could have some potential.

Thanks,

Jon.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Hi Jon

Your local club inspecter will not certify flash steam boilers so you would need to have it tested and insured via a specialist company.

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

What is the volume and design pressure? May fall within the same 2 bar.litre exemption that applies to aerosols ets, and therefore not be considered dangerous under the regs. Must say my knowledge of the regs is based on the 2002 regs, and in the six months I was designing the box they applied to, 4 of the seventy applicable regs changed. It is entirely possible that none of the regs applicable then, apply now. So more up to date advice would be better than mine.

Regards

Richard.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Where is Windy when you need him?

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

As I understand it the actual water capacity is restricted to what is within the coils at the time, which is likely to be a cupful!

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Jon Lawes,

You are quite correct in your description of Doble steamers. Another steamer called White, was I believe, a flash steamer. Both did cars and I think Doble did buses as well. The better known Stanley steam cars were not flash type. They had a large diam. barrel bound with steel wire and umpteen firetubes. When the steel wire rusted and lost some strength, the barrel would likely be vulnerable to such a high pressure. Fairly recently in USA some experimentation has gone on but finally abandoned, I think the big problem is the amount of fuel used to boil the water to travel a given distance, can be burned more efficiently in an ic engine, resulting in a greater distance travelled.

Are you a club member? Can you ask the boiler testers, maybe obtain or borrow a copy of the SouthernFed testing regs or Northern Assoc

John

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

I've finally plucked up enough courage to visit a club this wednesday, I'm looking forward to chatting face to face with like minded souls.

I'm currently just juggling ideas; I like the idea of building a steam wagon but want to make something that looks like it could have been made in-period despite being to my design. I've a lot of ideas rattling around but nothing concrete forming yet!

Thanks,

Jon.

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Yes Jon, the pump(s) push water in to very hot small bore tubing and it flash boils to steam, so if the tube bursts, a small jet of steam escapes. Non flash steam boilers hold a large reservoir of very hot water where the boiling point is way above the 100 degree which only applies at atmospheric air pressure. If a barrel is ruptured, the sudden release of pressure down to the surrounding atmospheric will result in all of the hot water instantaneously boiling to steam at many times the original volume. Lots of big bangs, deaths and injuries years ago but proper specs and testing has made the bombs safe. I wouldn't think that relatively safe flash steam boilers would give rise to much concern but you do still need to make sure about specs and insurance. Perhaps you could enquire about the recent replica steam cars that have appeared and find out how they get on with testing and insurance. HTH

John

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

Very helpful indeed, thanks

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by JasonB on 03/06/2018 20:57:15:

Where is Windy when you need him?

Have been involved with another project as far as model flash steam tethered hydroplanes a boiler certificate not required.

It's a steam generator I have had email convesations with various full size flash steam car enthusiasts in the past and it can be a grey area.

As one flash steam car man said there is very little to test apart from pressure but if a pressure fitting was to become detached could cause injury so he recommended having third party insurance that might open a can of worms.

Have decided more because of health and traveling distances to call it a day with the model hydro this year if conditions change might have a last run at Kingsbury later in the year.

After that will sell all the model hydroplane bits there's the boat, video's, spare parts, generators and all the writings of the good and bad modificatios.

I know it has done well over 130mph if it can be kept on the water.

Am now more involved with full scale motorcycle speed attempts something I have a lifelong interest in and with my spiritual speed record venue on my doorstep that takes my time.

Next top speed event at Elvington Tuesday 19th June

Edited By Windy on 04/06/2018 00:14:16

Edited By Windy on 04/06/2018 00:18:51

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Thanks for the confirmation Windy.

Still not sure if Jon would want to risk sitting behind a flash steam setup like yours

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Section 2.5 book 2 of the new UK code (under 3 bar litres) states that flash steam boilers may not be tested under this code.

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

So, the code says what it can't be treated as, but does it say what it can be treated as? I'd imagine the answer is no…

Regards,

Richard.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by fizzy on 04/06/2018 08:44:47:

Section 2.5 book 2 of the new UK code (under 3 bar litres) states that flash steam boilers may not be tested under this code.

Understandable as there are no litres to multipy by so you would get a zero value for Bar lts. Also as the outlet is open is it really a pressure vessel? From Windy's responce it seems they do not need certifying.

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

I'm sure you would still need some sort of safety valve so maybe that needs to be certified in some way?

It's a very grey area, until I asked here I was getting very conflicting opinions.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by Jon Lawes on 04/06/2018 12:11:43:

I'm sure you would still need some sort of safety valve so maybe that needs to be certified in some way?

It's a very grey area, until I asked here I was getting very conflicting opinions.

With my new full scale project I know there will be some hassle for its generator it can depend on your insurance company have found you must stress it's a generator.

There are plenty of certified safety valves about but I found any pressure release at speed causes overheating of the tube.

If the various mechanical control systems like Dobles or modern electronics can be used that might be an answer.

If you can get Doble Steam Cars, Buses, Lorries and Railcars by J.N.Walton it's worth reading but can be a bit pricey. .

The photo taken of a steam bike this year is a mixture of old mechanical technology and modern electronic control systems.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by JasonB on 04/06/2018 07:59:09:

Thanks for the confirmation Windy.

Still not sure if Jon would want to risk sitting behind a flash steam setup like yours

Sit in front of it but might need asbestos underpants.

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

I was quite impressed at one of the steam car flash boilers, I think it was doble, who had a system of quartz rods that pushed the control valves for the fuel supply shut as the temperature rose, providing closed loop feedback control for the heat supply.

I'll probably still end up going the route of a conventional boiler but the draw of exploring "the Sentinel that might have been" is pretty strong!

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

My Midland friend has built a flash steam generator based on a Doble design to use the thickness of tube the Doble has you need some powerful bending machines to create the rows of Catherine wheels.

 

Edited By Windy on 04/06/2018 17:23:31

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by JasonB on 04/06/2018 07:59:09:

Thanks for the confirmation Windy.

Still not sure if Jon would want to risk sitting behind a flash steam setup like yours

Can anyone spot the difference between that photo and the one on the cover of MEW 231?

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

In an older (80s, 90s?) ME or MEW there was someone who proposed a 'revolutionary' steam generator for models that used stainless pipe.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 04/06/2018 19:30:12:

Posted by JasonB on 04/06/2018 07:59:09:

Thanks for the confirmation Windy.

Still not sure if Jon would want to risk sitting behind a flash steam setup like yours

Can anyone spot the difference between that photo and the one on the cover of MEW 231?

Neil

The one on the cover was taken slightly later after the washing line had burnt down.

Poor photo editing as the top of the pole was not removed

 

Edited By JasonB on 04/06/2018 19:38:45

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

I am only testing the waters to see if any one might be interested.

Due to certain health issues I have decided to sell my Flash Steam Tethered Hydroplane.

As far as I know it’s the Worlds Fastest at the present time.

It would be sold with any spare parts including generator coils, history, engine set up details.

Have an enthusiast who is interested and he would be given first choice if he can better any offers to buy.

Please note this is not a show machine purely functional with battle scars after 130mph plus take offs.

Have the video’s showing that and many other fast runs.

Keep this in mind it’s experimental if run after every meeting you have to strip and rebuild it also things might need repairing or making.

Flash steam hydroplanes are not for the faint hearted to compete with one means you need a machine workshop not just a few spanners and the will to continue developing it a full time job.

Might be used just as an exhibit in that cases no work required.

Being a Yorkshire man I do not have time for tyre kickers only genuine interested people will be shown it time waiters will get the boot.

 

 

Edited By Windy on 13/08/2019 11:02:17

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

A sad time in a Model Engineers life when he has to say goodbye to his hobby.

After successful medical treatment it has left a side effect and I no longer feel safe in the lake due to leg problems.

Have passed the word about packing in with the Record holding tethered hydroplane and have a few interested parties.

As a unique model despite not being pretty but purely functional with battle scars to prove it I expect a fair price for it all.

£2000. is the minimum I will take for the model, spares and documented setting up of engine over many years.

If not will let my young Sister dispose of it in a specialist auction site when I’ve gone.

There are years of accumulated parts engine spares, special tools simple jigs three generators and parts that I can’t remember what they were for.

Despite feeling dodgy on my pins at times I find riding a motorcycle at Elvington after many years no worry and have been offered a ride on a 150mph machine.

This is to prepare me God willing for my full size flash steamer there is a great deal more work to do yet as time is moving at a fast pace.

Edited By Windy on 01/09/2019 04:42:40

Edited By Windy on 01/09/2019 05:09:59

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