Metho flame burner

[Robert HornbyParticipant @roberthornby34554]

I am researching methods of heating sources for a steam boiler for a 'Windermere' launch that I am preparing to build. I am leaning towards a metho flame burner, but really need to correspond with some one who has done this (hopefully sucessfully) so as not to reinvent the wheel and/or make errors.

Can anyone out there assist me?

Robert Hornby

[Robert HornbyParticipant @roberthornby34554]

[Robert HornbyParticipant @roberthornby34554]

So it looks like there is no info on metho fired boilers so it looks like it will be LPG. So any ideas on a burner type and the control of the gas?

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Could you provide some detail as to size and type of boiler, expected BTU/kJ requirements, etc? We have no idea what kind and size of a thing you are asking about.

JD

[Robert HornbyParticipant @roberthornby34554]

Sorry Jeff,

I am building a twin cylinder engine to eventually fit to a model steam launch around 1 metre long. The engine will have a bore and stroke of 15mm. I have not commenced the boiler yet but I am thinking it will be in the order of 3" diameter by around 4" tall to suit the scale of the boat. I do not know how much heat it will require but anticipate around 20 to 40 PSI will be sufficient.

Robert

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Robert………..There was a previous thread on this topic entitled "methelated (sic)spirit blowlamp".

You may find some useful information there. I recall providing a couple of people with some plans for a vaporising spirir burner.

Mick

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you go for gas then take a look at the ceramic burners that Bruce Eng sell.

As for control take a look at the two models in this thread

[Fred Nightingale 1Participant @frednightingale1]

Hi Robert

My first attempt at modeling was a 44 inch steam launch called Miranda from plans by Basil Harley, the only thing I changed was the burner. The original was meant to run on Methylated spirits but I redesign this to run on gas which is much cleaner and easier to use.

I have attached a picture of the power plant.

Fred

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

Hi Robert

A few years ago I built a windernere launch powder by a Reeves V twin oscilating engine with speed control and forward and reverse the launch is about 3 feet long. The boiler is a horizontal centre flue fired with a petrol blow lamp very similar to the gas powered lamp in the picture above. The petrol blow lamps are no problem to build, run and provide a good source of cheap and ample heat to run a boat boiler.

My experience meths is fired boilers is wick lamps and single cylinder oscilating engine. for my children to play with when they were younger.

The straight runner I have is also fired with a petrol blow lamp for the flash boiler that will get up and plane just needs some one brave enough to ctach it the engine is Alan Raynams high speed marine steam engine and the boat is a copy of his Paprika.

Not much help really.

Olly

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Ever seen a Trangia stove?.Various home made versions Look at "soda" can stove..self pressurising..meths.clean.. 4 mins to boil 1l something like 30 minutes run time to a fill..

Just a thought

.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Meths (high proof alcohol) is unusual as it's one of the few fuels you can burn simply by putting a match to a pool of it.

The trangia burner is little more than a shoe-polish tin with an incurved lip. Mamod burners are just metal trays filled with mesh to reduce spillage.

You could just use a tray filled with wire wool connected to by a tube a fuel reservoir with a small bleed hole in the top. Disadvantage is it would be hard to arrange it so it uses all the fuel and the amount you can have will be in proportion to the depth of the burner tray.

Other downers are the problems of spillage – it gets everywhere and even a trace will burn long and hot (although nearly all the heat goes up) and the lack of control – you might need some sort of damper. All in all I'd look at another fuel source for a remote or automatically controlled boiler.

Neil

[Robert HornbyParticipant @roberthornby34554]

Thanks for the info Jason, but the link for the gas control looks like it may be the wrong one

Robert

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