Steam temp

Whats the best way to measure steam temp. At the engine. I installed a superheater on my boiler and have a pyrometer on the exhaust of the boiler housing. But don't know what the steam temp is into the engine. The pressure on the boiler is from 200 to 245 psi. I know there are losses from the boiler to engine. Want to know if I have too much super heat ? If its too much I may have to reduce the length of the superheater. Can I use a thermocouple on the pipe where it enters the engine or just use an IR temp gun. And aim it at the same place. Will this be a correct reading of steam temp? I know if I look at the steam tables it will tell me the temp. But thats not at the engine.

X



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2020 05:37AM by IronChief.

I'd have a play with the IR thermometer - quick, cheap and easy. I use one on the exhaust pipes of a car to find out which cylinder is misfiring - easier than spitting on it.

Mike

X



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2020 05:36AM by IronChief.

The problem is that most people put the superheater in the combustion chamber. That’s not where it belongs. I agree on some boilers there’s not much choice, but it belongs in a zone that is much cooler. In most cases you only need 200 degrees above saturated temperature with a piston engine and in no cast more than 650F as most oils cannot handle heat above 700 D F.
When I built the Derr boilers the location was two rows of tubes above the combustion chamber.
Rolly

X



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2020 05:35AM by IronChief.

jjtjr-

The best way to find out what steam temp you have going into your engine is to place a thermocouple in the steam line right before the steam chest-which is what I do. Of course, I use only monotube steam generators, so steam temp is a necessary bit of data quite often.

Even if you just temporarily install a tee in your steam line while you're working out the correct superheater length to use-I think it's well worth it. Particularly if your engine is using a slide valve...

Regards-

Chuk

Rolly , i agree on the placement of the superheater but since the boiler was already made i had no choice on its location. My plan is to place a thermocouple on the steam pipe just above the steam chest and see what it is. Then i will post the result.

All files from this thread

File Name	File Size		Posted by	Date
Derr boiler.JPG	92.5 KB	open | download	Rolly	02/29/2020	Read message