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Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 3 days ago

A couple of things in effort to be helpful. When I post this, it helps me re-think and re-evaluate concepts. I imagine that poppet valves will simulate a D slide valve through a cam. Attached is a D slide valve simulation of my 10 HP Steam Engine. You can correlate the timing. Also, I include a piston valve concept, just for reference.

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 4 days ago

I recommend a Bore/Stroke ratio of ~.7. A quick story to relate to some advise to you. There was this nice gentleman who built a Doble Triple expansion compound. I have the highest regard for him and his family. He passed away before successful completion/demonstration of the engine. My opinion, he tried to take on too much at once. Better to start small and economical to prove out concept

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 6 days ago

Hi William, To achieve credibility, you need to build and demonstrate your concept(s). Talk is cheap. I'm not going to debate concepts. My engine on my steam bike is custom made, direct drive on the rear wheel and is a 1-1/2" X 6" bore and stroke respectfully. Double acting My 10 HP Stanley is ~1904 original Stanley Engine. It is a 3' X 4" bore and stroke. It is a direct d

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 8 days ago

William, I attached your latest concept for reference.In there you state a double action, semi-uniflow compound engine. The engine is planned to be a direct compound. So let us work with this engine concept. Your Volcan Piston idea will not work...bad idea. Stop trying to use internal combustion components for a steam engine. The ratio between bore and stroke is wrong. Use a proven steam en

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 9 days ago

For a compound, I would start with 50% cut-off in both HP and LP. After some speed and higher RPM is achieved, then one can reduce the cut-off. Also, start the engine using a Simpling Valve (White Steam Engine). This provides steam initially to both HP and LP at the same time. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, use an existing uniflow design and scale it up or down to the size you want. I u

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Hello - From a newbe to the Steam Auto Arena. - 9 days ago

Let the story begin ... I read the blog you linked in your first post. Really, you're going to have a lot of fun!

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 18 days ago

William, nice artwork to identify concepts. This is an excellent design verification method. I think your question is will this work? This design is a lot like the Skinner compound uniflow. Yes, this engine will work provided that the exhaust from high pressure (HP) piston goes directly to the low pressure (LP) piston. This is not clear in your concept attached. It may be implied. It appe

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 19 days ago

I suggest reviewing this video...all his videos Steamzilla (uniflow engine) This was made by the late Roger Ulsky whom I hold in high regard.

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 19 days ago

I'm seeing some confusing information presented here regarding what I would call engine efficiency and thermodynamic efficiency or Carnot efficiency. Engine efficiency is the effective use of the steam to the engine. n = efficiency, S = Steam: n = (S in - S out)/S in Carnot efficiency is the effective use of the temperature, total system. T = Temperature: n = (T in - T out)/T in For go

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 23 days ago

Doble did work on a uniflow. He abandoned it and settled on a compound in his latest designs. The compound provides for a better efficiency. Now the Skinner is a uniflow and compound. This might be a better direction than just a uniflow to get to the efficiency goal.

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Hello - From a newbe to the Steam Auto Arena. - 23 days ago

Hi Jim, From another perspective, it is a big part of the experience to control your water level. I intend to start out with the basic manual by-pass valve control using the sight glass as the measuring device. In essence, I'll be the computer. Picture attached of such an experience. However, I'm working with a Stanley owner of a large condensing model. He is seeking out a water level ind

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Uniflow steamengine at 20% efficiency in a car project - 4 weeks ago

Hi William, Welcome to the forum. I like your first post with pictures and all...nice job! A gentleman named Jay Carter did some good work with a uni-flow steam engine. His was called a bash valve. It is a working concept and proven. Good luck with your build. Tom Kimmel "Jay Carter" Kind regards, Rick Heinig

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Hello - From a newbe to the Steam Auto Arena. - 4 weeks ago

Hi Jim, Nice to have you on board. Please do post your progress. Your build will be very exciting to follow. Note that I'm building a replica Stanley H non-condensing automobile. I live in NY near Elmira-Corning airport and 20 minutes drive to Watkins Glen race track. Also, I'm a mechanical engineer. I'm on the mend from a torn rotatory-cuff injury but hope to be back building soon. I att

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: start up times - 4 weeks ago

Hi Richard (SteamPunk_Hybrid1925) Welcome to the forum. Please don't hesitate to offer ideas and concepts about steam. There just might be a new concept worth pursuing. As a director of the club and a BSME, I just wanted to provide some input to this conversation along with some encouragement. Attached is a concept for a locomotive that I think relates to your idea. Is this on the right tra

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 7 weeks ago

Hi Rolly, You peaked my interest, The non condensing Stanley used the engine exhaust into the exhaust duck, but a hole and flap was cut into the other end to adjust just how much the exhaust actually pulled on the burner. My EX the hole is mostly opened. Please explain this configuration? Thanks, Rick

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 8 weeks ago

Sorry Rolly, I should clarify: Exhaust gas is from fuel combustion. Better to improve the flow of the hot, burnt gas through the boiler quicker than... Steam exhaust from the engine to the condenser (condensing Stanley) Than improve the condenser performance with a roots blower driving a radiator fan. My suggestion is to use the roots blower (Dave Nergaard's sys) to drive a compressor

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 8 weeks ago

Rolly, I'm familiar with Nergaard's blower modification. My thought is to drive a fan to draw exhaust gas, not a condenser fan. Thank you for the reference. Not that condensing is not important, just better to improve boiler heat transfer...go faster! Picture with Dave and me at Canandaigua, NY a few years back. Thanks, Rick

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Chicagoland Mini Meet - 8 weeks ago

I plan on going and hope to see a great crowd. I'm recovering from a torn rotatorcuff injury, left shoulder. I'll bring my computer and will have some history available. I won't be bringing any items, just my spirit and encouragement. Sincerely, Rick Heinig

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 2 months ago

Another question is does the radiator on a condensing car pull enough vacuum to overcome the lack of the exhaust draw feature. Sorry, this was a brain fart. On a condensing steam car, the radiator or condenser pulls the steam exhaust from the engine (in theory at least). The concept I was exploring if it could pull the burner exhaust. Probably not gonna work. I was thinking too far ahead

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 2 months ago

Joe, Mike & Rolly, After hearing your responses, I wonder if the slotted area in the cast burner plate exceeds the area of the fire tubes in the boiler. I know a lot of car and other vehicle owners have fired their burners in atmosphere (not under the boiler, fire tubes). The flames will scream. When back under, in position, the flames are lazy. It gets less lazy after the boiler heats up. I

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Effect of volume displacing cable in fuel vaporizer on fuel temperature - 2 months ago

Hi Joe, Interesting question and one I have thought about significantly with regard to boiler design. I have a technical presentation that I was prepared to give at the last SACA Meet and didn't have a chance. Some of the slides relate to your very question(s). The slides pertain to generating steam from water. However, the heat transfer concept also applies to petrol fuel. First slide poin

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: A few thoughts on existing and potential energy sources. - 2 months ago

Hydrogen seams to be a future alternative to many other fuels. Many companies have secured hydrogen fuel cells to power electric cars, i.e. Toyota. This principle is based on generating hydrogen using green technology and perhaps directly with the sun. Then store it and transport it to the point of use. Doesn't add up to be a viable process or at least a cost effective one compared to other av

by Rick.H - Miscellaneous Technical

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 3 months ago

Thanks Rolly, One more thought... Under Power Boilers is PP (pressure piping) stamp approval. My ponder is if this applies to a forced circulation steam generator in the size that would be used for a steam car. In the case of Zimirken, he uses a pipe as his separator drum. I would say this can fall under piping, just a bigger diameter, still a pipe. On another note, John Baldwich has loane

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 3 months ago

Rolly, I often wondered and perhaps you can clarify that the boilers we make and use on steam cars would be classified as a M boiler (miniture boiler)? ASME Boiler Code Website Kind regards, Rick

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 3 months ago

Ken, As I recall from one of the SACA talks that the SES boiler used a centrifugal blower to force the hot gas through the flow path. Also, the running of the water through the front row coils after what I might call an economizer coil was to meet NOx emissions. This front coil cooled the burn to meet emissions standards of the 70's. Any idea on the steam generation and water rate? Thanks

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 3 months ago

Hi Steve, Back to your steam gen design concept. What Rolly and I are suggesting is that you will get the most bang for the buck if you plan on forcing the hot gas burner flow through the set path at the fastest rate you can. Next best bang for the buck is to force the water through the tube path the fastest rate you can. This has to be a consideration of tube diameter and length. The attac

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 4 months ago

Hi Ken, Nice reply. You got me thinking about a downdraft Ofeldt configuration for a boiler design. Very interesting idea. Also, counter flow hot burner gasses to steam generation direction is a good idea. However, no matter the configuration, the increase in hot gas flow through the system is paramount. I side track to Chuk's presentation he gave at the last SACA meet. His burner blower is

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 4 months ago

Thanks Ken, I second the motion, nice job with CAD. I also agree that it is one of the best Rankine Systems designed. It is hard to beat the circulation system using the inductor in synergy with other functions. Perhaps I'll get around to showing how I would use the fluid diode on an Ofeldt. Respectfully, I know you're not to keen on the Ofeldt. However, the idea is to turn the natural circ

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 4 months ago

Hi Ken, I think Steve mistake you for me above...it's OK. I'm curious if you ever ran across a Tesla Flow Valve (check valve) sometimes referred to as a water diode used in a boiler to convert feedwater to circulation? This would be the lose concept. I included a pic for reference. Can you attach an example of a French inductor (injector) forced circulation? Thanks, Rick

by Rick.H - SteamStuff

Re: Force circulation steam generator design - 4 months ago

Hi Steve, Note that I re-attached your concept. I have some questions: - How are you going to control feed water - What size/diameter are the tubes? (important to Reynold's No. and Turbulent flow/heat transfer) - How many MBTU for the burner - If OK to release, what length of the tubes - Do you have any size or shape restrictions - I'm guessing you have a feed pump planned, where would t

by Rick.H - SteamStuff