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[Muleears]

I want to make this




Into a condensor/oil separator.  However I am not sure of the plumbing.  In my searches I see that most have two pipes attached. An inlet (the motor exhaust) and an outlet.  Is this essentially a can that allows the exhaust steam, laden with oil, to condense within and only the water vapor to escape?  I have never seen inside one of these and it seems a empty can would suffice.  I gather the inlet (from the motor) is generally located lower than the outlet, is this correct?  I also notice that some have the outlet spliced into the chimney of their boiler, or run along side it.  Is this to create the appearance of a "steam" exhaust from the flue or is there another reason?  If someone could provide a cross section of the inside of one of these I would appreciate it.

The item I want to use is a former miniature alcohol torch.  It is approx. 8cm tall by 4.5cm in diameter.  Can the inlet and outlet pipes enter the same orifice?  In my case, the hole in the top, as long as the inlet pipe extends nearer the bottom of the can?  Or should I just use the top hole as the exhaust and drill a hole elsewhere for the inlet? 

Any help is greatly appreciated.  I'm trying to learn as much as I can and the learning curve is steep!

[john s 2]

There are a few ways of doing this. One inlet pipe part way down, one outlet pipe at top. The outlet pipe is often lead into the funnel for steam release. When the condenser becomes full how will you empty it? Most have a third pipe going to the bottom often fitted with a blocked off tube. At the end of the run its unblocked and the tube to the funnel pinched so steam pressure discharges the waste into a suitable container. Now you may have seen valves on these units.This is to control the steam instead of pipe pinching and unblocking  it makes life easyer but costs more. One thing its best never to discharge unseperated steam up the funnel as the oil can run back into the boiler and over a period of time burn and block your tubes. John 

[Muleears]

Here is what I have done so far:



Still a little work to do with the mahogany, but its shows promise.

I'm thinking in and out will go through the opening in the top and a drain added elsewhere.

[flashtwo]

Hi,


On "Vital Byte" I have a combined feed heater / condenser / oil separator; see the "flash steam boiler control" thread for photos:-

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15817.100

The exhaust steam / lub oil  enters the top of the container and condenses on the cold feed water coil and the non-condensed vapour exits through the vent, but not up the boiler stack.

A drain pipe, located at the lowest part of the condenser, then dumps the clean condensed water over-board, leaving the oil floating on top of the water in the condenser.

Before running, one has to ensure that the condenser is topped up with water to allow the oil to float on top, otherwise on startup there is the danger of oil being discharged onto the pond.

Running this way allows the boat to steam without having to return to shore for the condensate to be pumped out. The oil content gradually builds up during the season and can sucked out with a syringe as required. Once a year I remove the condenser and give it a good de-grease.

"Vital Byte" and "Vital Thrust" will be exhibited at the London Model Engineering Exhibtion at the Ally Pally on the 20th to 22nd January.
  Ian.

[pettyofficernick]

The inlet from the exhaust should be set in such a wat as to make the exhaust steam swirl around in the condenser to use centrifugal force to help remove oil from tne steam. There is a thread detailing this somewhere on this forum, link below.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Nick.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23130.0

[Muleears]

Thanks gentlemen, I think you have given me what I need. This forum has been a tremendous resource.