I just purchased a completely hand built steam car that a recently deceased master machinist crafted together. He built many complete steam engines and boilers for other people but the majority of those boilers went in boats and were wood fired. My car's boiler is diesel fired and uses steam to atomize the diesel for burning. When the boiler has pressure steam is used to atomize the fuel. But when the boiler is cold I have used my shop air supply to provide the atomization until I have adequate steam pressure.
The problem arise when I take the car somewhere and there is no air supply to get it fired. The gentleman made a mount for a high pressure bottle and regulator but when I purchased the car these items were no where to be found. My question is what kind of high pressure "gas" could I use just for the atomization process? I was thinking about using nitrogen but because of it's inert nature it may put the fire out. In just conversations with other men it was mentioned to get a small bottle of compressed (atmospheric air) like that used by divers. This would be perfect but I don't have a dive shop in my area to inquire about this or refill the bottle. I've had folks recommend a portable compressor and other items but that takes the portability out of the car and the original builder had thought about this question and made provisions in the car to carry a high pressure "gas" bottle.
Any idea's gentlemen? Thoughts would also be appreciated. I'm brand new to your forum and thought this would be a good question to start off with.
Thank you for your help and thoughts here.
Lisa
The problem arise when I take the car somewhere and there is no air supply to get it fired. The gentleman made a mount for a high pressure bottle and regulator but when I purchased the car these items were no where to be found. My question is what kind of high pressure "gas" could I use just for the atomization process? I was thinking about using nitrogen but because of it's inert nature it may put the fire out. In just conversations with other men it was mentioned to get a small bottle of compressed (atmospheric air) like that used by divers. This would be perfect but I don't have a dive shop in my area to inquire about this or refill the bottle. I've had folks recommend a portable compressor and other items but that takes the portability out of the car and the original builder had thought about this question and made provisions in the car to carry a high pressure "gas" bottle.
Any idea's gentlemen? Thoughts would also be appreciated. I'm brand new to your forum and thought this would be a good question to start off with.
Thank you for your help and thoughts here.
Lisa