Crazy steam-hydraulic unit design

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and engineering of a high-pressure steam-hydraulic unit intended for a mobile automaton powered by wood or coal. Participants explore the necessary equations for wall thickness and temperature to generate steam at 6000 psi, as well as the overall design considerations for a pressure vessel with specific dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks equations for wall thickness and temperature for steam generation at 6000 psi for a pressure vessel of 30" diameter and 36" length.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the safety of the project and inquires about the original poster's experience with high-pressure designs.
  • The original poster admits to a lack of experience in high-pressure designs but plans to increase wall thickness by 50-100% beyond recommendations to address material imperfections and enhance heat capacity.
  • The original poster mentions plans for initial tests in an isolated area to ensure safety, including building a protective structure around the vessel.
  • Another participant asks about the application of the project and whether off-the-shelf solutions exist.
  • The original poster describes the application as a mobile automaton inspired by a tabletop game, suggesting potential utility for lumber mills and loggers, and discusses the efficiency of high-pressure systems for on-site power generation.
  • A later reply emphasizes safety concerns and suggests seeking guidance from a knowledgeable local mentor, indicating that the thread may not continue due to liability issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding safety and experience with high-pressure designs. There is no consensus on the feasibility or safety of the proposed project, and the discussion remains unresolved due to the closure of the thread.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful consideration of safety and design parameters, but specific assumptions and calculations regarding wall thickness and temperature remain unaddressed. The discussion reflects a mix of exploratory ideas and caution regarding high-pressure systems.

Prizzard
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I can't find equations for wall thickness or required temperature to generate steam at 6000psi. The goal here is a pressure vessel 'cylinder' 30" diameter, 36" long. It will be used to pump 42000psi hydraulics using a piston pump directly driven to a smaller series of pistons to allow the pressure increase.

If anyone can give the required equations and/or information, that would be great! If anyone wants to help with the overall design, I'm open to any input, but I will definitely be ironing out the final design myself. I enjoy the adventure :D
 
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Prizzard said:
I can't find equations for wall thickness or required temperature to generate steam at 6000psi. The goal here is a pressure vessel 'cylinder' 30" diameter, 36" long. It will be used to pump 42000psi hydraulics using a piston pump directly driven to a smaller series of pistons to allow the pressure increase.

If anyone can give the required equations and/or information, that would be great! If anyone wants to help with the overall design, I'm open to any input, but I will definitely be ironing out the final design myself. I enjoy the adventure :D
Sounds a bit dangerous, no? What is your level of education and experience with high-pressure designs?
 
Specifically high-pressure designs, none. I dabble in a lot of basic stuff, primarily projects that get sold or just fail to take off. If this becomes a project I can pursue on my own, I plan to increase the wall thickness 50-100% beyond the recommended both to deal with imperfections in the material and weld and to increase heat capacity to help keep it running under high load. The initial tests of the vessel are to be performed in an isolated area with nobody present until the vessel has had time to cool off. Something akin to a log cabin will be built around the vessel for the test to reduce the distance potential debris can fly.
 
Prizzard said:
Specifically high-pressure designs, none. I dabble in a lot of basic stuff, primarily projects that get sold or just fail to take off. If this becomes a project I can pursue on my own, I plan to increase the wall thickness 50-100% beyond the recommended both to deal with imperfections in the material and weld and to increase heat capacity to help keep it running under high load. The initial tests of the vessel are to be performed in an isolated area with nobody present until the vessel has had time to cool off. Something akin to a log cabin will be built around the vessel for the test to reduce the distance potential debris can fly.
What is the application? Are there any currently-available off-the-shelf solutions for this application?
 
The application is a mobile automaton fueled by wood/coal. The original source of inspiration is a total pipedream (See: Warmachine, tabletop miniatures game). I feel some adaptation of this system could be useful to lumber mills and loggers from what I saw during my time in Virginia.

High-pressure systems are more efficient, on-site power generation is more efficient than bringing batteries or hauling fuel. Most power we have ever generated and even now generate is some take on steam power, with the exception of solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric.
 
Prizzard said:
The application is a mobile automaton fueled by wood/coal. The original source of inspiration is a total pipedream (See: Warmachine, tabletop miniatures game). I feel some adaptation of this system could be useful to lumber mills and loggers from what I saw during my time in Virginia.

High-pressure systems are more efficient, on-site power generation is more efficient than bringing batteries or hauling fuel. Most power we have ever generated and even now generate is some take on steam power, with the exception of solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric.
It does sound like you are trying to be careful, but for liability reasons we can't allow this thread to continue. Hopefully you can a knowledgeable local Mentor who can help you in person with your project. Please be safe.

Thread is closed.
 
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