The Centrifuge -- Why is it Needed?
In a condensing steam car oil gets mixed into the feed water. This is very undesirable as the oil will form carbon deposits in the steam generator. Oil gets into the feed water as the exhaust steam carries oil away from the engine and through the condenser to the feed water tank, additionally water gets into the oil. In a single acting engine, any water that gets past the piston rings winds up in the crankcase. No matter how good the piston rings are, they are incapable of providing a 100% seal against the condensate.
Condensate from the condenser is pumped into the centrifuge along with a mixture of water and oil f rom the crankcase. The centrifuge separates water and oil. Oil free water is returned to the water storage tank and water-free oil is returned to the crankcase. The centrifuge also removes any solid particles that may be in the oil. The oil used in the crankcase must be free of detergents, because the detergents will emulsify the crankcase oil. The centrifuge can not separate emulsified oil.
The centrifuge is belt driven from the crankshaft at 1 1/2 times engine speed. Very low torque is required to drive the centrifuge. An o-ring belt can be used, but a more substantial belt is recommended.
The drawings contain details of all the centrifuge parts. The centrifuge is built without any castings, using only bar stock and tubing. This centrifuge has been on the Barrett Steam Car for over 10 years and has given excellent service.
Right Angle Gearbox
The centrifuge operates in a horizontal plane with its spin axis vertical.
Torque must be transmitted from the crankshaft which is horizontal, so
to transmit torque from the crankshaft to the centrifuge we need a right
angle gearbox so that the transmitted torque can make a 90 degree bend.
High Pressure Injection Pump Drawings
sets available. Temperature
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© 1999 Karl A. Petersen.