copper pipe ?

[cessna]

I am building my first steam project, can anyone tell me if the copper tube used from the boiler to the cyls is anything special, the boiler will run at 90 to 100lbs pressure?
Terry

 

[sunworksco]

For that amount of pressure, you can use type L copper tube.
Here is a Mueller copper tube chart.
Regards,
Giovanni

View attachment curwat.pdf

View attachment boiler-tests.pdf

View attachment ModelBoilers.pdf

 

[cessna]

Thanks for the reply.
Terry

 

[Jasonb]

I'm not really familiar with the type L pipe but make sure it is of the right wall thickness, for your 5" dia boiler I would say you need it in the region of 1/8" wall thickness, plumbing pipe is often thinner.

Jason

 

[sunworksco]

The 5" Type L copper tube has an 1/8" wall thickness.
I have been a pipefitter for over 40 years and have fabricated miles of copper waterways.
Regards,
Giovanni

 

[arnoldb]

Terry, as to your original question - the piping from the regulator on your boiler to your cylinder steam port connection should just be rated for the pressure you need for steam. As you don't say what diameter the piping should be, it's difficult to say if anything special is required; in general, the smaller the diameter of the piping the higher internal pressure it can take - from the graphs and specifications I've studied so far.

Your biggest problem might be the actual connections at the ends of the piping you choose to use - the connections should also be able to cope with the pressure.
If you have any "soldering" to do on the connective pipe fittings, I would definitely recommend silver brazing.

Regards, Arnold

 

[Jasonb]

Arnolds post made me re read the origina, I thought we were talking about teh boiler not the connecting pipework :-[

Jason

 

[cessna]

Thanks for all the help, the piping I was asking about is from the boiler to the valve and then on to the two cyls, it calls for 3/16 and 1/4 inch pipe but does not say what grade to buy.
Terry

 

[sunworksco]

Thanks for all the help, the piping I was asking about is from the boiler to the valve and then on to the two cyls, it calls for 3/16 and 1/4 inch pipe but does not say what grade to buy.
Terry

I got confused, too. LOL! :big:
Sorry,
Giovanni

 

[GWRdriver]

Terry,
We (in N.A.) typically use "refrigeration" tubing for all ancillary steam lines. This comes hard drawn in straight lengths or annealed in coils and any HVAC supply or repair will have it.

 

[bentprop]

I use copper brake pipe,available at a any good auto supply store.

 

[arnoldb]

Like Harry said, refrigeration grade piping is more than adequate. Get the annealed piping; saves you from having to anneal it yourself to make the bendy bits
I had a link to some good copper piping specifications and a whole lot of other info around copper tubing; I'll look for it and post it up once I find it.

Edit: The link I mentioned; it will download the pdf book for you: http://www.copper.org/publications/pub_list/pdf/copper_tube_handbook.pdf
From the rated pressures for 1/4" ACR grade annealed pipe, it is rated at over 1000psi for temperatures up to 300 Fahrenheit. The 3/16" is rated at over 1500 psi for the same temperature range.

Regards, Arnold

 

[cessna]

Thanks guys for the help with both the specs and sources for the pipe. Much appreciated.
Terry