Re: steam engine lubrication
Date: September 03, 2002 03:38AM
<HTML>Hi Jim:
C. Lee Cook of Louisville, KY has a lot of experience with nonlube, nonmetallic ring materials that can be used in steam engines. The real issue is geometry and strength so the rings can cross the exhaust ports without tearing themselves up. Also you need poppet valves with self lubing stems. My old files show their phone no. as 502-587-6783. I have worked with them before and they were always attentive to my needs.
Teflon and rulon are nice, but the nonlube ring business has gone way beyond these materials. You can do much better I am sure because gas compressors and pumps have pushed the development of some pretty amazing materials.
Are you going to use a condenser? If not, a simple compounded cylinder oil around a 190 SUS @ 210 deg. F. is probably about right. If you are using a condenser then an uncompounded oil of about the same viscosity and fairly high superheat around 525 - 600 deg. F will work nicely in the engine and will separate out from the condensate satisfactorily. I can blend up these oils to order if you decide to go the traditional route and build a metallic engine that needs internal cylinder lubricants.
Bill Petitjean</HTML>