Good points if the pressure vessel is actually used as a pressure vessel
instead of just a tank in a LSR car.
Interesting though, if the ASME Codes were strictly applied, all OEM car
radiators and any modifications thereof would be subject to ASME Design
Codes and Certification---wouldn't that be a can of worms! Don't think we
want to go there.
Lance
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Weldons" <2weldons@earthlink.net>
To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 12:32 PM
Subject: Radiator in a bath tub
> Hey guys!! Some of you might not like what I'm going to say here--
> First a little history: One of the principal driving forces behind the
> formation of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in the
> late
> 1800's was the fact that too many people were being killed in steam boiler
> explosions. They developed what is today called the ASME Pressure Vessel
> Code.
> So if you're going to fool around with a high pressure steam generator you
> better know what you're doing.
> As long as we use water tanks with generously sized vents and made out of
> light enough materials that any pressure buildup will simply split the
> seams
> we're reasonably safe. (Though one of my close friends can well comment
> on
> the discomfort of hot water spraying around the cockpit of a roadster at
> 175+). But when you start talking about pressure tanks that will work at
> 100
> psi, watch out!! You'd better do some real engineering on it and be ready
> to
> convince the tech inspectors that you know what you're doing and that it
> will
> indeed work as designed under many different unfavorable racing
> conditions.
> One possible scenario: Engine overheats with steam leaking into the tank.
> Relief valve works for a while then jams. Tank, half full of steam,
> builds to
> 100 psi then bursts a seam. Driver is killed instantly as the middle of
> the
> car is blown to pieces by the explosion.
> Tech guys -- are you listening? I suspect so.
> Ed Weldon
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