Thursday, July 31, 2008

Test & Set a Variable Pressure Relief Valve

I test and set a variable pressure relief valve using reckoning(or estimation).





My Findings

1. The yellow spring is for the lowest pressure range: 20-50PSI

2. The relief valve is relatively insensitive.

3. After spring contact with the valve between 1/8th and 1/4 turn should yield between 22 and 26 pounds blow off pressure.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Given the rapidness at which hydroxy gas moves when ignited how effective would you think this would be in preventing the PVC encasement from blowing apart. In my research, 16 gauge metal enclosure is the only safe HHO unit for containment from possible flashback explosions.

Charlie Ehler said...

At this point I don't know the answer but I'm working toward knowing the answer just as soon as I set up a test.

I haven't found yet a source for estimating the pressures I'll experience when the hydroxy ignites. Due to the speed of combustion, it makes a sound like a rifle report when ignited in a foam state. This leads me to believe the pressure achieved may far exceed the pressure rating of the container even with a standard pressure relief valve.

I did see a homemade bubbler blowoff device that seems to work really well. It uses a stack of washers, rubber gaskets and a spring to provide the tension. I haven't seen design specs on it but saw the demo on youtube.

This means there is hope of solving the problem, even though we may have to manufacture it ourselves.

The intent right now is to see if this a viable solution to the flashback problem that can be purchased off the shelf.

Charlie

Anonymous said...

I went to Ytube to chech it out but couldn't find it-would you direct me to the URL?
Autoignition for hydrogy according to text is ? I will have look that up again but I recall it was beyond 100 psi somewhere around 1056 psi and I think the DIY builders will not have the known how to build anything that produces that pressure unless the pressure relif doesn't work and a HHO unit is allowed to reach that pressure. Will have to get back with source of text as well.

Anonymous said...

"This leads me to believe the pressure achieved may far exceed the pressure rating of the container even with a standard pressure relief valve."

Your statement above has far reaching implications as to suitable containers for DIY HHO builders that needs further investigation.I am sure some PHd has experimented along thes lines but where that can be found will take some detective work.

Charlie Ehler said...

The video can be found on this person's profile www.youtube.com/user/bagrmanhd. The title is "Bubbler Safety, Automatic resetting popoff Valve".

Charlie

Charlie Ehler said...

""This leads me to believe the pressure achieved may far exceed the pressure rating of the container even with a standard pressure relief valve."

Your statement above has far reaching implications as to suitable containers for DIY HHO builders that needs further investigation.I am sure some PHd has experimented along thes lines but where that can be found will take some detective work."

Yes it does. we don't need dead people in this endeavor or the government might step in and try to control or stop it. I think they have no business doing so, although they will if we give them an excuse.

The government will definately step in if folks start selling things that kill people. For safety's sake AND to keep the government from stepping in we have to work on safe methods and devices.

Safety first. Then discovery.

My intent is to see if the thing works at all. If it does then I'll do a fatigue test and see if the container will withstand a bunch of flashbacks, say 100 or more. If it does then it is probably safe to use.

Charlie