Smoke in Coal Bin

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 4:40 pm

I still can't comprehend why you are the only person that seems to have this issue. Regardless, you have not given up and have engineered a "fix". The principle is good, but the application is not.

I discussed this with a friend, and he pointed out that if you shear a pin (and the auger stops turning) the fire will chase the coal and air...right down the tube and past the edge of the base. It will melt your plastic fittings, and possibly start a fire or at a minimum fill the basement with fumes.

 
daluds
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Post by daluds » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 5:37 pm

Rob,

Wet fines dry and clog the 7 holes, then the pressure of the fan pushes the smoke down the tube and into the bin/house.

The Kimmel's coal I get in bags are wet, and I try to dry about 300lbs of coal before putting it into my bigger bin. I drain water from the bin and pre-bin, and wet vac a couple gallons for every 300lbs or so. Unfortunately, there is no other source of coal up where I live. I tried to buy a different brand, but they could not deliver until December so I went back to Kimmel's coal.

The only other thing I haven't changed is the upper/lower auger. I will try this later in the fall since these are expensive. I can disconnect the air feed to the pipe easily. I'll buy a new upper pipe if I get new coal source and augers next season. I can easily plug the top of the blower with 3/4" MIP plug since its tapped to go back to normal.

Draft is good. Pipes are new. Pot rebuilt last season. Once I clear the 7 holes in the upper pipe it runs normal so I know the cause, but don't know how to stop the 7 holes from clogging. I am sure its from the wet coal once the fines dry. Hopefully, I will be able to buy a different brand next year and have new augers.

Unfortunately, there are no EFM service guys in MA. I am not sure they can provide any more input than what I have already tried. BTW, this has never happen to the other EFM DF520 I run at my parents in PA. However, they get coal delivered dry and fills up bin which has 4-5 ton capacity in the basement.

Dave

 
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stoker-man
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Post by stoker-man » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 7:37 pm

Rob brings up a valid point in the event of an outfire. An outfire control is shown in the manual and it shuts down the blower in the event the fire goes out. You just enter a temperature below which the boiler temp would not go with the fire going.

The shear pin looks like a nail and can be seen just behind the hairpin clip in this picture about one inch in from the left.

 
daluds
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Post by daluds » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 8:56 pm

Thanks - I do have the shear pin installed. I have the thermostat to shutdown the boiler when temp is below 130-140ish.


 
daluds
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Post by daluds » Wed. Jan. 29, 2014 8:14 am

I was also considering making a tool to clean out the 7 holes without taking the pipe out of the pot. Maybe a see saw type of tool with nail on the end to poke up to clear the holes? This would only require taking the pipe halves apart, and pull the upper auger.

After running with the the external hose a full day, I have found the coal is burning more (hotter) on the side where the feed pipe comes in. If I reduce the air flow into the top of the upper feed pipe it burns more evenly, but still more air on the inlet side.

I'll keep experimenting, but can always go back to normal operation. I'll look into replacing the PVC with metal parts if I keep this solution.

Thanks,

Dave

 
daluds
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Post by daluds » Thu. Jan. 30, 2014 8:06 pm

The 1" air tube was too large, and making the right side of the pot (other side of coal inlet) not have enough air. I reduced the air tube to 1/2" and three holes in the feed pipe. Seems to provide more even air flow in the pot.

While fussing with the air, I notice my LF70A tempering valve was leaking so I went to shut off the water supply and the ball valve handle broke off completely. Seems every ball value of this brand is stuck open. All the Watts ball valves work great. Any suggestions on how to unstick these? They are Mueller Global (what junk). Can I fix the one I broke without replacing it?

Attachments

IMG_20140130_194615_042 sm.jpg

Routed 1/2" air tube down under boiler. Used 1/2" barb to 3/4" MIP elbow. Now can put on the blower cover.

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Routed 1/2" air tube under boiler with only 3 holes open in the pipe. Used 1/2" barb to 3/4" MIP in the cap.

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IMG_20140130_194753_105 sm.jpg

Ring looks more uniform with 1/2" hose and fewer holes.

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IMG_20140128_202935_279 SM.jpg

Valve handle broke off turning water off.

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IMG_20140130_194831_344 sm.jpg

Bin and Coal Drying

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IMG_20140130_194852_008 Sm.jpg

Look! No SMOKE!!!

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daluds
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Post by daluds » Thu. Feb. 06, 2014 8:50 pm

Still working great! No smoke in the bin at all.

Upper pipe runs very cool with the air attachment.

Ashes are filling up even too.

So nice not to have to pull the boiler apart every month or smell the sulfur in the basement when those holes clog.

The EFM 520 is saving me a lot of money, and is a fun project.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Thu. Feb. 06, 2014 9:10 pm

As long as it's workin safely & your happy with the results. :)


 
daluds
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Post by daluds » Sun. Feb. 09, 2014 6:28 pm

Works great! The upper feed pipe runs cool, and there is no sign of coal burning deeper in the pot. I'll keep monitoring it daily, but still looks good.

Thanks.

 
daluds
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM DF520
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Post by daluds » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 9:21 pm

Changed coal bags from Kimmels to Coal Contractors and no problems any more. Trying another brand this year.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Fri. Aug. 29, 2014 10:55 am

Deep Purple anyone??

Smooooooke in the coal bin....
A fire in the stove..

:band:
:lol:

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