[TheForge] Building a propane forge

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Bruce
NJ
Congratulations, you are the first of many scolders to come. However, I make 
no apology for using the term "vapor" as it is the definition which the 
National Propane Association uses and is the definition adopted by the National Fire 
Protection Association. Since the later writes the safety codes -- in close 
consultation and cooperation with the former -- that government agencies adopt, 
and since the former writes all other technical terms and makes the 
definitions which are used...
you are outvoted.

"The only remaining possibility would be a
mist, or "aerosol", in which liquid droplets are entrained in air.  I
submit that even this is highly unlikely under the conditions of
operation of any burner."

The problems associated with the difference between a true gas and propane 
vapor (as "the powers that be" use it, I will too) are not only real, but are 
taken into consideration in LPG equipment construction, and are frequently 
encountered in cold weather by people using propane to run forges and furnaces. I 
do not refer to so called "freezing up," which is simply the result of the 
liquid falling below its boiling point, but of pulsing. The colder the vapor gets 
the more vapor like, and less gas like, it becomes. 

I think perhaps the problem you are having with my viewpoint -- and that is 
all it is -- is a mistaken impression about my use of the term "clumps." I am 
not trying to convey the thought of anything so enormous a a "droplet" and 
should have made that clear. The particles envisioned are to small to even be 
seen, but still affect combustion. To keep this friendly (because your comments 
were very civil, and because I don't want to discourage further critics), I will 
reiterate that my ideas of the whys and wherefores about the way my burners 
work are definitely open to question. I am not a scientist, nor a combustion 
engineer. That the equipment does work, just as stated--complete or near nearly 
complete primary flame combustion -- and that the rest of the equipment in the 
book lives up to my claims completely, is all I can guarantee.
Before anyone asks, the qualification "or nearly complete" is not a back door 
for excuse making. These burners are going to be hand built, not turned out 
in a factory. Furthermore, unless someone wants to stand around doing nothing 
more than readjusting the burner, it will vary slightly in performance from 
minuet to minuet. With acknowledgment of these two limiting factors, complete 
means complete. 

Again, congratulations on being the first challenger, and please don't 
hesitate to call me to account again. When caught in a mistake I will 'fess right up 
to it. More importantly, don't hesitate to try and make a better burner. That 
is called progress :o)
Mikey


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