[TheForge] Building a propane forge

[John Husvar]

Bruce Freeman wrote:
> An atomizer or carburetor (more or less the same thing) is a device that
> uses the venturi principle to aspirate a liquid into a gas.  Evaporation
> is secondary and may or may not occur.  Important point:  The gas is
> almost invariably air, not the vaporized liquid.  Furthermore, energy is
> required to aspirate the liquid.  This does not describe the typical
> propane tank + regulator + plumbing.
>  
> Once through the pressure regulator poppet valve, it  is highly
> unlikely that propane would recondense.  It COULD recondense if the
> plumbing were cold enough, but the tank is likely to be the coldest
> thing in the chain, as that is where the evaporation is taking place.

Yes, I can see that. The converse, then, is not true or at least not 
likely: The propane could not recondense by losing energy to the air 
molecules it entrains and accelerates?

OK, I think I see your point: The propane, once outside the pipe, or 
even the tank, is in a place where the temperature and pressure are 
insufficient to allow it to recondense. It can get enough energy to 
remain a gas just from the surroundings.

I was thinking of another use of pressure differential and that it might 
allow the propane to cool enough to recondense, but I guess it wouldn't 
at that.

(Thinking of a venturi vacuum pump/cleaner where moving air entrains and 
moves still air to create a low pressure area into which room air, 
water, etc. could flow -- used them at one plant I did work in to clean 
up water spillage, etc. Thinking of the high-pressure air stream as the 
propane. :)

The venturi effect could occur anywhere a moving fluid creates a low 
pressure area relative to another fluid, no? The flowing propane could 
aspirate air just as moving air can aspirate liquid in a carburetor or 
atomizer. Same way as a water aerator works, if I'm thinking correctly.

I stand corrected. :)

College was too darn long ago. Guess I'm going to have to do some reading.

EEEK! Brain Fade, Brain Fade!
-- 
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in one pretty and well-preserved piece.
One should rather skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW!  WHAT A RIDE!"