Re: Boiler design question

Several years ago I helped remove bricks from our Mikado for an inspection. As I removed brick next to the side and door sheets, I discovered red tinted sand. This was worst at the bottom of the stack of bricks, next to the sheets. Additionally, the sand was moist. I believe it was as a result of this inspection that it was determined that some side sheeting had to be replaced due to thinning caused by corrosion (rust).

Jerry may recall if it was this or a later inspection that resulted in the need to replace the side sheeting.

Also, following up on tweetsieengineer's comments on corrosion due to coal etching or eroding the tubes. No. 19 is an oil burner and therefore has no coal erosion, but undoubtedly does experience corrosion due to sanding. I think it was as a result of the afore mentioned inspection and repair that the decision was made to sand less often. If the fire is kept hot and clean with little or no smoke, sanding is seldom necessary. I have seen weekends wherein we did not sand at all. The following weekend little or no soot buildup was found in the tubes. Sand can and does infiltrate between and behind the brick work even though there is mortar between the bricks.

dan