Re: Spark Arrestors

As far as I am aware all coal burners (except minatures) have some sort of internal cinder abatement arrangement.
K-36s and K-37s have "cyclone" front ends. This is an arrangement of plates and baffles who's purpose is to break up the cinders into small pieces so they burn out before reaching the ground and starting fires. They work to a degree but only to a degree.
The K-27s had "master mechanic" front ends. This consists of a baffle, a table plate, and a large slanted netting that all the smoke passes through. These also work but only to a degree.
Niether of these are completely effective and fires which can have unacceptable consequences may still occur.
If netting is place inside the stack the negative effect on the draft makes the locomotive difficult to fire and actually can result in increased fire danger.
The trick in cinder abatement is to get the balance between the maximum transparency of the netting, the smallest possible screen openings, and wire diameter lagre enough to withstand the force of the steam and cinders hitting it.