Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
(OP)
Hi all,
I'm designing an exhaust system for an industrial engine (50 litre) test cell and need a design that covers engines of various sizes and exhaust outlet configurations.
To achieve this I need X2 articulating exhaust systems for each cell ( one for each bank of V 12-16's engines ) - something like a jib crane with a flexible fall tube. This could be swung back to the test cell wall when not in use
Is this possible? - I guess I would need some kind of spherical joint to allow movement that would also be gas tight.
All help or ideas appreciated :), thanks Kenneth
I'm designing an exhaust system for an industrial engine (50 litre) test cell and need a design that covers engines of various sizes and exhaust outlet configurations.
To achieve this I need X2 articulating exhaust systems for each cell ( one for each bank of V 12-16's engines ) - something like a jib crane with a flexible fall tube. This could be swung back to the test cell wall when not in use
Is this possible? - I guess I would need some kind of spherical joint to allow movement that would also be gas tight.
All help or ideas appreciated :), thanks Kenneth





RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Brian Bobyk - Hoerbiger Canada
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
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RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
You mean that ambient air temperature and pressure in the cell might be important?
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Floor stand: heavy base + adjustable pole + loose fitting ring, sort of like the base for an industrial fan. It might even be cheapest to just buy some big floor fans and throw away the fan and motor.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Unfortunately I need to measure exhaust back pressure/smoke/temperature in each bank of the engine. To simulate back pressure from mufflers, a flap has to be set in a Y piece where the gases from both banks meet. So I don't think i can use a hood and extractor. Cell temperature also has to be controlled by fans.
I like the idea of using flexible metal pipe to the wall - I have used braided stainless steel tube which has good flexibility. It's complicated by needing a back pressure sensor about 12" from the exhaust outlet and some engines have flat, 45 or 90 degree outlets so quite a bit of movement would be needed.
The method used now is to have many sets of pipes to rig the engine to an A frame mounted on the test cart with outlets in fixed positions. This is time consuming fitting/removing them and storing all the exhaust pipes needed takes a lot of space. What we really need is a single adjustable exhaust system in the test cell to cover everything.
Sorry about the rambling message!
Thanks again, Kenneth Moore
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Mind you, one might think that 4 joints in a rigid pipe might be less hassle than a flexible articulating system, if you are testing for a week at a time.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
The usual test cycle time is about 2 hours so minimising rigging/de -rigging time is very important.
I like Mike's idea of using flexible hose to the test cell wall or I could hang it down from the roof if sufficient movememnt can be achieved to cover all the outlet locations. It would then need to be secured out of the way when docking the engine in position which presents another problem,
I have found that aluminium convuluted tube becomes almost ridgid when it is heated and contaminated with soot. If it is possible to buy braided stainless steel tube in long lengths at 10" diameter this would be better.
If anyone knows of a spherical/swivel joint of about 10" in diameter that can withstand temperature I would be very interested!,
Many thanks Kenneth
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Better to use straight tube where you can, and join it with pieces of bellows/braid, acting as flexible elbows. The elbows should be considered consumables, and made easily replaceable. Or rigid elbows and swivel joints.
Frankly, I like the standardized test cart interface better; maybe you just need a better way of keeping the adapters neat and organized.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
The standardized test cart does work okay. But from a production point of view I'm trying to eliminate work that doesn't add any value. It seems more logical to fit the exhaust once in the test cell directly to the engine if the problems can be overcome.
Ideally I would like some kind of space age fabric that is very flexible and temperature resistant but it seems that no such product exists!
If i could find a company that could flare a 16g 10" steel tube to the right profiles for a spherical joint that could be an option. Something else to investigate.
At the moment what Mike said has got me thinking about having a flexible joint at roof level for each cylinder bank, attached to about 5ft of straight pipe and another flexible section on the end. The exhaust outlet could have a swivel joint with say a 15 or 30 deg. elbow.
It's just getting the drop height correct to the exhaust outlet that concerns me. I guess I would need some kind of sliding gas tight joint but I doubt anything is on the market ready made .
Thanks all help and ideas much appreciated ,Kenneth
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
If my memory is correct you would need a fabric that is good to ~1200°F. (if I'm wrong - its been a long weekend.
ISZ
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
But the binders that hold glass fibers together in fabrics and batting will burn off at lower temperatures than that, making insulation basically a one-shot, or one thermal cycle, deal.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
Here's the sort of thing, spring loaded bolts to clamp the two flanges together.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
RE: Test Cell Exhaust system for large v engine
their heavy duty stainless mixing bowls
they make them from small to huge,
they all have a flat bottom, and they nest together tightly
one could cut the bottoms out and have stainless pipe tig welded in and you have your ball swivel parts pre-made.
don't laugh till you at least take a look!
bob g
www.microcogen.info