Tuesday, 21 August 2012

How is a Boiler Made?

A closed vessel which is used to heat fluids (more commonly water) is what is known as a boiler. The fluid normally exists in the boiler so that it can be used in heating applications or various processes such as generation of power, sanitation or even cooking.

Material used in the making of a boiler

A boiler has got a pressure vessel which is usually made from alloy steel/ conventionally made from wrought iron. The boiler code from ASME virtually prohibits the use of stainless steel in the modern boilers wetted parts and so, you will mostly find the stainless steel in the parts of the boiler which will not get exposed to the boilers liquid water. However, in the models that are live stream, you will find that brass or copper has been used and it is because these two materials can be easily fabricated when it comes to boilers that are of smaller sizes.

In the past, steam locomotive fireboxes wee made of copper because of its thermal conductivity which is high and also because it has better formability. But in the modern times, and with the current economic hardships; copper is not a favourite to use because of its high price and therefore, many find buying it to be a choice that is uneconomical thus go for cheaper substitutes like steel.

The wrought iron of the highest grade, which would be obtained from ironwork specialists like Cleator Moor (UK), was much used in the Victorian age in making boilers. But the design practise in the 20th century move to the use of steel instead.

Steps in making a boiler

Now, you can have your own DIY boiler by just following the below give steps:

1) On the drums ends, cut central holes in such a way the pipe (which is about 150mm) will snugly fit through. Push it into the drum then braise, weld or solder it in place. Also make sure that the joints (especially the bottom) are tight enough not to let any water through. The pipe acts as the chimney and the drum as the vessel/boiler.

2) On the water heaters top, measure then have a hole cut which shall fit the pipe which has got a J-shape then seal it using either of the aforementioned ways. This is the pipe for pressure release and without it; your boiler will not work or might turn into a bomb with severe consequences.

3) Have two holes cut at the boilers bottom (to act as outlets or inlets) then braise, weld or insert then to their place. You can alternatively have the top with a hole cut so that you can be pouring water from there. But remember that you will still need an outlet at the boilers bottom so a tap would do.

4) With another topless cylinder that is 300mm high, you then cut a rectangular bottom hole and it is where you will have your fire fed with fuels and also remove any accumulating ash.

5) Take your drum and have it positioned at the topless cylinders top then braise or weld to hold in place.

6) Have the drum filled with water, light a fire at the bottom then wait for the water to heat but remember to keep the fire burning until the water has been heated.

The above mentioned is how you can make a DIY water boiler.

Which Metal Is Best For Jewellery?

Whether you are in a place where you want to purchase the best ring for your significant other or you
want to buy a piece of quality jewellery for yourself, the metal is one of the first things that you need to
consider. There are many metals to choose from, but which is the best? The truth of the matter is that
there is no best metal, only the best metal for the wearer! Consider a few tips to get you started.

Skip the Nickel and the Copper

Cheap rings, especially ones that have a shiny silver finish, are typically made with nickel. Nickel is
durable and common, and it retains a high polish over time. It sounds ideal, but the truth is that a fair
number of people in the world have a nickel allergy. A nickel allergy will give the wearer a rash, so
skip this metal unless you know the wearer will be immune. Copper has a chance of turning the
wearer’s finger bluish-green because the copper oxidizes. In some cases, this reaction can also
cause an allergy.

Consider Circumstances

Gold rings are very lovely, but they are also quite soft. Depending on the situation, this can be a
benefit or a disadvantage. For example, if someone does a lot of work with their hands, a pure gold
ring may become dented or scratched over time. However, if someone works with a great deal of
machinery and wants to wear a ring (something that is not commonly advised) the ring should be gold
because in the case of an emergency, the ring will simply tear or split without taking the finger with it.

Skin Tone

A person’s skin tone can also affect the way that certain metals look on them. For example, someone
who has a great deal of yellow or orange in their skin tone tends to look very good in warm metals,
like gold or alloyed copper. People who have cooler skin tones, with a lot of pink and blue, tend to
look wonderful in silvers. Choosing the right metal gives the person’s skin a healthy glow. Don’t forget
that preference can play a big part in this; if you have a strong feeling for one jewellery colour or
another, do not let the skin tone play a large role.

Consider Alloys

Alloys are metals that are combined for different effects. For example, sterling silver is a jewellery
metal that is mostly made from copper with a small percentage of another metal for strength. Rose
gold is gold that has been mixed with copper, giving the metal a very pinkish tone. White gold is a
great choice for people who prefer gold but like a silver sheen, and it involves mixing gold with a
metal like nickel or palladium.

When you are thinking about purchasing jewellery, chances are good that you are mostly considering
the stone, the shape or the design. Take a moment to think about the metal as well. Consider how
well it matches the stone, and also how it will look on the wearer!

Rosie writes for Dynamic Metals the stainless steel & titanium supplier. Look to them for high-grade metals. Metals
available include AMS 5629 &
5643 amongst others, visit DynamicMetalsLtd.co.uk for more information.

Monday, 13 August 2012

Which Materials Are Best For Flat Roofs?


Whether for homes or industrial properties, flat roofs are proving increasingly popular. We looked at a number of materials and design ideas for flat roofs, and any advantages or disadvantages they may give.

Synthetic Membranes

In recent years, environmentally friendly synthetic membranes have grown hugely in popularity when it comes to roofing. As recently as five years ago, these were shied away from as the cost was prohibitive. However, as the environmental benefits of these products has come to light, and demand has risen, the cost has subsequently lowered significantly.

Using a synthetic membrane means you can take full advantage of natural light and, despite being thin, when stretched to high tension these materials can hold a lot of weight, meaning they will hold massive amounts of rain and snowfall. If the sound of rain irritates you, these roofs give an added bonus in that they will dull the sound, making you almost oblivious to the fact that it is raining at all.

The downside? If there is one, it is perhaps that you will need to wait for a specialist engineer to repair any leaks, as unlike other materials it isn’t easy to do yourself.

Gravel

When it comes to flat roofs, gravel is still the most common and well-known material to use. The difficulty with gravel and asphalt, however, is that if you are looking for a very strong and high quality roof, you will pay a lot more for strengthening the general structure of a building.

Gravel roofs are relatively straightforward to produce, however, and as they are so common the price is usually the cheapest among the various services builders can offer. They are also suitable for any type of building, whether residential or industrial.

The biggest issue with gravel roofs is that damage to the structure can be difficult to detect, and this is particularly a problem when it comes to leaks. Due to the many layers of asphalt and gravel required to construct a roof, you can often find that, while you may have a leak at one point inside, the starting point could be metres away when looking externally. If you can locate the problem yourself, however, it is relatively straightforward to repair.

Metal

Metal is a popular option for flat roofs, however it is best avoided if you can help it. Metal definitely has its advantages, in that is relatively light and long lasting, so you will not need to worry about roof maintenance, strengthening and repairs within the usual 5–10 year timeframe. A flat metal roof can cause a problem when the weather is nasty, however, especially if there is little wind meaning you end up with significant snowfall, for example, atop your roof.

Although metal is known for being strong, heavy snowfall or even rain can still cause issues for a flat metal roof.

Harworth Estates are one of the largest landowners in the UK. They provide residential and commercial properties, industrial units to let, office space, development land.

Friday, 10 August 2012

Ways to repair concrete stains


Take help from the professionals if you want to get rid of the concrete
stains.

Floors made from concrete are considered to be hardy and durable since they can
bear all kind of harshness on it. This is the main reason why most of the home
owners choose concrete flooring for the interiors, garage, and the driveway while
constructing a house.

But just like all other things in life, the concrete flooring also has a life span and it
might lose its sheen and lustre after a few years of daily usage. The reason for losing
the shine is mainly blamed on the concrete stain which is a common problem faced
by all home owners who are proud to have concrete flooring on their homes.

You as a home owner must take extremely good care for the floors of your home if
you want them to be free of concrete stains. To keep the floors shining and clean,
you have to maintain and care for them on a regular basis. But many a times, so
happen that even though lots of care has been taken, there are scars on the floor
courtesy concrete stains. This is inevitable, but the only thing that you can do is keep
the floors clean regularly.

Apart from doing the cleaning job of the floor on a regular basis, it is recommended
that you hire professional cleaners to clean the stains once in a while so that the
quality and the shine of the floor are retained.

If you are a resident of the Oklahoma City, you need not bother about the
professional floor cleaners. The companies that deal with the concrete stain Oklahoma City are such professionals that they are extremely knowledgeable and
know their job well. However calling for the professionals would help you in gathering
knowledge about certain maintenance ideas that you can put to use during your
regular cleaning. That will help you in keeping most of the stains away from the
concrete for a long time.

Some of the concrete stains tend to be stubborn and for them, you would need
professional expertise. Only a professional cleaner would have the necessary
equipment and chemicals to deal with these stubborn stains.

For daily cleaning though, here are some important tips that you can put to use:

To clean the stains on concrete, use materials like dry cement and saw dust.
Leave some dry cement or saw dust on the stains overnight and rub it off the
next day. For stains that are stubborn, you must put more pressure to clean
them off. Soda and bleaching powder are also two other materials that are
effective on the stains.

Apart from the above mentioned materials, you can also put to use some
chemicals and solutions that are equally effective. But that would need
professional help since only he will be able to suggest the kind of chemicals
that can be used on the stains. Always buy the best quality chemicals so
that they do not affect the flooring otherwise and works only on the concrete
stains.