I was at a gas station today and spotted this glass "pipe" often associated with recreational "medical" products....the first thought that came to my head was...Meths Burner!!
Now, before you laugh, what gave me the idea is one of my best performing alcohol lamps is a tiny unit that came with one of my china Stirling engines.
It looks very like a miniature version of an alcohol lamp used in science class in school, the only difference is the vertical tube that holds the wick is made from a glass tube rather than metal. I think this works well as glass does not seem to conduct heat nearly as fast.
I don't know that it is practical, (due to breakage) but it occurred to me that a glass blower could build very nice meths burners for steam engine models.
Disclaimer: Don't try this at home! If the "corks" came out inside your firebox...your entire model engine would be in a ball of Very hot 🔥
Also any meths burner should be vented, I am getting away without a vent as the wick fits loosely...however the product in photo is "unsafe at any speed" in its current form and intended for conversation purpose only. You Have Been Warned.
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I feel a more practical design would look similar to a "Mamod" style burner...with perhaps (only) the vertical wick holder tube made from glass, getting the joint from the glass to metal to (not leak) in this design may prove difficult.
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It works!
It will only run the Mamod at a low idle, but if I build one from brass tube and solder, I can optimize the height of the wick tube for better performance.
I am working on a design in my head that would allow adjustable flame height for a bit of throttle control(hopefully)
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