Spark arrester

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GWR class 1600 steam locomotive with spark arrester in Gloucester , England

A spark arrester or spark screen is a cylindrical component made of wire mesh of a defined mesh size in the smoke chamber of a steam locomotive . It is installed between the blowpipe and the chimney .

The purpose of the spark arrester is to prevent flying sparks in solid-fuel steam locomotives. By the induced draft, burning coal particles are detached from the grate and carried away into the smoke chamber.

So that no large sparks (which would represent a major fire hazard) can be thrown out of the chimney, the chimney mouth is closed off from the rest of the smoke chamber by the spark arrester. This should either hold back larger sparks (so that they fall into the smoke chamber floor) or be smashed when they hit the spark arrester so that only small, quickly extinguishing particles can get outside.

View into the smoke chamber of a model steam locomotive: the spark arrester can be seen in the center

The spark arrester can perform slight pendulum movements around the blowpipe head; by the vibrations while driving, it cleans itself again and again.

Other technologies for preventing flying sparks are attachments on the chimney, e.g. B. the Kobel or conical chimney constructions. With these constructions, a more effective prevention of flying sparks can often be achieved through tighter meshes. These devices were therefore often found on forest railways , as there was an increased risk of flying sparks due to the often used fuel wood, which could lead to forest fires in the vicinity of the railroad .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Structure and technology of the steam locomotive. Retrieved March 30, 2020 . 
2. ↑ The smoke chamber. Retrieved March 30, 2020 .