| Author |
 Topic  |
|
jatravia
Fireman
Premium Member
|
Posted - 09/05/2006 : 08:40:55 AM
|
Ralph, I am not sure if you caught it or not but there was a good program on the NJ Network, our channel 4, last night (Monday the 4th) about Bethlehem Steel. The program mostly focused on why the plant in Bethlehem (am I spelling that right?) went under which is also the history of foundries in the US. There were many great movies and photos of the plant in operation though. I'd bet they are going to run the 1 hour show again but if not it is on DVD so if you look up the station website it is available. It was on at 9 and I was afraid it was too late to call you.
Joe <><
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 2563 |
 |
|
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
|
|
jatravia
Fireman
Premium Member
|
Posted - 09/05/2006 : 10:28:22 AM
|
Yep, that was the show. I must have missed an hour? I watched from 9 until 10 ... I don't know how I got the remote but it put my wife to sleep. Good show though.
Joe <><
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 2563 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/05/2006 : 11:59:29 AM
|
I missed it! I will check this out. Thanks guys.
|
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
Dutchman
Administrator
Premium Member
|
 Posted - 09/05/2006 : 12:26:44 PM
|
Jere, welcome to the forum ... glad that you decided to come aboard.
Ralph, I think that you were pretty hard on yourself in your 'evaluation'. I agree that this thread will be a great Internet resource for steel mill modelers.
|
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 23277 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/06/2006 : 7:19:14 PM
|
Thank you Bruce. VCR Alert! For those that missed the Beth steel show on public television (like me) they are showing a rebroadcast on Sun Sept 10, at 5 AM on NJN (New Jersey Network). Check local PBS for a schedule in your area!
|
Edited by - LVRALPH on 09/06/2006 7:22:59 PM |
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/09/2006 : 09:22:58 AM
|
I was mentioning on another thread about an article by Jack Work in the May 1960 MR. He talks about becoming a better scratchbuilder, which I desire to become.
One of Jacks observations is to be self critical of your work. I think I am doing that, but not as much as I should, or am blind to things because I am too close.
To quote Jack "Learn to study the results of your work, be honest in the analysis, and admit to yourself to find out why. Have other modelers criticize your model work, and don't be disappointed or offended at their comments or criticism if given constructively. After determining your weak points, endeavor to strenghten them and avoid similar mistakes next time"
I have received a large amount of praise and attaboys so far. Each has been cherished and greatly appreciated. Now I want the other side. I would appreciate your comments on how to better improve my model building going forward before I get into the gas washer. If you are uncomfortable about posting criticism publicly, please do not hesitate to PM me.
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.
|
Edited by - LVRALPH on 09/09/2006 09:30:58 AM |
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
jatravia
Fireman
Premium Member
|
 Posted - 09/09/2006 : 2:18:46 PM
|
quote:
One of Jacks observations is to be self critical of your work. I think I am doing that, but not as much as I should, or am blind to things because I am too close.
I that is a wonderful quote Ralph. Tiffany always thinks I am too hard on myself but she doesn't understand it is because I want to be better that I pick myself apart. I built the little bait and tackle shop for my shelf 3 times now and each time I like it better. Next time it will be perfect. I built three different bridge piers and two bridges before I was happy with that construction. It is part of why my projects take so long. Ultimately though, as skills and ideas increase things get better the first time.
Now, as to your work, I'll be brave ... though my comment is regarding something you've already stated. You need to take more time to get things straight, level and square. On large complexes like the blast furnace I think little "flaws" are more easily hidden; little projects like my bait store ... well that is a different story.
The bottom line for each of us needs to be having fun though. I may build one thing 3 or 4 times but I enjoy the time. I don't let it frustrate me ... or at least I try.
Joe <><
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 2563 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/09/2006 : 3:45:53 PM
|
"Now, as to your work, I'll be brave ... though my comment is regarding something you've already stated. You need to take more time to get things straight, level and square."
Joe, thanks for the input. As you know this was one I saw. I was reflecting on this as to the cause. When I attached the railings I used a square to plumb them up. Yet I still got some errors.
I think what happened is the cement stays very soft after the initial set. As I worked with the platform, I believe I knocked some of them out of line. In the interest of progress, I think my modeling suffered.
The other error I noticed was the top platform was not glued plumb. I think I knocked that one off as I really took great pains to measure and get it level.
|
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/11/2006 : 2:49:50 PM
|
Well, my wife taped the PBS special on Bethlehem Steel. It was on at 5AM Sunday morning. It is a very good show, very sad too. It personalized the tragic loss of jobs in that industry, very similar to the rail industry which floats most of our boats.
The show can be purchased for 29 bucks. If anyone can't tape it and wants the info, I would suggest looking at a PBS site, or I could get it from the end of the tape.
|
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
Iron Maker
New Hire
|
Posted - 09/12/2006 : 01:23:51 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by LVRALPH
[br
Joe, thanks for the input. As you know this was one I saw. I was reflecting on this as to the cause. When I attached the railings I used a square to plumb them up. Yet I still got some errors.
I think what happened is the cement stays very soft after the initial set. As I worked with the platform, I believe I knocked some of them out of line. In the interest of progress, I think my modeling suffered.
The other error I noticed was the top platform was not glued plumb. I think I knocked that one off as I really took great pains to measure and get it level.
LVRalph,
As I mentioned in a slightly earlier thread, having all parts on a model in plumb is all well and good. But you must remember that anything straight and pretty on a Blast Furnace or any piece of equipment in a plant environment isn't going to remain that way for long. Its actually more normal to see stantions bent, rusted and beat up than it is to see it perfectly straight. Its the nature of the beast.
In the plant environment, the focus is on keeping it working rather than beautiful. As long as its still safe and functional, thats what counts.
Of course, this is your art so any critiques that you may levy on yourself are fine and natural. And I can sure well understand the idea of making it perfect the first time out. I certainly put care and workmanship into my projects that I do at home and work. I just don't let it surprise me when the nice work I do is rather dirty and used looking as it ages in the plant.
Incidentally, the structure that you are currently working on is actually just one component of the Gas Washer system in a Blast Furnace. This one is actually representative of the Dust Catcher which is located directly downstream of the Blast Furnace and acts as the first component of the Gas Washing system.
Its function is just as its name implies. It catches the heavier of the suspended particals of dust in the Blast Furnace Gas coming out of the Blast Furnace.
The bottom cone shaped area is the collector, and usually has an attached Bag House or a Chute and valves that are utilized to "Blow Down" the Dust Catcher, and remove the dust for recycling.
Downstream of the Dust Catcher is a tower structure that does further cleaning of the gas to remove the rest of the particulates by sending it through water sprays and demisters. The design of the towers differ, but they function the same way. The Blast Furnace Gas exits the Gas Washer and then is directed to the Common Gas Main and the Stoves for use as fuel as it is mostly comprised of Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide.
To add to the complexity, the wash water from the Gas Washer goes through a series of tanks, weir boxes, and the Waste Water Treatment Plant to recycle it for reuse in the Blast Furnace Area.
Notice how big a project that this can grow to be?  . Nice part of just modeling an area. You can work within a scope of your own choosing.
Work is heavy for me right now, and my internet time is limited, but I will try to find a diagram of the Gas Washer system to post here to give some more information. And maybe a picture or two of the Wash Tower.
I hope I didn't scare you off the project.  . Take care.
Jere
|
Edited by - Iron Maker on 09/12/2006 01:25:03 AM |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 3 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/12/2006 : 07:08:38 AM
|
Jere, no you did not. Actually got me a little fired up. I would be very interested in the water treatment info. I have no pics or plans of anything like that. The only info I have is modeling a Dorr thickener in Dean's book. Anthracite mines used them too. That could be some very interesting stuff. The precipitator is the third of three components I am going to model as did Jeff Borne. The dustcatcher is first, the gas washer second, the precipitator third. Thats the way the Walthers kit produced them. Since, I am detailing that right now, thats were I am going.
I will try to weather the stanchions that are knocked over to simulate wear and damage. That is all I can do for now. But it was not my intention for them to be that way, so I had to think what caused it. Speed here was my enemy, or lack of review.
I now what you mean by work. I am slow right now. But when Oct 1 hits, If something happens with one of our clients, I could find myself in a perfect storm at work. I may end up putting 60 hours a week in from Oct to Dec 15. This is my prime modeling time as the weather gets yukky, yard chores deminish and I have extra modeling time. Maybe not.
Are you familiar with a pug mill? Do you have one at your plant?
Please keep up the great contributions.
|
Edited by - LVRALPH on 09/12/2006 07:16:14 AM |
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
Dutchman
Administrator
Premium Member
|
Posted - 09/12/2006 : 07:17:53 AM
|
Ralph,
Re: keeping everything plumb, etc. You are already taking the time to square things up initially, now you have to have the patience to let the glue dry completely on each piece before moving on. That's not easy when you have a nice stack of stanchions and railings, and glue in hand.
|
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 23277 |
|
|
|
LVRALPH
Fireman
|
Posted - 09/12/2006 : 12:37:24 PM
|
Jere. What is a weir boxe?
|
|
Country:
| Posts: 5431 |
|
|
|
Iron Maker
New Hire
|
Posted - 09/12/2006 : 5:35:45 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by LVRALPH
Jere. What is a weir boxe?
I wasn't able to get my notes for the Gas Washer system today. Too many other issues going on at work.
A weir box in our application is essentially a container that is used to help seperate solids from the water that is intruduced into it at a controlled rate.
Its partitioned so that water introduced at one end spills over a partition at a controlled rate to move onto the next part of the process. In this case the water is allowed to linger in the box long enough so that some of the solids that are present can be seperated and drift to the bottom before the water exits the box.
The picture below is a small representative of a weir box, and I put it up so that you can have something to visualize with. In the case of a Waste Water system at work, the weir boxes will hold a couple hundred gallons of water.
Jere
|
Edited by - Iron Maker on 09/12/2006 5:37:36 PM |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 3 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Railroad Line Forums |
© 2000-13 Railroad Line Co. |
|
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Sponsors
Guestbook
FAQ
