Steam as an Airship Lifting Gas

Now this is interesting!

This site deals with the pros and cons of using steam as the lifting gas for lighter than air vehicles.

The Flying Kettle: Steam Balloons and Steam Airships

There have not been any recent updates since 2003 but it is a fun site to explore the idea of simply using steam as the lifting gas.

This page here is a general discussion of the details of using steam for generating lift.
STEAM BALLOONS AND STEAM AIRSHIPS

I can already feel the ideas beginning to bubble :-)


"Soon shall thy arm, unconquer'd steam! afar
Drag the slow barge or drive the rapid car;
Or on wide waving wings expanded bear
The flying chariot through the fields of air.
Fair crews triumphant, leaning from above,
Shall wave their fluttering kerchiefs as they move;
Or warrior bands alarm the gaping crowd,
And armies shrink beneath the shadowy cloud."
--Dr. Erasmus Darwin,1731-1802

Keep your sightglass full, your firebox trimmed and your water iced.
KJ