Reply to: Science quiz

[lightng]

I've been thinking about this for a few months, because I was a bit suprised to learn what an unknown nugget of information it is.
My son in law who is of an engineering frame of mind, didnt know it. maybe gricerboy does

the question is this

how does a steam engine work?

Steam engines are bad as they use the soon to be banned substance dihydrogen monoxide in great quantities. You of all people should know this EO.

[gricerboy]

maybe gricerboy does

While I do know how a steam engine converts the energy released from burning coal into locomotive power, I have to confess to not being a big kettlehead.

Get me on the mechanics of diesel hydraulic locomotion (which powered the mighty westerns, hymeks and warships that used to grace the western region from the 1950s to the 1970s) and I'm anyone's.

[TykeMerc]

Condensing engines relied on atmospheric pressure and had horrible (in later steam terms) efficiencies, admittedly in the days of low pressure steam the ability to make good tolerance cylinders, pistons and valves was limited. Sub 10% efficiencies is normal for these engines and the whole engine has to be massive.
Steam engines got really effective with double and triple expansion engines that recycled the waste steam from first to second then second to third cylinders, plus of course the engineering and materials had developed a lot. 30-50+% efficiency isn't uncommon for triple expansion.

There are loads of working static engines in museums around the country plus the railway and traction engines of course, interesting to look at if you like engineering.

[xoggoth]

As a qualified chemical engineer I shall now embark on a proper explanation of the complex thermodynamics processe involved. No wait, I've forgotten it all. Maybe HyperD is a bit younger.

[shaunbhoy]

Since steam engines have been phased out there are no more dragons. I would loved to have seen a real one. Shame.

Come over our place at Christmas. My father-in-law is bringing his.

[MarillionFan]

Production may have peaked then but coal hasn't run out which was your original comment.

Speak for yourself. I haven't got any, been having to use wood.

[SupremeSpod]

UK coal production peaked almost 100 years ago. Do keep up.

Production may have peaked then but coal hasn't run out which was your original comment.

[TimberWolf]

Bollocks.

UK coal production peaked almost 100 years ago. Do keep up.

[SupremeSpod]

And don't forget the dragons. I remember seeing a Welsh documentary about a train driver called Ivor. He used to have a dragon live in the boiler of his steam engine.

Since steam engines have been phased out there are no more dragons. I would loved to have seen a real one. Shame.

She was called Idris.

[MarillionFan]

Steam engines were invented to solve the problem of getting water out of coal mines so that more coal could be mined to feed the steam engines. Pretty soon, all the coal was gone.

And don't forget the dragons. I remember seeing a Welsh documentary about a train driver called Ivor. He used to have a dragon live in the boiler of his steam engine.

Since steam engines have been phased out there are no more dragons. I would loved to have seen a real one. Shame.

[SupremeSpod]

Steam engines were invented to solve the problem of getting water out of coal mines so that more coal could be mined to feed the steam engines. Pretty soon, all the coal was gone.

Bollocks.

[TimberWolf]

Steam engines were invented to solve the problem of getting water out of coal mines so that more coal could be mined to feed the steam engines. Pretty soon, all the coal was gone.

[SupremeSpod]

spod and zeity have it.

its called a seperate condensing engine.

it doesnt rely on steam pressure to force a piston. It lets low pressure steam into a container, then sprinkles cold water on it. the steam condenses and creates a vacuum, whuch is then used to draw a piston down.


Watt watt

Larst week Oi cudden spell Hengineer, now I are one!

[EternalOptimist]

I find the Watt's Linkage particularly fascinating.

Every time I see one of those enormous old beam engines, typically used to pump water, I have to watch it in slow motion just to appreciate the majesty of the thing.

they have some good stuff at Wigan Pier

[EternalOptimist]

spod and zeity have it.

its called a seperate condensing engine.

it doesnt rely on steam pressure to force a piston. It lets low pressure steam into a container, then sprinkles cold water on it. the steam condenses and creates a vacuum, whuch is then used to draw a piston down.


Watt watt