Interesting photo

I've found a picture of a triple compound steam engine and an early three cylinder marine engine. Very informative as they are quoted as having the same output.

Have a look at

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Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Reply to
J K Siddorn
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250 hp..
Reply to
Tom

Knew I had something on them: Made by Yarrow of Poplar, the large one was built for the East London Water Works, triple expansion,

20, 32 & 53 inch cylinders with a 42 inch stroke, 16 rpm @ 150 psi, 80 ton.

Small engine was for torpedo boat: triple expansion, 8, 12 & 17 inch cylinders with 9 inch stroke, 550 rpm @ 250 psi., 2 ton.

Both rated at 250 hp. Power, 1903

Tom

Reply to
Tom

The book "Machine Drawing" by Lowe has a full set of working drawing at the back for a triple expansion engine. Done as a drawing exercise for students but could be built or scaled as a model to any size. Plenty of S/H copies around.

-- Regards,

John Stevenson Nottingham, England.

Reply to
John Stevenson

I took the picture from The Book of Modern Engines and Power Generators, volume four. The preface said this:-

this Volume deals principally with the Reciprocating Steam Engine and its many- accessories. This prime mover is by far the most important engine at present, but there are unmistakable signs that it has reached a point in its progress beyond which improvement is impossible. The adoption of superheating in order to increase the economy of fuel is the last step, beyond which it is difficult to see in what other direction further improvements on reciprocating engines may come from. The steam turbine has already proved a superior prime mover in marine propulsion for the higher classes of high-speed vessels and also in electrical generating plants and by means of gearing, the turbine advances further still into the domain of reciprocating engines. The gas-blowing engines have displaced the reciprocating steam engine at the great iron works here and abroad, and the gas engine- with the gas producer is more and more taking the place of steam engines on land. The small factory with its tall chimney and boiler and engine is already out of date, such factories being established now would be driven by oil or gas engines, or by an electric motor on the public electricity supply. Nevertheless there is, and will be for long, a demand for large reciprocating steam engines.

It will take many years to bring turbines and gas engines into universal application, so that the study of reciprocating steam engines, and their modern development is still of great interest and value. Thanks are due to the many engineers who have supplied information and drawings of the details of their inventions.

RANKIN KENNEDY.

glasgow.

Although the work is undated - as they often are, I think Mr Kennedy's assessment would have been an entirely accurate assessment of the future if there had not been a cataclysmic war inside a decade.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Reply to
J K Siddorn

In the original edition of Rankin Kennedy the title was: "Modern Engines & Power Generators", the preface you refer to in that edition is dated November 23, 1904. It has the same picture as the frontispiece. However the same picture with the details, was in the December 1903 issue of "Power" Magazine..

Tom

Reply to
Tom

Cheers,Ron.

Reply to
Lars Ericson

By strange coincidence, yesterday volume 9 of "Stationary Steam Engines" arrived in the mail, I was just flipping through the photos, and it looks very much like the larger engine discussed above is featured on the glossy rear cover of the book, and on page 88.

At least all the facts fit, except it was photographed by George Watkins in 1954 at Wanstead Pumping Station. SER 660

Here is what it says - "Yarrow & Co., Poplar, 1903 Cylinders 20in, 32in and 53in x 3ft 6in stroke, Corliss valves.

"This was completely different from any thing in Yarrow's usual practice, which was lightweight steamboats and high speed marine engines and boilers. Being so completely in contrast to stock work, the contract could have brought little profit, but was possibly given to provide work at the Thames yard which was then being transferred to the Clyde. As a pumping station, it was indifferent as the estimated water supply could not be secured, and the engine could only run part time, or unloaded."

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Reply to
Peter Short

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