Table of Contents
Do steam engines recycle water?
Instead of returning the condensate water to the boiler, the hot compressed condensate is passed through a heat exchanger to return heat to the boiler, then released as clean drinking water. It is one of the most efficient processes used to desalinate water.
How often did steam locomotives stop for water?
During the very early days of steam locomotives, water stops were necessary every 7–10 miles (11-16 km) and consumed much travel time. With the introduction of tenders (a special car containing water and fuel), trains could run 100–150 miles (160–240 km) without a refill.
Where do steam locomotives get water?
Coal is carried in the tender of the locomotive and is hand-shoveled by the fireman into the firebox. Water is carried in the tender in a tank surrounding the coal. The water passes to the locomotive through a device called an injector.
How does water get from the tender to the boiler in a steam locomotive?
On locomotives which are not equipped with mechanical stokers the fireman shovels the coal from the tender into the firebox. He also watches the water gauge. If it indicates that the engine needs more water, he turns the valve that transfers water from the tender tank into the engine’s boiler.
What is the most efficient steam engine?
Portraits of Modern Steam The four-cylinder “Argentina” is the most efficient steam locomotive ever built.
Who invented the first steam engine railway?
George Stephenson
Richard Trevithick
Steam locomotive/Inventors
How did railroad water tanks work?
The water was pumped from the well up into the tower through the 6-inch pipe; and the 12-inch pipe, which has a valve, was used to fill the steam engine boilers. This pipe went to an overhead supply system next to the track which swung over the train when filling. Windmills were also used.
How much water did a steam locomotive use?
Water is the most significant limitation with most locomotives hauling loaded trains at express speeds being limited to about 100 miles (160 km) between fillings of the tender. For the A1 class an average of 40-45 gallons (113-137 litres) per mile is to be expected.
Who invented steam engine?
Thomas Savery
Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of WorcesterEdward HuberAlexander Bonner LattaSamuel Morey
Steam engine/Inventors
In 1698 Thomas Savery patented a pump with hand-operated valves to raise water from mines by suction produced by condensing steam. In about 1712 another Englishman, Thomas Newcomen, developed a more efficient steam engine with a piston separating the condensing steam from the water.
Why did locomotives have a low thermal efficiency?
Locomotives, in comparison, had a low thermal efficiency. They used a vast amount of energy to build up steam pressure, which had to be discarded whenever the locomotive stopped or shut down.
What are the advantages of diesel locomotives over steam engines?
They were more fuel-efficient; they didn’t require frequent stops to replenish coal and water. Instead of generating steam in an enormous boiler, the diesel burned oil to power a generator that, in turn, powered electric motors on the wheels. Locomotives, in comparison, had a low thermal efficiency.
Did steam locomotives eat too much potential energy?
“They ate too much for what they did,” Garrett wrote. “Only about one-twentieth, or 5 per cent, of the potential energy in what a steam locomotive devours is delivered to the wheels in the form of effective driving power.” In contrast, a gasoline engine could deliver more than 25 percent of its potential energy to the wheels.
Do steam locomotives have gears/cogs?
Steam locomotives use steam pistons, not steam turbines. Gears/cogs would be pointless since there is no rotary source of power on steam locomotives. They use steam pistons, which go back and forth. As the physics worked out, direct-drive worked out really well with achievable values of piston diameter, stroke/eccentric, and wheel size.