Table of Contents
What do steam engines need to run?
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. The steam engine uses the force produced by steam pressure to push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This pushing force can be transformed, by a connecting rod and flywheel, into rotational force for work.
Does a steam engine need electricity?
An electric-steam locomotive is a steam locomotive that uses electricity to heat the water in the boiler to create steam instead of burning fuel in a firebox. Normally, it would be much more efficient to build and use an electric locomotive.
How often did a steam engine need water?
every 7–10 miles
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.
Do steam engines run out of water?
Generally, as a rule of thumb, water stops happened every 100 miles or so for passenger engines, and fuel stops every 150–200 miles.
Why do steam locomotives puff smoke?
As steam is exhausted from the cylinders and up through the stack, a vacuum is created in the smokebox. This vacuum draws combustion gasses, through the flues, from the firebox.
Why do steam locomotives puff black smoke?
A The color of exhaust you see coming out of a steam locomotive’s smoke stack indicates how efficiently it is burning fuel. Darker or blacker smoke is an indication that small fuel particles (coal, wood, fuel oil, etc.) have made it through the firebox unburned and are therefore wasted.
What did James Watt invent?
Watt steam engine
Watt’s linkagePhotocopierParallel motion
James Watt/Inventions
How efficient are steam engines?
Steam engines and turbines operate on the Rankine cycle which has a maximum Carnot efficiency of 63% for practical engines, with steam turbine power plants able to achieve efficiency in the mid 40% range.
What pressure do steam engines run at?
The essential action of any steam engine, stationary or mobile, is that of steam under pressure (200-300 PSI for most locomotives) entering a cylinder-piston assembly and pushing against the piston as it expands in an effort to reach normal atmospheric pressure.
How far can a steam engine go on a tank of water?
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.
Are steam locomotives more powerful than diesel?
Firstly the diesel engine has an impressively high thermal efficiency – with modern diesel engines achieving 45% efficiency compared to a steam engines 10% giving them to achieve greater distances between refuelling stops.
What is the black smoke from a steam engine?
Darker or blacker smoke is an indication that small fuel particles (coal, wood, fuel oil, etc.) have made it through the firebox unburned and are therefore wasted. Light or nearly invisible exhaust means that the locomotive fuel is mostly burned and transformed into heat, carbon dioxide, water, and trace elements.