BOILER FIXTURES AND BELONGINGS.
A boiler is not complete without certain fixtures. There must be a feed-pump or injector, with a supply-pipe, feed-valve, safety feed-valve, and check-valve, in order to supply water properly to the boiler; gauge-cocks, a glass water-gauge, a blow-pipe, with its valve, to reduce the height of the water in the boiler, or to empty it entirely; a safety-valve to allow the steam to escape from the boiler when it exceeds a fixed pressure; a scumming apparatus to remove the foreign matters from the water as much as possible; a steam-pipe to convey the steam to the place where it is wanted; man-holes and hand-holes, with their covers and guards, for examination and cleaning; a non-corrosive steam-gauge, to accurately indicate at all times the amount of pressure in the boiler; and a fusible plug to give warning in case of “low water.”
Thus we see that in speaking of a boiler, not only the boiler proper is meant, but also the whole of its fixtures and belongings, of which the following is only a partial list:
- Feed Pump,
- Injector or Inspirator,
- Check Valve,
- Gauge Cocks,
- Glass Water Gauge,
- Try Cocks,
- Blow-out Apparatus,
- Blow-off Valve,
- Safety Valve,
- Scum Apparatus,
- Steam Gauge,
- Fusible Plug,
- Surface Blow Cocks,
- Grate Bars,
- Baffle or Shield Plates,
- Mud Drum,
- Feed Water Heaters,
- Boiler Fronts,
- Dead Plate,
- Steam Pressure Recording
- Gauge,
- Drain Cock for Steam Gauge,
- Steam Trap,
- Steam Whistle.
All these are attachments to the boiler proper, having direct reference to its internal functions; but in addition there are the lugs, pedestals, or brackets which support the boiler; the masonry in which it is set, with its binders, rods, and wall-plates; the boiler front, with its doors, anchor-bolts, etc.; the arch-plates, bearer-bars, grate-bars, and dampers, and last, but not least, the chimney. These are all equally necessary to enable the boiler to perform its duty properly. And besides, there are required fire-tools, flue brushes and scrapers, and scaling tools, with hose also, to wash out the boiler, to say nothing of hammers, chisels, wrenches, etc.
The fittings and attachments of the marine boiler are similar to those belonging to the land steam generators, and vary only in accommodating themselves to their peculiar surroundings.
The proper operation of the boiler as to efficiency and economy is largely dependent upon the number, appropriate proportion and harmony of action of its numerous attachments, and the utmost care and skill are requisite for designing and attaching them.
It must not be supposed that a complete list and description of all steam boiler attachments are here presented—that were a task beyond the limits of the entire volume.