EFFORTS OF MASTER MECHANICS TO SECURE GOOD WATER.
The paramount importance of the quality of water used in locomotive boilers, has been long recognized by nearly all master mechanics; for the effect of bad water is brought to their attention in an unmistakable manner. The subject has been frequently before the Master Mechanics’ Association for investigation. A report of a committee appointed at an early meeting to investigate the subject, declares that “Master mechanics have had the conviction forced home, that impure water is the bane of good boilers;” and, even then, a vigorous effort was being made to eliminate the injurious ingredients from the water; and the work was carried on in a hopeful and confident spirit, which was indicated by the words of a subsequent report, which asserted that “Different waters differ widely in the component parts of the impurities they contain, and each requires separate study and treatment;” but the committee were satisfied that the engineering and mechanical skill of railway men could readily devise a suitable appliance for each particular case. In those days, railroad men thought that they could, by mechanical and chemical means, purify bad water, and render it suitable for boiler use. Purifying bad water proved about as difficult an undertaking as reforming the average bad man is recognized to be; and few railroad men can now be found who believe a purifying process can be successfully performed on the large quantity of water needed for locomotive boiler feeding.
LOSS OF FAITH IN PURIFYING METHODS.
The conclusion that artificial methods of purifying bad water can not be carried out in railroad water supply, was not arrived at hastily. It was reached by slow degrees, and through the convincing ordeal of many disappointments, with methods and nostrums that promised to effect the desired results.
Experience demonstrated, that, in the limestone regions, the proper and only way to avoid trouble from lime incrustation in locomotive boilers, is to obtain soft water from streams, or by collecting the rainfall in ponds or reservoirs.
SCALE-MAKING AGENCIES.
Water, as has been mentioned, is the most universal solvent in nature; and what is known as hard water contains many foreign ingredients, but those that exercise such a pernicious influence upon locomotive boilers are lime and magnesia. The scale-making lime appears in two forms,—sulphate of lime, and carbonate of lime. The former is the more dangerous and troublesome scale-making agent; the latter is most frequently met with.
Ordinary well-water will be found to contain solid matter in solution varying from 10 to 100 grains to the gallon. Under 20 grains to the gallon of impurities may be considered fair water if the principal ingredient is carbonate of lime, but that amount of sulphate will make highly objectionable boiler water. Where the use of well-water is unavoidable on a road, quite a saving to boilers can be effected by ascertaining the quantity and character of the impurities received from each water-tank, and directing the engineers to avoid those that contain the worst scale formers.