View of Marsh Steam Pump, Showing Water Valves,
Steam Valves, Suction Chamber and Piston.
DIRECTIONS FOR SETTING UP
AND RUNNING.
Before connecting the steam pipes, blow out with steam pressure the chips and dirt in the steam pipes. Always use the union furnished with the pump. It has a gauze gasket in it to catch the dirt that may get into the valve. Before starting pump, open air cock in delivery pipe and turn exhaust lever back, away from the air chamber. Then open throttle valve wide and allow pump to exhaust into the air until it takes suction, when deflecting lever may be thrown forward toward air chamber and cold water in the pump will condense the exhaust and return it to the boiler.
If pump refuses to work, the difficulty is to be looked for in the valve chest. Do not take off the chest. The valve may be taken out and cleaned but never filed. The valve must be returned through same end as taken from. Before closing, be sure that the head is screwed tight on the valve, using the socket wrench furnished.
When the pump is stopped, pull the exhaust lever back, so the condensed steam from leak of throttle valve will not go into the pump. It is safer also in cold weather to take off head of water end. Slight but constant lubrication adds much to the regular working of the pump. Be sure there are no leaks in the suction pipe, and when water is raised more than 10 feet, a foot valve should be put in. Compress the packings on piston rod as little as possible and yet prevent the escape of steam. Before leaving the pump in cold weather, break the suction and allow it to run empty for a minute with all the cocks open, then be sure the throttle valve is closed tight. When necessary, pack the joints under the steam chest, side plate and air chamber with manilla paper or thin rubber.
HEATER.
The Heater is used on an engine in connection with a boiler for heating the feed water before it enters the boiler under steam pressure. It is usually constructed of a shell of cast or boiler iron into which live or exhaust steam is admitted. This shell usually contains a series of pipes or a coil of pipe, through which the feed water is forced by the pump, the water thereby being heated to a high temperature before entering the boiler.