A. Because a cubic foot of steam, at atmospheric pressure, shrinks into about a cubic inch of water.
Q. What do you understand by the term horse power?
A. A horse power is equivalent to raising 33,000 pounds one foot per minute, or 550 pounds raised one foot per second.
Q. How do you calculate the horse power of tubular or flue boilers?
A. For tubular boilers, multiply the square of the diameter by length, and divide by four. For flue boilers, multiply the diameter by the length and divide by four; or, multiply area of grate surface in square feet by 1½.
Q. What do you understand by lead on an engine’s valve?
A. Lead on a valve is the admission of steam into the cylinder before the piston completes its stroke.
Q. What is the clearance of an engine as the term is applied at the present time?
A. Clearance is the space between the cylinder head and the piston head with the ports included.
Q. What are considered the greatest improvements on the stationary engine in the last forty years?