OLIVER EVANS.GEORGE STEPHENSON.ROBERT FULTON.
INTRODUCTION.
Each successive generation of engineers has added certain unwritten experiences to the general stock of knowledge relating to steam production, which have been communicated to their successors, and by them added to, in their turn; it is within the province of this book to put in form for reference, these unwritten laws of conduct, which have passed into Maxims among engineers and firemen—a maxim being an undisputed truth, expressed in the shortest terms.
Soliloquy of an Engineer. “Standing in the boiler room and looking around me, there are many things I ought to know a good deal about. Coal! What is its quality? How much is used in ten hours or twenty-four hours? Is the grate under the boiler the best for an economical consumption of fuel? Can I, by a change in method of firing, save any coal? The safety-valve. Do I know at what pressure it will blow off? Can I calculate the safety-valve so as to be certain the weight is placed right? Do I know how to calculate the area of the grate, the heating surface of the tubes and shell? Do I know the construction of the steam-gauge and vacuum-gauge? Am I certain the steam-gauge is indicating correctly, neither over nor under the pressure of the steam? What do I know about the setting of boilers? About the size and quality of fire bricks? About the combination of carbon and hydrogen of the fuel with the oxygen of the atmosphere? About oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen? About the laws of combustion? About radiation and heat surfaces?
“Do I know what are good non-conductors for covering of pipes, and why they are good? Do I know how many gallons of water are in the boiler?
“What do I know about water and steam? How many gallons of water are evaporated in twenty-four hours? What do I know about iron and steel, boiler evaporation, horse power of engines, boiler appendages and fittings.
“Can I calculate the area and capacity of the engine cylinder? Can I take an indicator diagram and read it? Can I set the eccentric? Can I set valves? Do I understand the construction of the thermometer, and know something about the pressure of the atmosphere, temperature and the best means for ventilation? Can I use a pyrometer and a salinometer?
“Without going outside of my boiler and engine room I find these things are all about me—air, water, steam, heat, gases, motion, speed, strokes and revolutions, areas and capacities—how much do I know about these?
“How much can be learned from one lump of coal? What was it, where did it come from? When it is burned, what gases will it give off?