Fig. 564.
Note.—For emptying vats or tanks and for distributing the liquors from one tank to another or throughout the building, the pulsometer arranged as per accompanying ills., Fig. [564], will be found to be of great usefulness. At convenient intervals along the steam main and discharge main, suitable couplings can be provided for quickly attaching a short section of steam and discharge hose, as the pump, suspended from a trolley, is moved along from tank to tank.
In pumping muddy water or other liquids containing matter which would obstruct the valve seat shown in Fig. [560] the ball valve, Fig. [561], is used. The engraving illustrates this valve with its guard and seat. Fig. [562] represents the neck-piece containing the ball steam valve, while Fig. [563] conveys the idea of the manner of covering the ball by the cap after which the neck-piece is ready to be bolted to the top of pump.
The Maslin automatic steam vacuum pump is presented in Fig. [554], page 271. Its principle is identical with that of the pulsometer but it differs somewhat in detail, as for example, the three valves with their seats, H, H, H, are introduced through one opening or hand-hole. The two suction valves, E, E, are secured by one bolt, I, likewise the two discharge valves, K. The combination of the foot valve, G, in the pump requires no bolting on being held by the bolt, I.
The plain cover is of such a shape that no nuts are removed to afford access to the valves; all that is necessary is to slack up one nut and swing the cover to one side.
The valves are of very thick rubber but are cut away near the center so that they readily yield to the pressure underneath, giving a full area of opening. The two air valves are attached at the end of the neck-piece.
There are no projecting set screws or bolts running through the main body of this pump attended as they often are with more or less leakage. A hook is provided to suspend the pump in a shaft or over sewer work. The two drip cocks at the bottom drain the chambers when necessary to prevent freezing, etc.
Note.—“One of the most important points to be attended to, and which is so often overlooked, is that dry steam should be supplied to the pulsometer. Take steam from the highest part of the boiler. Do not connect steam pipe to a pipe furnishing steam for any other purpose; but if you have to take steam from a large steam pipe, tap it on the upper side so as to avoid the drip caused by condensation in the large pipe. When the boiler is some distance from the pulsometer the steam pipe to it should be larger than is needed at the pulsometer, and be protected by some non-conducting substance. Reduce to size required at the pulsometer and provide a pet cock to draw off condensed steam before starting it. Be sure and blow out steam pipe thoroughly before connecting the pulsometer so as to remove any dirt, rust or scale that may have accumulated in pipes, also remove all burrs on ends of the pipe caused by cutting, and which in most cases greatly decreases their capacity and effectiveness.”
The illustration, Fig. [565], represents the pulsometer and boiler in portable form. This will be found a very convenient outfit for certain classes of irrigation, and for pumping out flooded cellars, excavations, etc. Also for sewer-trench excavating operations, where water accumulates at different sections of the work, and where it is desired to move the pump and boiler frequently.