Steam, Its Generation and Use

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22657

Title

Steam, Its Generation and Use

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A comprehensive technical guide to steam generation, detailing the history of steam engines, boiler evolution, fuel combustion, and operational efficiency. This authoritative text serves engineers and operators seeking mastery over steam systems, emphasizing safety, design, and practical application.

Summary up to 500 words

Steam, Its Generation and Use, a comprehensive technical guide by the Babcock & Wilcox Company, offers an exhaustive overview of steam technology, tracing its evolution from ancient applications to the industrial revolution's advanced water-tube boilers. The text begins by exploring the early history of steam, detailing Hero's engine and the contributions of inventors like Papin and Newcomen, before focusing on the thermodynamics of steam making and the properties of water and fuels. It provides in-depth mechanics of combustion for coal, oil, and gas, including methods for determining heating values and analyzing flue gases. A significant portion is dedicated to the Babcock & Wilcox boiler design, highlighting its inherent advantages in safety and efficiency, such as the absence of stayed surfaces and robust construction. The work extensively covers fuel analysis, burner types—including steam, air, and mechanical atomizers—and furnace design, emphasizing the importance of proper flame direction to prevent tube damage. It also addresses critical operational aspects like feed water treatment to prevent scale and corrosion, boiler room maintenance, and the selection of appropriate equipment for specific loads. Furthermore, the text details methods for utilizing waste heat and optimizing boiler efficiency. Through a blend of historical context and precise technical specifications, the book establishes a foundational understanding of steam generation and use in industrial settings, serving as an essential reference for engineers and operators managing complex boiler systems.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22657.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22657.epub

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Categories

• Science
• Engineering