New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-04
Explosions In steam Engines and the Means OF
Prevention.


| To he Editor Of The 7ribsnes
Since the last Christmas two hundred citizens
have persisted by explosions, a most lamentable
proof of the failure Of all the methods of proven
ton hitherto adopted; and as without exception
they have been based on the assumption that the
conditions under which explosions occur Uhoy limit
ed TO the boilers, II Is just to conclude that the failure
Of these methods is necessary consequence Of that lin
itAtion.
At the same time the effects produced By the Steam Er-
CINE are so great and readily increased almost without
limit that the constant Of phenomena incom-
pstble with Incorporates Of elastic steam has not pre-
duced the conviction that The construction Of The engie IS
one Of the primary easses Of Explosive action.
well known both from observation and long
tinued ana varied experiments that in every possible
the production fseam is the work of considerable
time while explosions instantaneous. In every known
case between its regular and esusbe working aud the
exer.on of irresistible force the hssoke OF the engine
has alone interviewed.
Several years ago q cyndrical-en engine boiler in Nc.
Queens foundry, in this City, was rent ssunder, and
hd Of It's length projected across the street by explosive
action killing in its course AZ unfortunate passenger and
lodging in the second story OF the house opposite.
Many similar instances have occurred the las, few
days ago In Philadelphia cylindrc. boiler was rent
asundsr It's middle and the ends projected in opposite
directions each causing the death of person who stood
in Its path and falling al considerable distance from s
original place
Ii posbl that elastic steam which acts In every
direction with equal force, should produce these effects
because cylindrical boiler will burst open literally Al
less than half the force Of steam which rend it
endwise II may be mechanically proved thus With
fine cut from smooth round stick with its bark
cylindrical ipiece, one-ha It's own circumference IN
lsnsih the bark will represent the shell metal Of
responding portion Of boiler and the surfaces Of wood at
the ends the opposite relative forces OF steam TO rend the
boiler uupder endwise.
Divide the piece ensthwse through It's center the
faces of the wood divided are double the 'ufsees Of the
ends which shows the opposite relative forces Of steam
be double bat the amount Of bark divided 10 equal By
TO the circumference which shows that on
equal strength Of metal the lateral pressure double
that endwise. Every citizen who values human life and
his duties in its preservation should make this simple and
easy but decisive experiment
From the inherent properties OF the cynder Euclid 3
~ 10 is impossible that the which rends cyndri-
es boiler ssunder endwise, should have any suabs
water aud steam, water combined with elementary
elastic fluid It is then TO the caOTic when free
fer the effects elastic steam cannot produce Prof John.
son, comparing the statements Of Watt, Lspaee ire and
others assigns the latent heat of steam ESQ degrees 10
other words II water ct so Fahrenheit be converted into
steam at 22 Of IS parts Of heat employed have raised
the 100 degrees the oher H. have produced
the conversion vapor without increasing the sensible
and in this wonderful property ss In many others
enes with electricity, which, It has been long known,
10 evolved from steam at the instant Of condensation
That latent heat cslorc does not remsn In combns
ton with water and in the form Of steam. except under
pressure the strength Of the boiler 10 sufficient witness
and we when let of by the safety valve ths,
it escape ia instantaneous Il must be equally 90, when
the steam valve opeoed and the passes into tbs
cavity Of the nozzle bat the caore which leaves is
combination cannot escape from the nozzle which then
not unlike charged Leyden jar. How the discharges sre
made is not well understood that the nozzle and clear
OF the piston is the focus Of explosive action de-
by the enormous but Insufficient strength Of
the working parts Of the engine
The Of prevention Hanestths nozzle mat Be
aray ss unnecessary wssefu and dangerous and the
valves worked directly In the ends Of the cylinder 10
Of which the common printing press Is 40 excellent
type These changes required equ. for safety and the
the zns bat from their application
70 the security OF human life and TO agricultural, manu-
ADVANTAGE JOHN WILDER