The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-20

VI Dollef directly over the IRE, the iTOf
plates become overheated, the expansion
causes the scale to break, when the water
comes IN contact with the highly heated
and weakened metal, sudden formation
of steam is caused, sudden increase O
pressure follows, their rupture and all The
dlsasterous consequences of explosion.
Prot. Miller proposes the following
remedy for explosions:
If we take vessel in which liquid is
violently boiling and pour the contents
into another vessel, we produce the same
effect by allowing the steam to escape.
If we place the diaphragm in boiler (a>
| shown In figure four, we produce a sim
| liar effect by creating current circula
| ting upward over the edge of the dia.
| phragm, because of the difference in the
specific gravity of water filtered with
steam, and the water without steam.
Then if we go still further and provide
an eddy where the route can be compal-
atlvely quiet, we shall provide also for the
collection of sediment In pockets sur
| rounded by water and not in contact with
the fine, as shown in the drawing. The
result would be that all steam, as soon as
generated, enters at once into the steam
| space, and that, the sediment being In
the pockets away from the heated surfaces,
the water preventing access OF the heat,
| the oYerheatlng OF the plates is impossible.
We have perfect steam, water, and sedi
ment IN their proper positions-we have
bright efficient heating surface, rapid
absorption, and equal distribution OF
temperatures, and safe and efficient steam
boilers.
Prof. Miller referred to the Perkins
boiler, and expressed his belief that it
had failed to accomplish what its inven-
tor claimed, an immunity from danger by
explosion.
The following are the laws laid down
by Prof. Miller for the construction of
steam boilors, which under all circum-
stances, could be free from disasterous
explosions
L. That the same boilers should be
constructed of the largest practicable
number of rlVets, so that giving way of
one of them, under executive pressure,
would relieve the whole.
2. That each rlvIt must constitute, in
Itself, a complete steam boiler, having its
water-space exposed to the fire and the
receptacle for the collection of sediment
below the influence of the fire,
3. That the heating surfaces should be
vertlcle, or near y so,-at or nearly at
right angles with the line fire, which is
simple question OF economy.
+. That Il free and perfect circulation
OF the water must be secured by having
voIumns OF water exposed to the heat
ascending, and larger water-spaces not
exposed to the heat ascending, thereby
also securing Perfect separation of steam
from the water
lie claimed that steam boilers construc-
ted on these principles will in the hands
OF even the most inexperienced persons
be free from danger, and at the same
time insure the highest economy in tie
production OF power.
The audience greeted the conclusion.of
the speakers remarks with hearty APP
plause
Some time was devoted to the discus
sion OF the paper by members of the as
ISOLATION.
Prof Hyatt took exception to the idea
expressed by Prot. Miller that in steam
boilers at any time there was a mingling
Of steam and water. Steam possessed a
smaller specific gravity than water, and
must, therefore, rise above it. In Prot.
Miller flask tXpe Iment, he believed it
depended upon the manner in which the
cork was placed whether it would fly
out with great or small degree of pres
sure. Prot. Hyatt was satisfied that the
chief cauoe of expulsion was lack of
water III the boiler. There might be
faults III construction Of the boiler, but
the sudden expansion of the steam was
the chief cause of disaster He believed
boiler could not be safe in the hands OF
an ignorant person, any more than Il key
Of gluipowicr could be- \ steam boiler
should be placed IN the hands of slzillful,
energetic, and able man, who has
thorough knowledge of the laws that
govern the production Of steam.
Prof. Miller responded that a man
might known all about steam, and yet not
be faithful or vigilant; it was lack Of
these latter qualities that caused so many
disasters from the use Of them.
Prot Vanderwick remarked that, in
his opinion, water contained steam in
solution, as soda water does carbonic acid
gas. Circulation In the water is neces-
sary to set free this steam
Mr.. Studdard thought that the charged
molecular constitution of water containing
steam had something to do with the ex-
plosions.
Mr. Stoddard believed the cause of
many explosions was the lack of water in
boilers When a mass of water is sud
denly forced against the sides Of boiler
heated very hot, it is converted into the
opperoidal state, from which mass of
steam is produced that no boiler could
withstand.
Mr.. Stoddard believed boilers were
not constructed with sufficient strength.
Engineers do otusually subject iron to a
strain of more than one third its tensile
strength, while boilers are frequently
subjected to nearly the entire portion of
that strength "