The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-12

There 10 but one inference to be drawn from
such an array Of testimony-either the commit
tee of engineers have made mistake and have
recommended an antiquated device, which is
worse than useless and which had its birth IN
fallacious theory, or else the general consensus
of opinion held by steam engineers and prac-
ticed by manufacturers and steam users are all
astray.
Though holding very decided opinion. l will
not undertake to say who is right. will ven.
ture to suggest however, that since so many
people differ from the committee and SO many
steam plants are being operated all over the
world without the use of steam drum, it will
not be necessary for the city to shut down their
pumping plant in order to make the additions
recommended.
Third-The boilers do rest on plates and roll
lers, but even If they did not. so long as they
performed their function of furnishing steam
for the pumps without injury TO the boilers or
their setting. the purpose for which they were
created will have been served.
The arrangement of feed pipes not being so
defective but that competent engineer can
remedy 1t, the council can safely leave the mat
ter in the hands of the gentleman, Mr.. George
Kelly, whom you have chosen TO operate the
plant.
Fourth-The connecting pipes and location of
the pumps though not wisely situated in the
opinion Of the committee, may be so situated in
the opinion of others. At any rate, 80 long as
the unw wisdom OF their situation does not inter.
fere with the full and continuous operation of
the pumps this matter can be safely lett to
each person to decide, according to his taste or
fancy
Fifih-The vacuum chamber of the suction
pipe does take the shock at all times from thai
part of the pipe-at least 80 per cent. of it
which lies beyond the chamber. and but for the
leaky Joints between the chamber and the
ho all
This has been demonstrated thoroughly during
the past week. The chamber stands at the "Y''
where the main suction pipe divides leading to
the different pumps. Between this point and
the pumps the joints were not made tight and
the air drawn in through them interferes with
the smooth working of the pumps, and it has
been thought best to place another chamber
on each branch pipe near the pumps.
This change was in progress before the COM
mittee was appointed, as the committee was in
formed by the engineer at the works.
Ihave examined the report carefully, but fail
to find any mention made of this fact
1t should be said in this connection that it is
the leaky joints that cause the shocks, and not
the shocks which cause the leaky joints, as Is
demonstrated by the one pipe which leaks hut
slightly and that goes without shock, until the
accumulation OF air becomes sufficient to cause
vibration OF the water.
Indeed, so smoothly is this pump working
that bad they both ne as well from the start
no one would have dreamed of making the ad-
dition of other vacuum chambers.
Sixth-As to whether the suction pipe should
have been wrought-iron tubing or riveted pipe
with dange joints, we may be justified in con-
sidering an open question. in view OF the fact
that it is only that part of the suction pipe
made in this way, with fange joiats, which
gives any trouble, or so for as can Dc discovered,
leaks one particle. The cast-iron pipe, made
with caulked joints, seems absolutely perfect.
Should there even De any tendency to leak. the
joints are perfectly accessible, and can be re-
caulked at any time. A defect is not 50 easily
remetiied in f1sngc joint, as is being proved by
experience in this case.
There is ample justification for the use of cast
iron for the main suction pipe, In Its greater
cheapness and convenience in putting together,
priti most OF all in the fact that the plant being
but temporary the pipe can be removed and
used for distribution mains.
Seveuth-There can be no doubt that on gen.
eral principles the water should be taken from
a point reasonably remote from the shore, bu.
as long as there is no considerable organic shore
pollution, the difference of about sixty feet be-
tween the end of this pipe and the end of the
old one may be left out of count so far any
rerceptible differences in the character of the
water is concerned. 1t is wholly imp ssible to
detect any difference in the appearance or tas.e
pipes. They are both in water sufficiently deep
to secure the average quality of the lake. AS to
temperature have found by observations with
a thermometer, at faucet in the Seattle block.
that there has been no chsnge si1ce the reS
pumps were put into operation. the tempera-
ture OF the water being Is degrees both before
and after the pumps were started.
Eighth-The use of q condenser will be mat
ter of some economy in the operations of the
pumps, though with coal at 81. 80 per ton 1t can
not be very great But what is OF equal i'm
portsnee it viii save boiler capacity and in view
of these two advantages prices were asked by
the city clerk more than two weeks ago for
condenser to accompany additional pumps, OF
SUFFICIENT capacity. for the whole plant
Ninth-The sld council had before it some
weeks ago the question of an increase IN the
capacity OF the pumping plant and ut that time
recommended that the increase be made, so
that fully agree with the committee in recon-
mending that such arrangements shall be made