Model of a Controlled Forced Circulation Boiler, 1942
date: label: date made
content: 1941-1942
notes: label: Description
content: This model represents the first major controlled circulation boiler in the United States. It was installed at the Somerset, Massachusetts Station of the Montaup Electric Company in 1942. Shortly thereafter the controlled circulation concept reached full commercial development and was widely used in public utility central stations throughout the world.
label: Description
content: The history of steam power is one of increasing steam pressures in search of increased efficiency. However, with higher pressures the natural circulation of water of varying densities within the boiler's many circuits becomes less effective.
label: Description
content: In controlled circulation boilers, water is continuously and rapidly circulated by pumps which are completely independent of the feed water pumps and thus operate with a relatively small pressure differential. By forcing the water's circulation, the elements of the boiler can be located without regard to hydraulic head, and because frictional loss is not a consideration, smaller tubes can be used. Further, heat is transferred from the fire to the water more efficiently.
label: Description
content: The actual boiler this model represents could produce 650,000 pounds of steam per hour at 2,000 pounds per square inch pressure. It contained a volume of 7,800 gallons of water which the pumps could recirculate in just one minute.
place: label: place made
content: United States: Massachusetts
topic: label: Subject
content: Steam Engines
label: Subject
content: Model
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
label: See more items in
content: Engineering, Building, and Architecture
label: Exhibition
content: Power Machinery
label: Exhibition Location
content: National Museum of American History
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Combustion Engineering, Inc. Windsor, Conn.
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: MC.326787
label: catalog number
content: 326787
label: accession number
content: 263167
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Boiler, Steam
label: Object Name
content: boiler, steam, model