STEAM USE IN PUMPING ENGINE PRACTICE.
IN pumping engine practice high steam pressures and high piston speed are important elements in the attainment of economy of steam plant. Both contribute to the saving of steam and fuel. High initial steam pressure causes the waste by back-pressure to form a smaller proportion of the total horse-power effect developed in a given sized cylinder, while high piston speed, or rather great rapidity of piston reciprocation, causes the waste by condensation of steam in cylinder to be reduced to small proportions.
The main advantage of these two adjuncts to economy is the fact that they enable the securing of the required pumping capacity for a smaller first cost of plant. The result of such reduction in first cost is not only that the smaller original outlay conduces to the introduction of the plant, but the smaller annual interest and depreciation which the investment represents materially decreases the current expense account of the pumping plant of given capacity. Of course, the piston speed must not be so excessive as to seriously encroach on the durability and life-time of machinery, or to prevent proper flow, suction and discharge of water.
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