ABSTRACT
The amount of steam at a given temperature that can be produced per pound of coal depends a good deal on careful stoking. The thread of steam in the hot tube is drawn out and lengthens towards the cylinder, which it fills with less weight than would be required at a lower temperature. The object of admitting steam in front of the moving piston is to prevent shock, by forming a “cushion” which pulls the piston up gently. The object of cutting off the steam early in the stroke is to utilise as much as possible of the heat energy in the steam. While the turbine can be used for any purpose its chief value is for driving dynamos, and for marine propulsion. In the former case its high speed and uniformity of running render it particularly suitable and most central stations using steam power have turbines for at least part of their equipment.
