Steam locomotive condensing apparatus
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Steam locomotive condensing apparatus takes the form of a series of pipes, valves and other ancillary equipment usually attached to an otherwise conventional steam locomotive. The apparatus takes the exhaust steam that would normally be lost up the funnel and routes it though a form of cooler, into the normal water tanks. Installations vary depending on the purpose, designer and the type of locomotive to which it is fitted.
Purpose
Unlike the type of Condenser used on a stationary steam engine or turbine, the condensing apparatus on a steam locomotive does not normally increase the power output, in fact it may reduce it considerably.
Whilst more power is potentially available by expanding down to a vacuum, the corresponding low density (high specific volume) implies extremely bulky low pressure cylinders or a turbine would be needed to actually extract it. So with a more practical volume ratio the condenser pressure would be near atmospheric rather than at a more typical low pressure, and the temperature would be correspondingly higher. In exhausting hot steam to the condenser, the temperature gradient between the exhaust steam and the cooling water is greater, so that a smaller heat exchange surface area is needed than would be required for typical stationary or ship-based steam plant of similar power.
The potential improvement in thermal efficiency expected from including the condenser in the cycle is therefore not usually realised within the space constraints of a typical locomotive, indeed losses due to viscous friction in the condenser piping is likely to reduce the power output over what was achievable from simply venting to atmosphere.
There are two usual reasons for fitting such equipment
Reduced exhaust emissions
Originally developed for the Metropolitan Railway to allow their locomotives to work the tunnels of the London Underground.
Steam is diverted from the exhaust steam pipes into the water tanks via condensing pipes within the same tanks. The water in the tanks could quickly heat up near boiling point, reducing the condensing affect on the exhaust steam. It was not unknown for the tanks to be emptied and refilled with cold water on a regular basis.
When not working in tunnels, the steam was directed to the blast pipe and up the funnel in the usual way.
To increase the locomotives range
Generally this was a more sophisticated installation that used forced air cooling to condense the exhaust steam.
The system was intended to reduce the problems of getting enough water to steam locomotives running through desert and very arid areas.
Locomotives fitted with Condensing Apparatus
- Metropolitan Railway A Class 4-4-0T
- Metropolitan Railway B Class 4-4-0T
- LNER Class N2 0-6-2T
- GWR 9700 Class 0-6-0PT (a variation on the 5700 Class)
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