OT steam engine ???

teddy52food · Jun 23, 2011

Last week we toured through Mi. We went to the Quincy copper mine in the UP to see the biggest steam engine in the world. Steam was fed to the small cylinder(32 inch) then the exaust powered a bigger cylinder (60 inch) then the exaust was pumped by another smaller engine to a condenser and cooling pond. I questioned the tour guide as to why they cooled the water before returning it to the boiler. She said there was a reason but couldn't explain it. I would think it would be more efficient to use the water hot rather than cool it down. Anyone know the reasoning behind this?

greygoat · Jun 23, 2011

Quincy Copper mine had perhaps the worlds
largest "Mine Hoist" that went several miles deep
even under lake Superior, but not the worlds
biggest steam engine, that powered the hoist.

tractorsam · Jun 23, 2011

I don't know if it was their reason or not but it would depend on how the boiler was fed with water. If they used a feed pump then I would have thought hot water was fine, however if they were using something called an 'injector' then cold water is essential for correct operation. Injectors were used on steam locomotives and other mobile applications, I don't know if they ever saw use in stationary steam. Sam

rrlund · Jun 23, 2011

Did you stop in Iron Mountain and see the Corliss pump engine out of the Chapin Mine? Now THAT'S a big engine!

Tony in Mass. · Jun 23, 2011

Yes, the safety of the boiler depended on liquid water, not vapor, so injecting low pressure steam would be 'efficient', but back then coal was cheap, and safety features were few. Condensing steam exhaust from a compound saves water in dry places too. Nice about doing this with ships or stationaries, it wasn't like a locomotive, just the opposite- didn't need too much for forced draft, didn't need a feed water heater, just give the old water a break.

buickanddeere · Jun 23, 2011

The guide may have been confused.
Most system for efficiency and to reduce boiler thermal stress. They use waste steam or waste condensate. To preheat boiler feed water after the condensor and before injection into the boiler(s).

teddy52food · Jun 23, 2011

No we didn't. We had rented a motorhome & time was running out. Maybe another time. Were going to go to Duluth & watch the loading of ships but didn't do that either.

teddy52food · Jun 23, 2011

That is why I questioned her. She said they sprayed it into the air to cool it. Must have been pretty cool in the wintertime.

teddy52food · Jun 23, 2011

You are right. Largest steam engine mine hoist. That mine is below sea level at the bottom. Almost 2 miles deep. Now it is full of water till the 7th level where they give the tour. It is a shame that engine only ran from 1920 until they shut it down in the depression.

rrlund · Jun 23, 2011

It's worth seeing. The flywheel on that thing is 40 foot.

Mike M · Jun 23, 2011

I seem to remember from science class cooking TV ? or somewhere that cold water will boil quicker the hot water ? Couldn't prove it by me however as they both take too long as " a watched pot never boils " as the tale goes.

teddy52food · Jun 23, 2011

How many cylinders? Maybe only one with a big flywheel. The Quincy engine is 4 cylinders in a V. 2 high & 2 low pressure. The drum is the flywheel even though it is not needed with all those cylinders. Rated at 2500 HP.

Pooh Bear · Jun 23, 2011

Steam is piped into the small cylinder first and when it completes it's stroke the remaining pressure is piped into a larger cylinder (compounding) and then released out of the second cylinder into a condenser to increase the efficiency. The condenser increases the pressure differential across the final piston stroke.

Pooh Bear (aka Fluff For Brains)

Josh in MI · Jun 24, 2011

I lived in Hancock for a while, the long winters and hill did not mix real well.

That area was actually on the cutting edge of steam technology. The Calumet & Hecla Superior Engine (just to the north in Calumet) was particularly impressive.

Check out the link to see some more photos from this area.
Michigan Copper Country

Rootsy · Jun 24, 2011

Lived in Houghton for a couple of years while I was @ MTU. Lately I've been considering graduate school... I guess you could say I miss the Keweenaw and I'm looking for an excuse to return.

The rock house sits on top of Quincy #2. The Hoist being due East more or less of it. Just over 9200 feet deep except that the #2 shaft runs on an incline. Starting on the East side of US-41 and passing beneath running back to the West.

The Keweenaw is more or less a fault and the plate is pushed down to form a bowl. The peninsula is the "Edge" of the plate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Mining_Company

OT steam engine ???

teddy52food

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greygoat

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rrlund

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