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Unread 10-20-2011, 01:08 PM   #22
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edgarspencer
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You have a great archive of pictures Richard. The last picture you posted in post #21 is clearly a Francis wheel (also called a runner). A true Pelton, also known as an impulse wheel, has "buckets" that sort of look like cattle watering troughs mounted to a disc, or hub, facing outward. A single nozzle directs the water in a jet-like stream against these buckets.
After looking at the boiler pics again, it appears I was to haste in my assessment that the furnace was cut off. I'm a little surprised they were planning on firing it with slid fuel, with so little tree growth that far North. I would have assumed, probably incorrectly, that oil, even crude, was more plentiful or economical. As a geologist, you'd be the expert there.
You didn't say, but what kind of game would you shoot in that terrain shown in the pics of the steam engine? Ptarmigan and hares? Is that wild blueberry?
Blame Obama, or one of his revolving door czars for the lack of foresight in lending funding for returning old power plant to good use. They would rather put the lives of the native villages dependent on the regular supply of fossil fuels. The cumulative MW amount of plants once considered economically not viable in New England alone far exceeds the output of any single nuclear plant. Once back on-line, the maintenance of the rotating machinery isn't much different than any other power plant.
Back to Parker Steam engines for a moment; did you know Colt also made steam engines? Old Sam bought the patents from Baxter and continued to use his name in the manufacture of pretty little engine-boiler packages. I think it was Baxter who also invented the first practical adjustable wrench.
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