Published Resources Details Journal Article
- Title
- The application of the compound steam turbine to the purpose of marine propulsion
- In
- The Engineer
- Imprint
- vol. 83, 16 April 1897, p. 397
- Description
Accession No.496
- Abstract
C. Parsons' paper "The application of the compound steam turbine to the purpose of marine propulsion." Read at the thirty-eighth session of the Institution of Naval architects, on the 8th of April 1897. In January 1894 a syndicate was formed to test thoroughly the application of the compound steam turbine to marine propulsion, and a boat was designed for the purpose. The Turbinia (length 100 feet, beam 9 feet; displacement 44 and a half tons), was fitted with a turbine engine designed to develop upwards of 1,500 horsepower at a speed of 2,500 revolutions per minute operating with steam supplied at 225 pounds per square inch by a water-tube boiler, with a large steam space, large return water legs, total heating surface 1,100 square feet, and a grate surface of 542 square feet. The condenser had a surface area of 4,200 square feet; the circulating water was fed to the condenser by scoops which were hinged and reversible, so that there could be a complete reversal of flow should the tubes become choked. It was anticipated that problems with cavitation as experienced with the Daring would occur, and a series of experiments with model two-bladed screws were conducted. It was concluded from these experiments that in all screws there would be a limit to the speed of the blade, depending on the slip ratio and the thickness of the blade. Beyond this speed a great loss of power would occur. The advantages claimed for the compound steam turbine over ordinary engines were as follows; (1) increased speed, (2) increased economy of steam, (3) increased carrying power, (4) increased facilities for navigating shallow waters, (5) increased stability, (6) increased safety of machinery in wartime conditions, (7) reduced weight of machinery, (8) reduced space occupied by machinery, (9) reduced initial cost, (10) reduced cost of attendance on machinery, (11) reduced upkeep of machinery, (12) greatly reduced vibration, (13) reduced size and weight of screw propellers and shafting. During trials conducted on the 1st of April 1897 the Turbinia achieved a mean speed of 31.01 knots, and the highest speed achieved was 32.61 knots. See also C. A. Parsons "The application of the compound steam turbine to the purpose of marine propulsion." Transactions of the Institution of Naval Architects, vol. 38, 1897, pp.232-241.