STEAM ENGINE

Under Mentorship of Prof. Prabha Chand

 RANKINE CYCLE DEFINITION

HEAT SOURCE STEAM ENGINES WHY WE SHOULD STUDY?

REHEATER EXTERNAL COMBUSTIBLE ENGINES

Ancient Beginnings 16th and 17th Centuries Thomas Newcomen’s James Watt’s
Engine Steam Engine Engine Improvements

Aeolipile Developed Concept of Steam Developed the Built locomotive

Turbines Came atmospheric steam No. 1
engine
Based on Cylinder Arrangement:
Based on Working Pressure:
Low-Pressure Steam Engine, High Pressure Steam Engine
Single Multi
Based on Speed of Engine:
Cylinder Cylinder
Slow- Speed Steam Engine, High Speed Steam Engine
Based
Basedon
onAction of Steam:
the Mode of Steam Generation:
Non-Condensing Engine, Condensing Engine
Single Double
Based on Use and Applications:
Acting Acting
Stationary Steam Engine, Mobile Steam Engine
Based on Working Pressure:
Low-Pressure Steam Engine, High Pressure Steam Engine
Based on Speed of Engine:
Slow- Speed Steam Engine, High Speed Steam Engine

Based on the Mode of Steam Generation:

Non-Condensing Engine, Condensing Engine

Based on Use and Applications:

Stationary Steam Engine, Mobile Steam Engine
1. Boiler
Heats water to produce steam.

2. Firebox
Burns fuel to generate heat for the boiler.

3. Cylinder
Houses the piston and directs steam to move it.

4. Piston
Converts steam energy into mechanical energy.

5. Piston Rod and Connecting Rod

Transmits motion from the piston to the crankshaft.
6. Crankshaft
Converts reciprocating motion into rotational motion.

7. Flywheel
Smooths out the engine's motion.

8. Steam Valve and Valve Gear

Controls the flow of steam into and out of the cylinder.

9. Eccentric Wheel
Converts rotary motion into linear motion.

10. Eccentric Rod

It transfers the motion from the eccentric to
move the valve.
1. Boiler and Steam Generation
• Water Heating: Water is heated in a sealed boiler. As the water reaches its boiling point, it
transforms into steam which increases the pressure significantly.
• Steam Accumulation: This high-pressure steam is held in the boiler until it is released through a
control valve, ready to move through the engine.

2. Steam Intake and Cylinder Operation

• Valve Control: Valves, typically slide or poppet valves, control the entry and exhaust of steam
into the cylinder at precise moments.
• Cylinder and Piston: The cylinder houses a piston that moves back and forth. When steam enters
the cylinder, it pushes against one side of the piston, forcing it to move.
• Thermal to Mechanical Energy Conversion: The steam’s pressure against the piston converts the
thermal energy of the steam into mechanical energy as the piston moves.
3. Power Stroke (Expanding Steam)
• Piston Movement: As the high-pressure steam expands, it pushes the piston across the
cylinder, creating a “power stroke.” This stroke is the main power-producing part of the
engine’s cycle.
• Connecting Rod and Crankshaft: The piston's motion is transferred through a connecting
rod to the crankshaft, which turns the linear movement into rotational movement. This
rotational movement can then drive a machine, vehicle, or generator.

4. Exhaust and Steam Release

• Exhaust Valve Opens: After the power stroke, the exhaust valve opens to release the used
steam from the cylinder.
• Condensation or Venting: In some designs, the used steam is vented directly to the
atmosphere; in others, it’s routed to a condenser, where it cools and condenses back into
water.
• Cycle Repetition: The condenser collects the condensed steam, which is then pumped back
into the boiler, allowing the process to repeat in a cyclical manner.
5. Condensation and Reuse of Water
• Condensing Process: When used steam enters the condenser, it cools down, returning to
liquid form. This recovery process conserves water and improves efficiency.
• Water Return to Boiler: The condensed water is pumped back into the boiler, ensuring a
continuous cycle of steam generation, expansion, and condensation. This closed-loop
system is efficient and minimizes water loss.

6. Mechanical Output and Applications

• Rotational Output: The crankshaft, driven by the piston's back-and-forth movement,
provides a continuous rotational motion.
• Applications: This rotational motion is used to power a variety of machines, from
locomotives and ships to factory machines. The adaptability and steady output of steam
engines made them foundational during the Industrial Revolution.
1. Mining: Early steam engines, like those by
Savery and Newcomen, were primarily
used to pump water out of mines. This allowed
deeper mining by preventing flooding and
made coal mining more efficient

2. Manufacturing and Mills: James Watt’s

improved steam engines allowed factories to
be powered by reliable, non-human energy
sources. Steam engines were used in textile
mills, paper mills, and ironworks, enabling
mechanized production and transforming
manufacturing.
3. Transportation:

Railways: Steam trains allowed for faster and more efficient

movement of goods and people across long distances, reducing
travel times and costs.
Ships: Steam engines enabled the development of steamships,
which were faster and less reliant on wind than sailing vessels.

4. Agriculture: Steam engines in the 19th century were

adapted for use in agriculture, powering equipment like
threshers and plows. The steam traction engine, a mobile steam
engine used for fieldwork, increased farming productivity by
reducing manual labor.
5. Power Generation: Steam engines were used in power
plants to generate electricity. While the original steam
engines were eventually replaced by steam turbines, which
are more efficient, the basic concept of using steam to
generate power laid the foundation for modern electric
power plants.

6. Road Vehicles: Steam-powered road vehicles, such as

steam buses and steam cars, emerged in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. Although they were eventually
outpaced by internal combustion engines, early models
contributed to the development of motorized road
transport.
7. Industrial Machinery: Steam engines powered an array
of industrial machines, from lathes and saws to printing
presses, providing a dependable and powerful energy
source.

8. Construction and Infrastructure: Steam-powered

cranes, pile drivers, and excavators were used in large
construction projects, facilitating the building of railways,
bridges, and canals and helping reshape urban
infrastructure.