Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine

Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine

Learning content/exercises
– Recording of a steam pressure curve
– Effect of additional evaporation
– Effect of the addition of cold water
– Determination of the fuel consumption
– Determination of the steam volume generated
– Determination of emitted power
– Determination of boiler efficiency
– Determination of condensation power

Equipment Layout:
Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine
Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine
Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine

Experiments
The selection of experiments makes no claims of completeness but is intended to be used as a
stimulus for your own experiments. The results shown are intended as a guide only.
Depending on the construction of the individual components, experimental skills and
environmental conditions, deviations may occur in the experiments. Nevertheless, the laws can
be clearly demonstrated.
Experiment 1 – Demonstration of function
Performing the experiment
When the steam engine is running slowly, the relationship between the movement of the piston
and the slider can be clearly observed. The steam engine can be stopped safely using the
flywheel and the power provided by the steam impressively demonstrated by letting the flywheel
rotate slowly through the hand. For this purpose a higher boiler pressure is sensible. By opening
the steam valve the timing of the inlet flow of the steam can be clearly shown.
Experiment 2 – Plotting the steam pressure curve
Performing the experiment

– To achieve an exact temperature measurement, a small amount of steam must flow past
Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine

the temperature sensor T3. Open the steam valve a little on the steam engine.
– Slowly increase the pressure in the boiler and at the same time note the temperature T3 and
pressure p1. Stop the experiment at 3 bar.
– The steam pressure can now be plotted against the temperature.

Experiment 3 – Demonstration of additional evaporation

Performing the experiment
– At 3 bar open the steam valve slightly and allow the steam engine to rotate slowly without
load.
– Observe the water level gauge. The water level is steady and can be clearly seen.
– Fully open the steam valve. To do this, apply a load to the steam engine with 2 bulbs.
Observe the water level gauge.
Experiment 4 – Demonstration of additional feed
Performing the experiment
– The water level should be in the lower third of the water level gauge.
– At 3 bar add, add plenty of water using the feed water pump and observe the manometer. The
pressure reduces rapidly. The cold water draws energy from the content of the boiler and the
production of steam collapses.
Experiment 5 – Calculations
Performing the experiment
– Adjust the gas flow rate to maximum.
– Set the cooling water flow rate to 50 L/h.
– Manually start the steam engine and leave to run at low speed without load.
– Adjust the steam valve so that a pressure of 4.0 bar is maintained.
– Set the gas flow rate to 50 L/h.
– Turn on two bulbs as a load.
– Wait until the system has reached a steady state. During this process do not forget to add
water.
Once a steady state has been reached, the measurements can be made.
– Place the measuring tank under the condensate drain valve V5 and open the valve. Pour
away accumulated condensate and plate the measuring tank underneath again.
– Read and note all measured values. The table in the Appendix can be used for this purpose.
Steam Power Plant with Steam Engine

– Repeat the reading every 5min and ensure that the measured values change as little as
possible End the experiment after 10...20min. Determine the amount of condensation using the
measuring vessel.

Student Experiment Results: