STEAM BOILER TESTS — ROBB. 13 



a test of his boilers for the purpose of comparing the values 

 of fuels, etc., after the efficiency of the generator has been estab- 

 lished by a complete test by an expert, (observations of the 

 quality of steam, strength of chimney draught and analysis of 

 gases are omitted as they require special instruments and 

 skilled manipulation.) 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMERS TEST. 



A test to be of any value should be continued for not less than 

 ten hours, and will require the constant attention of not less than 

 four persons besides the regular attendants, appointed as follows : 

 one or two men to weigh the coal, and one or two to attend to 

 and weigh the wat^r, one clerk to keep the log of the coal and 

 water weighed, and one clerk to record the pressure of steam, 

 temperature of feed water, temperature of chimney gases, and to 

 keep a gross account of the coal and water as a check to the 

 regular log. These should be careful men, well posted as to their 

 duties. Three good platform scales will be required and two tanks, 

 or clean tight casks, to weigh water in. Preparation should be 

 made so that the watei- can all be delivered into two tanks, which 

 are placed upon two platform scales, and the water pumpid altei - 

 nately from the tanks to the boiler, a piece of hose attached to 

 the suction pipe of the pump or injector will be convenient to 

 transfer from one tank to the other. It will be advisable to 

 procure from reliable instrument makers, one or two accurate 

 thermometers for the purpose of taking the temperature of the 

 feed-water and chimney gases. The temperature of the feed- 

 water should be taken by inserting a brass or copper cup in the 

 feed pipe near its connection with the boiler ; this cup may be 

 filled with oil and the thermometer set in the oil. The tempera- 

 ture of the cold water before it enters the injector or feed water 

 heater should also be taken. Great care should be exercised that 

 all scales, steam ffauu^es, etc., are correct, and that there are no 

 leaks about the pumps, pipes or boiler, by which any water may 

 escape without being evaporated ; steam leaks are not material 

 except as misrepresenting to consumption of the engine. The 



