334 APPLIED SCIENCE 



to a pipe partly filled with cold water, the water is set in 

 violent motion and travels the length of the pipe in the form 

 of waves often with sufficient velocity to break a valve or 

 other obstruction in its path. The extent of the break will 

 depend upon the manner in which the valve is opened. If 

 opened suddenly, a violent explosion is almost certain to 

 follow, but if opened very gradually, while there may be a 

 certain amount of noise and vibration, no serious results will 

 occur. 



Engines are usually placed in a house separate from the 

 boiler, although it is a good plan to have them near so as to 

 avoid the necessity of laying great lengths of steam pipe. 

 Steam pipes are made of wrought iron or steel with flanged 

 joints. The pipes conducting the steam from the boiler to 

 the engines are covered with non-conducting material, such 

 as asbestos, to prevent the escape of heat. Draw-off cocks 

 are placed in convenient positions along the pipe to draw off 

 the water formed from condensed steam. 



375. Alignment of Pipes. When pipes are not in a 

 straight line, they are said to be out of alignment. Want of 

 alignment sometimes causes trouble by throwing excessive 

 strains on the flanges at the joints of stop valves, separators, 

 etc. This trouble is brought about, as a rule, by forcing the 

 flanges together by means of their joining bolts instead of 

 fitting them carefully into place. The flanges of modern steel 

 pipes and valves are usually of ample thickness, and if they 

 do not come together fairly, they should be taken down and 

 replaced. A thin ring of metal may be put in to make up the 

 length, if necessary. 



When erecting heavy pipes, every length of piping should 

 be placed in position and properly supported and leveled 



