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: G.—ENGINEERING. 123 
$ 
are comparatively new, and there is little practical experience to serve 
as a basis of their solution. _ 
Among these may be mentioned :— 
1. The most advantageous cycle of operations as regards working 
periods, mean head, and variations of head. 
The methods of control and of sluice-gate operation. 
. Effect of changes of level due to wind or waves. 
. The best form of turbine and setting and the most economical 
turbine capacity. 
. The possibilities of undue corrosion of turbine parts in salt 
water. 
The best method of operation ; constant or variable speed. 
. Whether the generators shall be geared or direct driven. 
- Whether generation shall be by direct or alternating current. 
The questions of interference with navigation and with fisheries; 
of utilising the dam for rail or road transport across the estuary ; and, 
above all, economic questions connected with the cost of production, 
and the disposal of the output of such an installation, also require the 
most careful consideration before a scheme of any magnitude can be 
embarked upon with assurance of success. 
In view of the magnitude of the interests involyed, and of the fact 
that rough preliminary estimates indicate that to-day current even for 
an ordinary industrial load could be supplied from such an installation 
at a price lower than from a steam generating station giving the same 
output with coal at its present price, it would appear desirable that 
these problems should receive adequate investigation at an early date. 
Facilities for Research in Hydraulic and Cognate Problems.—In 
view of the considerations already outlined, and especially in view of 
the large part which British engineering will probably play in future 
_ Water-power developments, the provision on an adequate scale at some 
institution in this country of facilities for research on hydraulic and 
cognate problems connected with the development of water power is 
worthy of serious attention. 
At present the subject is treated in the curriculum of the engineering 
schools of one or two of our universities, but in no case is the laboratory 
equipment really adequate for the purpose in question. 
What is required is a research laboratory with facilities for experi- 
ments on the flow of water on a fairly large scale; for carrying 
out turbine tests on models of sufficient capacity to serve as a basis for 
design ; and, if possible, working in conjunction with one or more of 
the hydro-electric stations already in existence, or to be installed in the 
country, at which certain large-scale work might be carried out. 
The provision of such a laboratory is at the moment under con- 
Sideration in the United States, and in view of the rapidity with which 
the designs of hydraulic prime movers and their accessories are being 
improved at the moment, it would appear most desirable that the British 
designer, in order that the deservedly high status of his products should 
be maintained and enhanced, should at least have access to equal 
facilities, and should, if necessary, be able to submit any outstanding 
problems to investigation by a specially trained staff. 
COID MH wer 
L 2 
