TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 
9 
The results given in Table 1 are very satisfactory, as they show an 
efficiency of engine, transmission gears, and pump in every case 
exceeding 38 per cent and in two cases considerably above that figure, 
while the actual lift of the pump varied from 2.4 feet to 2.86 feet. 
During the last observation the paddles dipped into the water to a 
depth of approximately 1 foot, and the slip or backward flow was 
quite large. The clearance on the side of paddles was about three- 
fourths inch. 
Table 1. — Engine and pump test, South Side Planting Co.'s drainage wheel. 
Boiler 
pressure. 
Indicated 
horse- 
power. 
Speed of 
engine. 
Speed of 
wheel. 
Actual 
lift. 
Discharge. 
Useful 
water 
horse- 
power. . 
Effi- 
ciency. 
Lbs. per 
sq. in. 
40 
40 
38 
36 
37 
13.43 
12.61 
10.37 
8.80 
6.95 
R. p. m. 
61 
66 
68 
67.5 
68 
R. p. m. 
2.00 
2.17 
2.24 
2.22 
2.24 
Feet. 
Sec.-ft. 
G. p. m. 
Per cent. 
2.4 
2.8 
2.7 
2.86 
20.71 
17.20 
11.23 
8.21 
9,299 
7,723 
5,042 
3,686 
5.59 
5.41 
3.41 
2.66 
44.3 
52.2 
38.8 
38.3 
138.2 
i 9. 68 i 66. 1 
12.22 12.69 
i 14. 34 
16,437 
14.27 
143.4 
i Mean. 
Duration of test, 1 hour. 
These results are confirmed by a test of a similar drainage wheel in 
the old London Avenue pumping station in New Orleans, made in 
August, 1900, by W. M. White. In this test between 50 and 60 
cubic feet per second were pumped through a height varying from 4 
to 5 feet. The efficiency of engine, gearing, and pump ranged from 
45 to 50 per cent. The duty per 100 pounds of coal was approxi- 
mately 13,000,000 foot-pounds. The water rate of the engine was 
50.5 pounds per indicated horsepower-hour. The engine was of the 
type used in Mississippi River steamboats; diameter of cylinder 18 
inches; length of stroke 54 inches. During the test the engine made 
about 35 revolutions per minute. 
TEST OF CHAMBER- WHEEL PUMP ON WILLSWOOD PLANTATION, WAGGAMAN, LA. 
In a drainage pumping plant composed of large units such as are 
required ordinarily in drainage work, the pumps lift the water higher 
than is necessary, and while they are efficient if credited with the 
higher lift, they lose their efficiency on low lifts when the actual 
difference in level is considered. 
This point is well illustrated by the test made at the drainage 
pumping plant of Willswood plantation. At the time there were 
three pumping units on this plantation, steam being furnished by two 
water-tube boilers and one horizontal return tubular boiler. The 
fuel was crude oil and a feed-water heater was used. Following is a 
description of the three units : 
89782— 22— Bull. 1067 2 
