The Steam Engine

The Steam Engine

this external combustion engine, which transforms the energy in water vapor into mechanical work, was essential to the Industrial Revolution that took place in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. The history of its invention goes back to rudimentary devices without practical application and continues up to the invention of the steam engine by James Watt. The steam engine was of fundamental importance for industry and transportation, replacing beasts of burden, the mill, and even human laborers.

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How It Works :

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1-ASCENT

The pressure of the steam makes the piston rise .

2-DESCENT
Without heat, the steamcondenses, the pressuredisappears, and the piston falls.

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Watt's Innovation

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The Scottish engineering James Watt added a separate container where the steam condenses.

1- The valves allow steam to pass through either from the top or from the bottom.
2- The piston goes up or down according to the intake of the steam.
3- The steam expelled by the motion of the piston becomes liquid in the condenser.
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Applications of the Era
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Mainly in industry, mining, and transportation

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WATER EXTRACTION :
Basing his design on an earlier model, Thomas Savery in 1698 patented a steam engine that was used to extract water from mines. In 1712, Thomas Newcomen perfected it.
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SPINNING AND WEAVING :
It was used first to create spinning and weaving machines, and it was used later in printing presses.
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STERILIZATION :
About 1900, this model was built. It served, among other things, to sterilize water for nursing and for preparing medications.

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TRANSPORTATION :
In ships, cars, and locomotives. Some locomotivesreached speeds close to 36 miles per hour (58 km/h).

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GENERATING ELECTRICITY :
Currently this is one of the steam engine's most important uses.The steam is sent through a turbine, and its mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy.