248 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENTAL ENGINEERING. The work in this subject is planned so
that it illustrates the principles taught in the classroom by tests on the
various types of heat engines. The student is first taught how to calibrate
the various instruments used in such tests, to set valves and then to make
efficiency tests of engines, boilers, gas producers, and other machinery. As
a preliminary to the testing of boilers and gas producers, instruction is
given in the use of the various steam, coal, and gas calorimeters, flue gas
apparatus and apparatus for the analysis of fuel and gases. Instruction is
also given in the methods of measuring flow of air and of testing air com-
pressors, blowers, and refrigerating machines. In the junior year the stu-
dents study various methods of measuring power and determining mechani-
cal efficiency, testing of oils, determination of friction with regard to lubri-
cants and bearing materials. The courses are laid out with the idea of
giving the necessary information and practice in the testing of various
machines, and of encouraging accuracy in work and originality in investi-
gation. For thesis work the laboratories offer unusual opportunities in the
way of special apparatus.

STEAM AND GAS ENGINEERING LABORATORY. The main laboratory is a
one-story extension at the rear of the Engineering Building. The machin-
ery floor in this laboratory is on the same level as the basement of the main
building. A gallery entered from the first floor of the main building is
partitioned off to form laboratories for calibration work, special investigia-
tion, and oil testing.

All of the equipment of the laboratory is specially arranged for experi-
mental work, and for demonstration of the principles discussed in the class
room. A means of supplying load for each of the engines is provided.
On many of the engines a simple friction brake is used, while for high-speed
units either electric generators or water dynamometers are used. The
steam driven units are supplied with condensers in order that the exhaust
steam may be weighed.

The more important steam driven units are a 25-kilowatt Curtis Tur-
bine, a 25-horsepower simple Corliss Steam Engine, and a complete refrig-
eration plant. The main unit of the refrigeration plant is a 15-ton direct-
connected Corliss engine-driven ammonia-compressor. Also, this plant in-
cludes a double-pipe ammonia condenser and a double-pipe brine cooler be-
sides some automatic control equipment. A 50-horsepower cross-compound
poppet-valve steam engine is fitted with steam jacketed receiver and cylin-
ders. Tests can be made with either superheated or saturated steam, con-
densing or non-condensing, with or without steam in the steam jackets, and
with or without reheating between cylinders. This furnishes a means for
studying the effect of such conditions upon steam consumption. Moreover,
the speed of this unit may be varied from 90 to 125 revolutions per minute,
while the cut-off has a range of automatic variations between 0 and 95 per
cent of the stroke.

A 50-horsepower compound steam engine is directly connected to a two-
stage air compressor. The engine is equipped with a Meyer valve gear and
operates condensing. The base of the unit contains an intercooler for the
air and a receiver for the steam end. An orifice is used for measuring the
quantity of air compressed. A locomotive-type air compressor is also
arranged for test purposes.

A separately fired steam superheater is arranged to supply superheated
steam to the main steam loop and hence to any of the steam units. A small
vertical boiler and engine is used to familiarize the students with the essen-
tial parts of a simple steam power plant and the problems connected with