Cylinders, Steam Pipe, Blast Pipe, etc.details

291. View of Fire Box, etc.—In Plate IV., C C are the ends of two cylinders, S P the steam pipe, B P the blast pipe. (p. 269)

158. The Blast Pipe is a pipe leading from the boiler into the funnel to create a draught while getting up steam; but when the engine is moving (non-condensing engines), the waste steam passing through the waste steam pipe performs this office.

The steam rushing up the funnel leaves behind a vacuum, when the air, rushing through the fire bars to supply its place, gives up its store of oxygen to combine with the other products of combustion, and intense heat is produced. It was this contrivance that so efficiently assisted Stephenson to win the prize of £500 at the memorable competition at Rainhill, when his engine, the Rocket, now in the South Kensington Museum, defeated the Novelty and Sanspareil. He also used coke and a tubular boiler. (p. 139)