A. Heat is the source of power in all steam engines. It is necessary to
have fuel and water. When fuel is burned, the water coming in contact
with the hot sheets evaporates and becomes steam, which is then used in
the cylinders to force the pistons back and forth.
6. Q. About what quantity of water should be evaporated in a locomotive
boiler to the pound of coal?
A. From five to seven pounds of water. For example, one gallon of water
weighs eight and one-third pounds, therefore 100 pounds of coal should
evaporate from sixty to eighty-four gallons of water.