So, we spent the revision last turn prepping for it, we're doing a steam engine this design. The question is, what kind?
Achnizo's Compound Aeolipile: Achnizo has shown us multiple prototype 'Steam Engines'. They all generate motion by heating water, but how they do so differs. After considering the options, we've chosen to focus our efforts on the Compound Aeolipile.
The Compound Aeolipile operates by the same principle as the humble steam wheel. The difference is that where the steam wheel uses low-pressure steam exiting a single wheel, the Compound Aeolipile uses high-pressure steam exiting multiple wheels in series, each wheel venting into a chamber that feeds the next wheel, the pressure of the steam dropping in stages, extracting more energy from it- potential that would otherwise be lost by letting high-pressure steam vent into the atmosphere.
The 'Boiler' is made of Orichalcum, enabling high pressures to be attained without bursting. An Orichalcum 'heating element' within the boiler helps heat the water, although a fire may be lit underneath the boiler as well if needed. Other components that need to withstand high pressure are likewise made of Orichalcum; the rest is mostly bronze. It is adorned with carvings of Aeolus.
Our first use for the Compound Aeolipile will be to pump water out of our Orichalcum mines. Set up above the mine, a series of shafts, gears, and pulleys will link the engine to the various pumps within the mine, replacing human or animal labour with the far more efficient mechanical equivalent. It can also be used to power winches that can lift ore (and miners) out of the mine.
Achnizo's Piston Engine: Achnizo has shown us multiple prototype 'Steam Engines'. They all generate motion by heating water, but how they do so differs. After considering the options, we've chosen to focus our efforts on the Piston Engine.
The Piston Engine is a fairly simple device, although it operates on a different principle from the steam wheel. It uses a 'piston' that is pushed up and down by a 'pressure differential'. A series of valves directs steam from the boiler to one side of the piston. More valves then direct said steam into a condenser, where a spray of cold water... condenses it, creating a partial vacuum. Simultaneously, the other side of the piston has steam directed into it. The difference in pressure causes the piston to move towards the vacuum side. The cycle then reverses, with the steam on the other side being directed into the condenser, and fresh steam directed into the formerly vacuum'd side. The condensed steam is sent back to the boiler to be re-used. The piston is linked to a crank, which converts the reciprocating motion into rotational motion.
The Piston Engine uses fairly low pressure steam- no more than two atmospheres. Achnizo assures us that with more work, he could develop a more efficient piston-based engine, using Orichalcum parts capable of withstanding higher pressures- but for now, we'll stick with this relatively simple model.
Our first use for the Piston Engine will be to pump water out of our Orichalcum mines. Set up above the mine, a series of shafts, gears, and pulleys will link the engine to the various pumps within the mine, replacing human or animal labour with the far more efficient mechanical equivalent. It can also be used to power winches that can lift ore (and miners) out of the mine.
In my opinion, the first option is more fun and more greek. The second option has the advantage of actually working IRL. Andrea has been tight-lipped about whether the Compound Aeolipile would work even on a good roll... though he has previously said that things that are on-theme could work even if they wouldn't work (well) IRL.
If I knew both options would be equally effective, I'd go with the first. But I fear that doing so might result in us rolling a 7 and getting the result: "Lolnope this doesn't work".
So, feedback. What do the rest of you think? Fun & risky, or boring & safe?
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Topic: Ancient arms race - Academy of Prometheus - 2994 B.C. Revision (Read 14666 times)