Turbine

these are actually 4-cylinder reciprocating steam engines. the cylinders are inside the rusted box at the top, which is probably a water jacket to keep things cool. the crankshaft at the bottom drives the generator (under the cloth).. the access ports in the middle get to the connecting rods.

Thats what I was going to say!
Just kidding, I am amazed at the photos, and you to J, I would have just said a big engine looking thingy - thank you for explaining what it is.

That's an impressive shot of a huge brooding hulk - it almost looks as though grease and time would get it going again. That the cover over the generator is still intact and in position is incredible.

Its grate to see some care was taken in the shut down process.

One correction - they did not cool the engine with a water jacket. No need to. If anything that is insulated to keep it warm - keep the steam up to temp. setam is only - anyone remember? - 212 degrees. not hot enought to need cooling. nice pix. I would love to poke around there myself.

Chris,

Steam can actually go well above 212 degrees - and normally does in power plants. J is probably right...

The insulation on the piping and such isn't so much to keep the steam from being cooled as it is to prevent the surrounding area from getting too hot - and to prevent severe burns in case of accidental contact...

I wonder what it was use for or what kind of turbine

These are obviously reciprocating steam engines. The jacket is insulation so you do not lose heat. When you do lose heat you lose efficiency and the engine then runs poorly and is costly to run. About the question on heat of steam. Heated water under pressure at 200PSI is 400 degrees hot. The steam in turn can be superheated to 750 degrees and more depending on the type of superheater unit. It is amazing that these old engines are still in place

The insulation on the pipes are in fact to keep the steam inside at a high temperature. If it loses temperature then it starts condensing back to water. It has nothing to do with not heating the room or not burning someone. It is entirely a matter of making the equipment run correctly

You are seeing an AMES Unaflow steam engine & generator. The AMES engines were built by AMES Ironworks of Oswego, NY and were commonplace in institutional powerplants. This type of engine took steam at 150 or 100 psi , expanded it in the cylinders (to make mechanical energy) and exhausted the steam at some lower pressure. In an institutional powerplant, the exhaust steam was used for building heating, making hot water, and for processes such as sterilizers, laundry, and cooking. The gnerator is an Alternating Current Generator. The plant was evidently laid up by the last crew to operate it, and looks to be in good shape.

Ames Iron Works was absorbed the Skinner Engine Company of Erie, PA in the 1960's or early 1970's. Skinner only went out of busines sin the past couple of years.

The eninge of this type has a totally enclosed crank-case, which has the vertically sloped sides. The cylinders are the box-like part above that. Steam at 200 psi would come to that engine at a temperature of ab out 283 degrees F, and exhaust would be well abouve 212 degrees F, so the cylinders were well insulated to prevent condensation.

Joe Michaels

I like how someone took the time to carefully cover them up for future re-use.

I'm just keepin' quiet.

Fascinating! Thanks for all the background info.

BEAUTIFUL! I OPERATED RECIPS ON THE GREAT LAKES IN THE '50'S. FOR OUTRIGHT
MANEUVERABILITY AND THROTTLE RESPONSE, RECIPS BEAT GEARED STEAM TURBINES BY A MILE! INCIDENTALLY, MY
FAVORITE STEAM MACHINE IS THE LOCOMOTIVE. I HAVE MORE RECIP TIME ON
MY LICENSE THAN ANY OTHER FORM OF
POWER.

It just awes me that such a beautiful place has hardly been touched [if touched at all] by mischeivious teenagers with spray paint cans.

Silly motts, that's an industrial sized soap dispenser

Joe Michaels, thank you for the info, you are obviously an expert.