The video was taken on March 22, 2010 when I took students from a Scientific Inquiry course to learn about how electricity is generated. Mr. Conrad Milster, the chief engineer at the facility who started his career there in 1950's, kindly showed us around and diligently introduced the history of the power plant and the physics behind a steam turbine engine. The steam turbines were built by GE and installed in the basement of the building in 1907. To our amazement, these century-old engines were running just as good as one can expect from a perfect working condition. The steam was not so heavy as to fill the room. Rather, it emitted intermittent light mist to warm up the room nicely in a winter day. Indeed, the steam in winter seasons used to be recovered to heat the buildings, and 2/3 of the heating needs of the school were met by these engines back in those days when the power plant was in full operation. These engines produce DC electricity. As the AC won the battle of electricity distribution system, they gradually phased out in 1970's from providing electricity to the school. Each engine has a power output of 75 kW and 120V in voltage.
Tags: Steam engine, Pratt Institute, energy, science