BIG engines you say?

[Craig A]

Get a load of THESE engines which are in daily use in the natural gas pumping stations!!
Here's the info from a friend who designs stuff for the industry.....and WE are getting in the act!
He says:

All these engines are fueled by natural gas and are spark ignited. They are low compression ratio, typically 7 or 8 to one. The gas compressors typically take the gas in at 600 PSIG and discharge it at 950 PSIG. On the pipeline, there are compressor stations every 100 miles or so and they typically have 20,000 BHP per station. Engine sizes range from 12,000 BHP to 2,000 BHP typically

The first three pictures are a horizontal engine. Two power cylinders in series. The natural gas compressor is at the flywheel end. 120 RPM and 1,200 BHP I think. I also think the flywheel is 18’ Diameter.

Image 6 is a Clark two stroke, 250 RPM, V-16, 500 BHP per cylinder. This engine is turbocharged. Gas compressors are shown on the side (horizontal)

Image 26 is a V-16 KVR by Ingersoll Rand, 4 stroke, 330 RPM, 500 BHP per cylinder. This engine is turbocharged. Again, this is the gas compressor side (usually the gas compressors are on just one side of the engine so as to allow easier access to the crankcase.)

Image 28 is the same engine as in 26, but the non-compressor side.

[Craig A]

SOME of these engines are not the typical "antique" but NONE of them are exactly new either.
Wouldn't it be fun to actually SEE and HEAR them?

[e2cub]

You can see two similiar engines run at Rollag, MN in Sept. They are sure impressive. Larry

[Craig A]

I have seen the engines at Rollag but one biggy was in a pile yet when I was there, the year Hart Parr and Oliver were featured.
But THESE engines are in daily service running 24/7....that's what's so fascinating.
Craig

[Don Selmer]

Craig, The " BIG 600 H.P. SNOW " engine at Rollag has been running for a few years now. Jim Keats is one of the main operaters for that engine. Here are a few of main specs. of the engine.

[Don Selmer]

*140 tons total weight *67 feet long including the compressor *operating speed 80 to 90 rpm * Main frame casting weighs 37 tons * Flywheel weighs 24 tons & is 18 feet in dia. * Crankshaft weighs 12 tons & is 16" in dia. *Bore is 24" & Stroke is 48" 39,600 cubic inch displacement *two clyinders with ignition at both ends of the stroke= EVERY STROKE IS A POWER STROKE

[Harry]

YouTube:



You can also find a movie clip of the Snow on this page:

http://www.old-engine.com/image/roll.../snow-clip.wmv

http://www.old-engine.com/rollag.htm

[Craig A]

Here's a link to some REALLY big engines--built for ships in J A P A N
Don't know why Colt couldn't build 'em!!!

http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsshb/12cyl/

[Bryan Brooks]

Craig, I have been in several of these buildings and they are pretty loud. A constant level whining sound. Outside is not bad as the engines have giant mufflers. Many of these compressor stations are being converted to tubine power for noise reduction and lower running costs. A new 30" natural gas pipe line is going to pass under the ranch just south of us as it runs from near Decatur, Texas to Texarkana (about 250 miles). The big question the pipeline company will not answer yet is where the compressor stations will be located and what will power them. Nobody wants the stations near them.

[Steve Adams]

The largest engine I have seen in person is the one at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. It's hard to belive they would need 9 of them! Just being able to put your hand on such a spectacular piece of equipment is an incredible thrill. It gives you goosebumps when you think about the changes that occurred in the world due to the presence of these engines.

[Ray Cardoza]

Hey Craig

I think this one out weighs you'res here is a link to it. Check out the crankshaft and piston assembly. I wonder how they make rings that big!

http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsshb/12cyl/

[Ray Cardoza]

Ignor e the link I didnt see that Craig all ready posted it.

[Skippy1969]

That is simply awesome!!Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Donaldson]

Originally Posted by Craig Anderson

Here's a link to some REALLY big engines--built for ships in J A P A N
Don't know why Colt couldn't build 'em!!!

http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsshb/12cyl/

There is an electrical power plant in Sebring, Florida that has two six cylinder versions of these engines. They supply stand by power when Tampa Electric needs it. I was lucky enough to be at the plant when one of the engines was running in early 90's. The engine is allowed to flex so to elleviate stress. I was able to stand at one end and watch as the middle portion of the engine moved up and down a small amount. The power plant is a stones though away from the Sebring International Raceway.

Dan Donaldson

[Craig A]

Just so people can get an idea of how big these types of engines actually ARE, a customer for whom we are doing some prototype work brought in a connecting rod bearing half.
IF I can remember my CAMERA I'll get a pic of it tomorrow!
It's BIG.
I REMEMBERED!
This Aluminunum rod bearing half fits a 16" journal.

[Robert Pence]

There are several big Cooper-Bessemer horizontal engines in the Edgerton Compressor Station east of Fort Wayne, Indiana, but I don't think they are in use any more. I got permission to take some photos in 1962 when they were in service:



There are several more photos from Edgerton Compressor Station here

[BDMelon]

we have a pumping station just down the road ,,which have 3- v-6 giants
that pump natural gas, dad used to work their, when i was a lad, we walk through the inside of one, WOW, never forget that . pistons weight in at 300.lbs each

melon

[agsem]

We have some of these large engines, but not yet operational. In the left pic you can see the partially completed concrete foundation where they will live.

www.agsem.com
Thanx,
Greg Hayden

[Bill Anderson]

Wow!! I do like the big stuff, no matter how new it is. Our local power plant installed two V-20 Cooper-bessemers in the 90's and its fun to stop in when they are running or not.

Every time I see a large engine, especially the really old big ones, I think, How big was the machine tools that built these engines. I mean how big is the boring machine or the crankshaft lathe. They had to be big enough to make the parts accurate! Below is a link to Mest Machine that lets you know how big.



Love the big engines

Bill

[Bill Anderson]

I can't seem to get this link thing to work for me today , Just search for Mesta Machine Company in Western PA.

Its worth the look

Bill