"B" Station Turbine Hall

Installed in 1938, this two-stage steam jet air ejector was used to remove air from the steam condenser before the turbine was started. Once running, it stayed on continuously to get rid of any small air leaks and keep the vacuum strong so the steam could expand efficiently. To save energy, warm water from the extraction pump passed through heat exchangers linked to each stage of the ejector, helping to recover heat from the steam.

 

The rising stem hand wheel valve located on the left side of the Steam Jet Ejectors is marked on the back as “No.1 Eject Condensate Outlet.”

 

Steam Jet Ejector Gauge Board

This panel was used by power station operators to monitor the steam pressures and vacuum levels in different parts of the steam ejector system:

• Primary Steam – The main high-pressure steam used to power the ejectors.

• Secondary Steam/Vacuum – The steam and vacuum conditions within the stages of the ejector system.

• Condenser Vacuum – The vacuum level at the turbine’s exhaust, which was important for efficiency.

 

The large hole in the centre, just above the label STEAM FLOW, most likely once held a circular chart recorder (such as a Speedomax), which would have continuously logged steam flow readings.

 

The smaller round holes were for pressure gauges with the following labels:

• SEC CON VAC – Secondary Condenser Vacuum

• SEC GEN – Secondary Generator

• PRIM STEAM – Primary Steam Pressure

• SEC STEAM – Secondary Steam Pressure

• INTER CON VAC – Inter-condenser Vacuum

 

Under the panel are four hand wheel-operated globe valves, which were manufactured by C. A. Parsons, a well-known British engineering company.