The cycles of the triple expansion steam engine.
Steam is delivered to the engine via a controll valve.Each engine operates
independantly. These have three cylinders, each larger than the one before.
The high-pressure steam enters the smallest cylinder
driving the piston, using some of its power and
expanding
in bulk. The "exhaust" from this cylinder then enters the next larger
one where it drives the
second larger piston, using
more power and
expanding again. The process is
repeated in the
third and largest cylinder, hence
the name 'Triple expansion engines". The
waste steam
is then returned to the
steam circuit via the
condenser.
