The researchers were constantly nodding as the words of His Majesty echoed in their ears. However, there were some who wanted to understand not only the general direction but also insights into the deeper workings of the so-called engine His Majesty mentioned, but ultimately, they failed. Hey Ram was one of those people.
"How do atmospheric pressure and the power of steam go together, Your Majesty? Could you please enlighten us?" Unable to hold back his curiosity and confusion, he asked, with his forehead wrinkled like a dried-up riverbed. He thought His Majesty was going to improve the steam cannon he had invented, but it turned out he was overthinking it, and His Majesty wanted to build something called a steam Engine. But for the love of God, he could not understand how atmospheric pressure and steam go together.
Vijay was taken aback. 'Was I not clear enough?' he doubted himself. However, with a little thought and by looking at the confused expressions on the researchers' faces, he quickly understood that it was not a problem of him failing to express his idea. It was just that the idea completely went against the common sense of the people. Who would imagine atmospheric pressure could be used in conjunction with the power of steam to generate energy and do work? However, he didn't try to explain it any further, as it was likely to be futile. Instead, he looked at Naveen. "The copper boiler you guys used for your 1st prototype—where is it?" He was going to show the principle in practice.
Naveen wrinkled his brow in thought. "It should be in the storeroom, Your Majesty." Although he did not know why His Majesty asked this question, he still answered honestly.
Vijay nodded and motioned for someone to get it. Soon the boiler, under the curious eyes of everyone, was brought.
Vijay measured the thickness of the boiler and nodded in satisfaction. One reason he asked to bring the boiler from the initial prototype was because he read that a copper boiler of less than 2 millimetres thickness was used. It was perfect for what Vijay wanted to demonstrate.
Soon, Vijay began to pour a few litres of water into the boiler. Quickly, using coal as fuel and a blower as an oxygen source, the water began to boil, and steam began to escape from the lid. Vijay looked into the boiler and, noticing there was barely any water, he ordered the lid to be closed.
The researchers looked at each other, confused, as they did not know what His Majesty wanted to demonstrate.
"Cut the heat," Vijay ordered.
Then he took a jug of cold water in his hand.
Looking at everyone, he asked with a smile, "Now, if I pour the cold water on top of the boiler, what do you think will happen? Any guesses?"
Hey Ram's eyes suddenly lit up. He could see in his mind the picture of the steam within the boiler cooling down rapidly and turning into water due to the rapid drop in temperature. Then again, remembering the emphasis His Majesty placed on atmospheric pressure, the image of the boiler in his mind suddenly changed. He was startled. 'Will the boiler dent?' 'Haha, how is that possible?' He shook his head, immediately denying the thought. 'Even if the atmospheric pressure is great, how can a metal container not withstand air? I am thinking too much,' he even felt ridiculous for having the thought.
Hey Ram did not know how correct his guess was; unfortunately, his common sense clouded his rational judgment.
"Everyone knows that steam occupies more volume than water of the same weight. That means if water occupies one litre, steam occupies 1600 litres worth of volume. Water has an amazing expansion property, which is perfect for our experiment."
Vijay smiled and poured the water onto the boiler.
"Now, when the steam, which used to occupy over 1600 litres of space, suddenly disappears and turns into water, what is being replaced by the volume it once occupied?"
"Vacuum," Hey Ram responded.
"That's right, vacuum. And as we have already learned, the atmosphere does not like a vacuum."
"It exerts over 6.67 kilograms per square inch of force on objects. Now, what should happen to this boiler, which has a vacuum inside it?"
Hey Ram still refused to believe that atmospheric pressure could crush the boiler, but his rational thinking, where he calculated all the numbers and did all the simulations, made him come to only one conclusion: it should be crushed. 6.6 kilograms per square inch of pressure is no joke.
Just like that, the boiler gave in, and it suddenly became crushed by the pressure exerted by Mother Nature.
Exclamations were heard as all the researchers looked at the deformed boiler in shock and incredulity.
"The boiler will continue to deform either until the pressure is equalized or until the boiler gets so crumpled up that atmospheric pressure can no longer have any effect on the boiler."
Just like Vijay said, the collapse of the boiler went on for a few more seconds, but then it suddenly stopped.
"Now everyone has witnessed the power of atmospheric pressure."
"We are going to use the same principle to build an engine."
Vijay started to draw on the board
"The principle is simple: we build a chamber where steam is released, and suddenly cooled water is added to the steam, making it condense at a fast pace. The chamber is attached to a piston, and when the condensation happens, a small vacuum is created. The atmosphere should work its magic and apply pressure on the piston to move it into the chamber."
"The piston is connected to a hose, which will, in theory, suck the water out of the well."
"Then the cycle continues as the steam is reintroduced to the chamber. The piston goes back as steam expands inside the chamber, then the cold water is introduced and condensation happens."
"This mechanism should, in theory, create an engine that could suck out water from deep places for long periods, and without much human intervention. The only thing required is coal and water."
Hey Ram widened his eyes. "Amazing!!"
When he imagined and realized that the pressure of steam could be used to launch cannonballs, he thought that he had made some groundbreaking discovery. But now, thinking about the idea of His Majesty and witnessing how he planned to apply it, he realized that his idea was one-dimensional. He realized how shallow he was.
Compared to the steam engine His Majesty theorized, the steam cannon idea looked barbaric. Although he was a little disappointed in himself, he quickly put the negative thoughts out of his mind and became excited because the prospects His Majesty had shown were immense.
If the steam engine could pull water from inside the well, didn't it mean water could now be easily supplied to countless villages and towns where water is inaccessible?
What's more, could this water be used to run the water wheels?
Going further, could it be used to pump out water from mines?
His blood began to boil. He looked at His Majesty enthusiastically.
Looking at the surprised, excited, and enthusiastic expressions on everyone's faces, Vijay nodded in satisfaction; this was what he wanted to see. In fact, the design he proposed was the Newcomen steam engine which was invented by Thomas Newcomen, an English inventor, in the year 1712. Interestingly enough, it was Newcomen's steam engine that kicked off the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
Newcomen's steam engine was the first commercially viable steam engine that was rolled out on the market. It was used to pump out the water from within the mines, as mines used to get flooded with water when deep digging was done. So, with the launch of Newcomen's steam engine, the problem of water no longer existed, which allowed Britain to mine more coal resources than ever before. Since coal was the primary source of fuel for these steam engines, it created a healthy process where resources were used to build better machines, and machines were used to extract more resources.
Leading up to the Newcomen steam engine, there were many other machines that set up the foundation for the steam industry, but Vijay felt like he no longer had to go step by step like he did before. He had already led the development of the empire to a point where all sectors of life could now use a steam engine. So, he simply started with the Newcomen steam engine that could first be used to increase the production capabilities of mineral resources. Then, he could move on to develop better machines that could be used directly in the factories.
Completing the drawing on the board, Vijay started to point out its various components.
"The machine I have designed is made up of 13 main parts, namely: boiler, cylinder, piston, beam, pump rod, water pump, steam valves, cold water spray system, fulcrum, counterweight, condensate drain pipe, foundation support structures, and coal furnace. I need all of you to divide yourselves into 13 teams and research and build the part you have selected."
"Hey Ram, Naveen, you two will not join any team but will supervise and help out whenever any team is in need of help."
"And finally, rewards are indispensable."
Hey Ram and Naveen Bhatt immediately stood up and accepted the order. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
"Good. Let's begin the construction."