JOULE, J.P. (JAMES PRESCOTT) - ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTENT IMPROVEMENTS OF THE STEAM-ENGINE.

On the Surface-condensation of Steam. Received October 10, - Read December 13, 1860.

(London, Taylor and Francis, 1862). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1862 - Vol. 151. Pp. 133-160, 1 large textillustration.

First appearance of Joule's paper in which he describes his importent improvement of the Steam-Engine, using the principles of the first law of thermodynamics which he himself helped to establish.

"In addition, numerous other researches stand to Joules credit -- the work done in compressing gases and the thermal changes they undergo when forced under pressure through small apertures (with Lord Kelvin), the change of volume on solution, the change of temperature produced by the longitudinal extension and compression of solids, etc. It was during the experiments involved by the first of these inquiries that Joule was incidentally led to appreciate the value of surface condensation in increasing the efficiency of the steam engine. A new form of condenser was tested on the small engine employed, and the results it yielded formed the starting-point of a series of investigations which were aided by a special grant from the Royal Society, and were described in an elaborate memoir presented to it on the 13th of December 1860 (the paper offered). His results, according to Kelvin, led directly and speedily to the present practical method of surface-condensation, one of the most important improvements of the steam engine, especially for marine use, since the days of James Watt. Joule died at Sale on the 11th of October 1889."(NNDB)

Order-nr.: 47108