FIG. 68.—Ansonia Compressed-Air Sewage Ejector. ]
Alternating current motors are more generally used than direct-current motors because of the greater economy of transmission of alternating current, but where direct current is available constant speed shunt wound motors should be adopted.
In the selection of a motor to drive a centrifugal pump it is important that the motor have not only the requisite power, but that its speed will develop the maximum efficiency from the pump and motor combined. If the pump and motor operate on the same shaft the speed of the two machines must be the same. If the two are belt connected, the size of the pulleys may be selected so as to give the required speed. If the motor is to be connected to a power pump an adequate automatic pressure relief valve should be provided on the discharge pipe from the pump, to prevent the overloading of the motor or bursting of the pump in case of a sudden stoppage in the pipe. The motor must be selected to suit the conditions of voltage, cycle, and phase on the line. Transformers are available to step the voltage up or down to practically any value. Rotary converters are used to change direct to alternating current or vice versa.
=85. Internal Combustion Engines.=—Internal combustion engines are used for driving pumps. Units are available in size from fractions of 1 horse-power to 2,000 horse-power or more, although the use of the larger sizes is exceptional. These engines are not commonly used for sewage pumping but when used they are ordinarily belt connected to a centrifugal pump, or to an electric generator which in turn drives electric motors which operate centrifugal pumps. This type of engine is more commonly adapted to small loads, although not entirely confined to this field, as they serve admirably as emergency units to supplement an electrically equipped pumping station. The fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines is higher than for steam engines as is indicated in Table 30, but the fuel is more expensive.
The four-cycle gas engine shown in Fig. 69 is the type most commonly used. Its horse-power is the product of: the mean effective pressure, the length of the stroke, the area of the piston, and the number of explosions per second divided by 550. The M.E.P. is dependent on the character of the fuel used and the compression of the gas before ignition. Producer gas will furnish mean effective pressures between 60 and 70 pounds per square inch, natural gas and gasoline, 85 to 90 pounds per square inch, and alcohol from 95 to 110 pounds per square inch.