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This topic is inspired by a contribution by Calliban in early October 2025.
It is available for NewMars members who might like to contribute links, images or text to help build up a collection on this subject.
While it appears that engines of this type are inefficient, the water that is used would otherwise be wasted entirely.
An engine of this type requires availability of both hot and cold water.
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This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.
Index:
Post #3: Link to Wikipedia article on Atmospheric Engines
Post #4: Link to post by Calliban about them
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This post is reserved for a link to Wikipedia about Atmospheric Engines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcomen_ … m%20engine.
I note that the animation that attempts to show the flows of the Newcomen engine is inaccurate. The valve to the cold water supply is not moving.
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This post offers a link to the post where Calliban reminded us of the atmospheric engine, in the context of it's ability to convert low thermal energy heat to mechanical motion, albeit it with low efficiency.
https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 61#p234661
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The low efficiency of an atmospheric pressure steam engine (5-15%) makes the concept unsuitable for most power applications. But as part of a combined heat and power system, in which the rejected heat has practical use, the economics of the system look better.
"Plan and prepare for every possibility, and you will never act. It is nobler to have courage as we stumble into half the things we fear than to analyse every possible obstacle and begin nothing. Great things are achieved by embracing great dangers."
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