Van der Kerchove generator set

  1. Device identification

Name: Van der Kerchove steam generator set

Location: Higher Technical School of Engineering, ETSI. Southwest of the main façade.

Origin/History: From 1924 to 1968 the machine was used for the production of electrical energy at the Monzón Sugar Factory - de Cinca - (Huesca). During the period 1968-1972 it generated energy at the Guadalete Sugar Factory in Jerez de La Frontera.

The generating set was going to be exhibited as a Technical Monument in the Pavilion of Discoveries at the Universal Exhibition in Seville in 1992, but after the fire, it was installed outside, next to the Navigation Pavilion, where it remained practically abandoned and without maintenance for many years. In 2008, the Cajasol Foundation transferred it by agreement, for its restoration and relocation, to the Official College of Engineers of Western Andalusia (COIIAOC). Transferred to the ETSI, it was restored by its technicians, and on December 9, 2009 it was officially reinstalled in its current location, on a pedestal and surrounded by a protective fence.

  1. Technical characteristics

Measurements: 4 x 12 meters approx.

Material: Cast Iron (Cast) / Forged Steel / Alloy

Use: The generating set converted the reciprocating motion of the steam engine into electricity by rotating the flywheel mounted on a crankshaft within the magnetic field of the generator.

General description: The steam engine and electric power generator is a clear exponent of the latest moments of steam technology applied to the production of electricity through the use of the turbine system. It is therefore a singular example of technological change and an important example of electrical technology.

  1. Cataloging-Documentation

Date: 1920

Manufacturer/Brand: Van der Kerchove Workshops, Ghent (Machine). Charleroi electromechanical workshops (Alternator). Inscription on the machine: “Constructions Electriques de Belgique”

Country: Belgium

Serial No. and Model: Not stated

Technical description: The machine has an open steam cycle and is made up of two double-acting horizontal pistons provided with a Corliss valve system. The steam enters through the upper holes of the piston, and the exit to the exhaust pipe through the side ducts, regulated by a manual seat valve.

Machine characteristics: Crankshaft : 105 rpm / Steam engine pressure: 16 Kg/cm2

Alternator characteristics: Working voltage: 500 V three-phase at 50 HZ / Power: 1,200 KVA / Rotor with 56 salient poles whose winding is not preserved / Stator wound in 2 layers

Overall weight: 166,000 Kgs

Isometric view of the assembly / View of subassemblies / Exploded view of the Alternator / Assembly of the steam engine (Author of the plans: F. Menacho Valle – ETSI Final Year Project cited in the final Bibliography)

  1. Conservation status: Good
     
  2. Observations:
    1. The Van der Kerchove steam generator set is a testimony of our cultural and industrial heritage, being included in the Movable Heritage database of Andalusia (Code 185663) . It is also part of the Historical-Artistic Heritage of the University of Seville ( Catalog No.: 1772-MAQ .)
    2. In Spain, only 3 machines similar to the one described are preserved: In the National Museum of Science and Technology in Madrid, in the San Ildefonso Farm in Segovia (Royal mechanical sawmill of the Montes de Valsain) and in Motril.
    3. There are 2 plates attached to the pedestal on which the generating set is located (image 2). The first of them, dated April 1992, is titled “Steam Generating Set” and provides information on the use, the technical characteristics of the machine and the alternator, the overall weight and the services provided by it. The second plaque, with the date December 9, 2009 – the date of its inauguration by the Mayor of Seville -, describes how it was recovered and valued by the COIIAOC, in collaboration with the Cajasol Foundation and the Higher School of Engineers of Seville .
    4. The Van der Kerchove steam generator set is also known as “The Steam Engine”.
       
  3. Bibliography and Sources / More information:

– Industrial Heritage Foundation of Andalusia (FUPIA). Inaugurated the Van der Kerchove steam engine recently recovered by the College of Industrial Engineers and Cajasol . Available at: http://www.fupia.es/intervenciones-realizada/ [Consulted: 10-19-2016]

– ———-. From scrap to museum piece. 20 Apr. 2010. Available at: http://www.fupia.es/de-chatarra-a-pieza-de-museo/ [Accessed: 10-20-2016]

– Engineers recover unique Belgian steam engine made in 1920 [online]. Blog Expo'92 Seville . Dec 10 2009. Available at: http://opcional-bermudo.blogspot.com.es/2009/12/ingenieros-recupera-una-maquina-de.html [Accessed: 03-26-2019]

– Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage. Movable Heritage of Andalusia. Van de Kerchove steam generator set . Code: 185663. Available at: https://guiadigital.iaph.es/bien/mueble/185663/sevilla/sevilla/grupo-electrogeno-a-vapor-van-der-kerchove [Consultation: 10-28-2024]

– JIMÉNEZ ALBARRÁN, MJ; LASTRA GONZÁLEZ, I.; MARTÍN LATORRE, RM Industrial instruments. In Manual of documentation of movable heritage (Arenillas Torrejón, JA, Martínez Montiel, Luis F., coord.). Seville: Ministry of Education, Innovation, Science and Employment [etc.], 2014, pp. 287-301

– Steam engine [online]. Esa Sevilla Blog , July 5, 2010. Available at: http://esasevilla.blogspot.com.es/2010/07/maquina-de-vapor.html [Consulted: 10-10-2016]

– The steam engine is moved to the ESI . Expo'92.es. Available at: http://www.expo92.es/foro/mensaje.php?id=626&pag=0 [Consulted: 03-26-2019]

– * MENACHO VALLE, Francisco. GE Van der Kerchove:  animation, plans and description of operation . Final Year Project ETSI, Dept. of Graphic Engineering. 2014. Unedited document. Available at: https://biblus.us.es/bibing/proyectos/abreproy/5342/fichero/01-GE+Van+der+Kerchove+-+animacion%2C+planos+y+descripcion+de+functioning.pdf [ Consultation: 10-28-2024]

– * NEPHEW SIMAL, Julián. Report on the historical heritage value of the Van der Kerchove Steam Generator Set located at the Seville Expo. February 10, 2007. In Project for the recovery and conservation of the Van der Kerchove steam generator set . Official College of Industrial Engineers of Western Andalusia, 2007, Annex II. Unedited document.

– University of Seville. Historical-artistic heritage of the University of Seville. Steam generator set . Catalog No. 1770-MAQ. Available at: https://www.patrimonioartistico.us.es/catalogo/1880/grupo-electrogeno-de-vapor [Consulted 10-28-2024]

Pelton Impeller