This is a Sturtevant gas plant blower at Westonzoyland Pumping Station museum. It was used to boost the pressure of towns gas (coal gas) at a nearby gas works. These fans had to run for long periods with a minimum of attention and supply air at pressures beyond the capacities of ordinary centrifugal fans.

The requirements of a water gas generator necessitated an impeller with special characteristics so that if the volume required is reduced, the pressure would not rise above a predetermined figure although the speed might remain constant.

The box on top of the inlet pipe is the lub/seal oil reservoir, pressurised via a small pipe from the blower discharge. The discharge pressure was regulated by controlling the speed, the pressure acting on the underside of a diaphragm which, via links and levers, determined the opening of the turbine throttle valve.

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