Reducing Cylinder Condensation (Missing Quantity) in Steam Engines Which measures effectively reduce cylinder condensation and associated missing quantity?

Introduction / Context:
“Cylinder condensation” (often observed as missing quantity on the indicator diagram) reduces the efficiency of steam engines. It occurs because metal surfaces cyclically absorb heat from incoming steam and release it during exhaust, causing partial condensation and re-evaporation. The question checks standard engineering strategies to mitigate this loss.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Saturated or slightly wet steam conditions.
• Conventional single or compound cylinder arrangements.
• Desire to reduce heat exchange losses at cylinder surfaces.

Concept / Approach:
Three proven measures help. Steam jacketing maintains cylinder walls at a higher, more uniform temperature, reducing cyclic condensation. Superheating the inlet steam raises its temperature above saturation, providing margin against condensation at metal surfaces. Splitting the overall expansion into multiple cylinders (small expansion ratio per cylinder in compounding) reduces temperature drop in each cylinder, limiting wall heat exchange reversals.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Use jacket steam: maintain hot walls → less condensation during admission.Superheat inlet: higher inlet temperature → stronger resistance to wall-induced condensation.Compounding: lower expansion ratio per cylinder → reduced temperature swing per cylinder.

Verification / Alternative check:
Indicator diagrams before/after jacketing or superheating show reduced loop distortions and improved mean effective pressure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Each individual step contributes; combined, they yield the best reduction. Therefore “all of the above” is correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Using only high insulation while ignoring steam quality and compounding strategy.

Final Answer:
all of the above