Chapter 269 In the 18th century, the most important thing was talent!
"You have done a very good job." Joseph looked at Murdoch and expressed his praises. "Your effective work has brought much-needed irrigation water to hundreds of parishes and driven a large number of mills, making them It was still usable even when the river froze last winter.
"You and the United Steam Engine Company are widely praised by all Frenchmen, including me. In fact, I admire you more than anyone else."
He may be exaggerating, but Murdoch certainly deserves the praise.
In just half a year, he helped the United Steam Engine Company complete a complete production line of steam engines. So far, the LJ15 15-horsepower steam engine produced has been very mature, and the failure rate is very close to that of Watt's similar products.
Moreover, at Joseph's request, Murdoch also completed the compactization of the LJ15. Not counting the water tank and other accessories, it can be dragged around the world with a donkey cart. At this point, he even surpasses Watt.
Facts have proved that he was not bragging at first and that he was indeed one of the world's top technicians.
Murdoch's face glowed with the praise, and he immediately touched his chest and bowed: "I am extremely honored to receive your recognition. Please believe that I will definitely bring the United Steam Engine Company to an even more glorious peak!"
He paused and raised his voice: "That will be brilliant beyond the Bolton-Watt Company!"
Joseph wanted to laugh a little when he heard this. How deep should this technician's resentment towards Watt be?
He suddenly had a naughty idea. If he painted a contour oil painting of Watt with a stern face and hung it in Murdoch's office, would it improve the latter's work efficiency by several percent?
Sandel on the side continued: "Your Highness, we are actually on the way to surpass."
He and Murdoch looked at each other: "The prototype of our latest high-pressure steam engine LJ26H completed the test two months ago. It has been working continuously for more than 60 hours and the power has reached 26 horsepower!"
"Great!" Although Joseph had heard this news before, he was still very happy to hear it again. High-pressure steam engines are the future direction and are a tool that can truly improve thermal efficiency.
And higher thermal efficiency means consuming less coal and doing more!
Due to Watt's conservatism and stubbornness, he has been unwilling to accept high-pressure steam engines, so France has already gone ahead of Britain in this field.
Murdoch added: "Your Highness, we have basically completed the mass production preparations for LJ26H, and we expect to start production and sale early next month."
While he was talking, the rail car had arrived in front of the main entrance of the United Steam Engine Company.
Joseph wanted to see the latest model of high-pressure steam engine, so he got off the car here.
There was a busy and lively scene in the company. Craftsmen were constantly moving materials into the work shed, and the sound of clanking and banging metal was everywhere - the machinery of this era was still mainly built by hand.
Of course, there are also the harsh "sizzling" sounds made by drilling machines and milling machines, which combine with the shouts of workers, forming a rough and high-pitched movement belonging to the steam age.
The workers just glanced at the group of gorgeously dressed visitors with curiosity, and then continued their work under the urging of the supervisor.
Most of them were recruited in the past six months and have never met His Highness the Crown Prince.
Murdoch took Joseph to the "Second Assembly Yard" on the east side of the company. There was a steam engine about one person tall, obviously larger than the LJ15, and several craftsmen were busy around it.
After Murdoch heard the news that the Crown Prince was coming, he asked people to start burning the boiler. At this time, he stepped forward to look at the pressure gauge, asked the craftsman next to him a few words, and then started to operate it himself.
More than ten minutes later, LJ26H sprayed out a cloud of white smoke and the piston began to move slowly.
The huge iron wheel used as a load began to spin, faster and faster as coal continued to be added to the furnace. Murdoch looked at the machine that was running smoothly, and proudly turned to Joseph and said: "Your Highness, after we have reliable high-pressure steam engine technology, John and I plan to enlarge it and strive to build a monster with more than 50 horsepower. 'come out!"
After the high-pressure steam engine technology matures, the difficulty of enlarging it is not too high. It mainly involves the casting and pressure testing of boilers, cylinders, etc., and the redesign of valves and the like.
When Joseph heard this, he was immediately moved.
You know, if the output power of the steam engine can reach 100 horsepower, then if three to four machines are installed at the same time, it can drive the warships of this era!
It doesn’t even need such a high power, and if it goes a little further and reaches about 70 horsepower, it will be a qualified paddle steamer power for inland waterway shipping.
That would be a transportation revolution!
Although paddle steamers are far less exaggerated in promoting productivity than trains, in Western Europe with dense inland waterways, this improvement is also very obvious.
If it is merged into the Rhine River Channel, large quantities of French goods can be transported to the German region for sale at extremely low freight rates.
This will bring huge profits to France!
However, after repeated weighing, Joseph decided to put the large high-pressure steam engine aside temporarily.
The Murdoch had other important uses—gaslight was perhaps less powerful than a paddle steamer, but it was also much simpler and more effective.
Joseph couldn't help but sigh, it would be nice if there were more people like Murdoch.
Unfortunately, I only picked up one.
He raised his hand and pressed down, interrupting Murdoch's passion: "Actually, I have something very important that I need you to do as soon as possible."
"Ah? Okay, please do as you please."
Joseph motioned for him to enter the office next to him, closed the door to isolate the noise of the steam engine, and then said: "I plan to install gas street lights for all the streets in Paris. Yes, it is the combustible gas generated from coal as you mentioned. We You can use it to light up street lights.”
Although Murdoch wanted to build his large steam engine more, he couldn't help but become interested when he heard about lighting up all the streets in Paris.
"But, Your Highness, I have the technology to distill coal to obtain gas here. Oh, I also applied for a patent in Paris, but there is no suitable lamp that can use it yet."
"This requires you to show your talent." Joseph smiled, "I believe this will not be difficult for you."
He said to himself that he only needs to let you come up with your invention two or three years early, and if the bonus is enough, then it should be fine, right?
"I have some ideas..." Murdoch rubbed his hands subconsciously, thought for a moment, raised his head and said, "Okay, Your Highness, I will build this thing as soon as possible!"
Joseph nodded with satisfaction: "I will set up a gas lamp company. I can buy your patent, or you can use the patent to invest in shares. Oh, the investment in the company is about 3 million livres."
(End of chapter)