This thesis traces the development of coal fired boiler plant from the
experimental installations of the early 18th century to the 1965 design at
Drax power station, this being the largest coal fired boiler at present
installed in Britain. From 1875 the main line of boiler development has been
for use on power stations, so from this period I have confined my studies to
boiler development and its relationships within the Electricity Supply Industry.
The study is not intended to be an economic history although economic factors
have been considered at various stages, rather it is a history of developments
in boiler technology. The main question under examination is, "What factors
affected these developments?" and the answers to this question have provided
the underlying structure of this thesis. The thesis shows how the electrical
needs of the economy, widespread developments in technology, and financial
considerations have enabled the coal fired boiler to remain the most important
way of generating power [... continues].
A Master’s Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy of Loughborough University.