WYNDHAM MEATWORKS SULZER AIR BLAST INJECTION DIESEL ENGINE

This model 4K-65 blas injected disel engine was manufactured in 1914 by Sulzer Bros of Germant. It was installed int he Wyndhams Meatworks in 1915. Fully commissioned in 1919 the engine ran each year for six months continuously from May to October which was the killing period at the abattoir. The engine was decommissioned in July 1971 after 52 years of service. The engine provided power throughout this period except for 1921 when it was shut down owing to a general strike and then in 1942, 1943 and 1944 when the meatworks were closed because of World War II.

The engine was required to provide the power to drive ten, 100mm sisal rope belts. Each belt was 103 metres long and drove a flywheel rotating at 60rpm. The flywheel was connected to 150 tonne Werner refrigeration compressor having a single double acting 0.6m diameter piston with a one metre stroke. Fitted with reversing gear an air starting system and raw water cooling with its own three stage air compressor, the engine was operated independently of other auxilary equipment.

This 375 bhp vertical 4 cylinder air blast injection engine serial numbers 3265, 3267, 3269 and 3268 was installed in the Wyndham Meatworks Power Station and rope-driven coupled to an ammonia compressor and DC generator. The machine is complete with injection air compressor, mechanical lubricator, 2015mm diameter flywheel and 1200mm diameter 12 groove vee belt pulley drive. The engine was capable of being operated on 200 Second Redwood Diesel fuel oil and air for injecting this fuel is provided by the compressor attached to the free end of the engine.