瓦特构思独立冷凝器的科学背景

The Scientific Background of James Watt's Conception of the Separate Condenser

关于詹姆斯·瓦特为纽可门蒸汽机新增独立冷凝器这一构思背后是否有科学因素介入,罗比森的“潜热理论启发”说和麦克莱伦第三的“与科学无关”说等观点都有各自的缺陷。根据最新的科学史研究,18世纪欧洲浓厚的科学传播氛围是瓦特进入蒸汽机改良领域必不可少的环境因素;师从布莱克教授,瓦特在构思新增独立冷凝器这一关键改良工作中遵循现代科学的精神,反复进行定量化的实验操作;同时,瓦特从属的苏格兰热化学传统在独立冷凝器的构思中也起到了至关重要的作用。

As to whether there were scientific factors behind James Watt's conception of adding a separate condenser to the Newcomen steam engine,Robison's argument of“latent heat theory inspired”and McClellan III's argument of“science-independent”both have their own flaws.On the basis of the latest research,the strong scientific atmosphere in Europe in the 18th century was an essential environmental factor for Watt's entry into the field of steam engine improvement.Studied with Professor Black,Watt followed the spirit of modern science and repeatedly conducted quantitative experiments in the conception of the new separate condenser,which was a key improvement.Meanwhile,the Scottish thermochemical tradition to which Watt belongs also played a crucial role in Watt's conception.