I am an industrial worker during the War of Resistance

Chapter 59 The Beginning of True Industrial Electrification

The discovery of molybdenite was a decisive help to Chen Changzai.

Moreover, the appearance of this molybdenite was very timely.

So he simply abandoned his original design for a water-cooled dual-purpose machine gun barrel transition scheme.

Although this solution is usable.

However, it appears quite out of place when compared to tungsten-nickel-molybdenum alloys.

However, to extract molybdenum and tungsten from molybdenite, one more crucial element is needed.

That's electrical energy, and a considerable amount of it.

At least 100 kilowatts of electricity from generators are needed to barely power the small-scale production of molybdenum and tungsten.

But coincidentally, Chen Changzai now has electricity.

After the 500-ton forging press officially started operating.

Apart from the forged heavy machine gun barrel.

Its main task is to forge two types of shafts.

One type is the main shaft of a 100-kilowatt generator.

Another option is to forge a crankshaft for a 6-cylinder, 135mm bore, inline diesel engine.

After Chen Changzai's engine factory produced its first single-cylinder diesel engine...

They have never stopped their research and development work on high-power diesel engines.

Although it was fraught with difficulties.

Whether it's the high-pressure bearing material, the technical difficulty of the integrated high-pressure pump, or the cylinder block casting.

This is all thanks to the hair lost by countless people staying up all night.

However, these are very difficult things for engine manufacturers.

However, with the blueprints and technical support provided by Chen Changzai, they were able to overcome these challenges.

However, the crankshaft that needs to withstand enormous impact and torque cannot be solved by that 150-ton forging press alone.

Even if we manage to forcibly hammer out this crankshaft, without high-strength alloy steel, it would be nothing more than a mere decoration.

Chen Changzai had also considered using the smelting method of ductile iron to cast ductile iron crankshafts.

However, its strength is still insufficient to meet the crankshaft requirements of the 6135 diesel engine.

Later generations wanted to use ductile iron crankshafts in the 6135 diesel engine to ensure high strength and high toughness.

Rare earth magnesium alloy is used.

Obtaining rare earth magnesium alloys requires a massive amount of electrical energy.

But back then, let alone massive amounts of electricity, Chen Changzai didn't even dare to use electric lights.

Besides, Chen Changzai doesn't even have pure magnesium.

He couldn't even find quartz magnesium oxide here.

In later generations, rare earth magnesium deposits were discovered in the area now controlled by the team, and the reserves were quite substantial.

But without a massive amount of electricity, nothing is useful.

In later generations, the tens of thousands of watt-hours of electricity consumed would only be considered low energy consumption in industry.

However, at present, before large generator sets and power plants have been built.

A demand for tens of thousands of watt-hours of electricity is an impossible luxury to meet.

Therefore, Chen Changzai could only wait patiently for the forging press to complete its shape.

All the engine parts, except for the crankshaft, had already been prepared.

Although a 500-ton forging press could not completely forge the high-quality crankshafts that were forged using a 3,600-ton forging press in later generations, it was still not possible.

However, under the current conditions, this crankshaft is still usable.

Once the crankshaft was in place, the high-powered diesel engine began its formal assembly.

Because it was the first time assembling a six-cylinder, high-power diesel engine, the process was relatively slow.

However, there is one advantage.

That is, this high-powered diesel engine also uses a 135mm cylinder bore.

It has the same cylinder diameter as the currently mature single-cylinder diesel engine.

Some parts are interchangeable.

For example, pistons and cylinder liners, connecting rods and bearings.

As for assembling this engine, Chen Changzai did not personally participate in the process, except for providing some technical support.

It was entirely completed by the experienced mechanics from the engine factory and Chen Changzai's students.

Just like the twin 37mm anti-aircraft guns, they were the homework of students who followed Chen Changzai to learn gun manufacturing.

This 6135 diesel engine is the assignment that students studying engine manufacturing need to complete.

Aside from the engine side, the electrochemists, who had been relatively unknown since its inception, can finally hold their heads high.

Because the assembly of their first 100-kilowatt generator has been completed.

Ever since Commander Chen brought back the copper mine, the students under him who were learning electrification under Chen Chang let out all the pent-up frustration they had accumulated over the past year.

For more than a year, these electrical engineering students have had to start learning from theory because they don't have copper.

Then other materials are used to simulate the manufacturing and operation of generators and electric motors.

During this period, whether it is the casting of generator housings or the rolling of silicon steel sheets.

It's still the same winding method for the rotor and stator.

They are all constantly learning and exploring.

They also studied the basic electrical theories that Chen Changzai taught them with great enthusiasm.

From the basics of electromagnetism, electrical machinery, circuit theory, control theory, thermodynamics, and mechanics of materials.

These generators and electric motors share the same fundamental theory.

After classification, the topics include power system analysis of generators, operating theory of synchronous motors, and excitation control principles.

Power electronics technology for electric motors, fundamentals of motor drives, and variable frequency speed control theory.

They studied and understood these most basic theoretical concepts every day, never daring to relax for a single day, so that these things could be completely integrated into their minds.

Although they do not yet have finished generators and electric motors in their hands.

But in their minds, generators and electric motors were already running.

The reason these students worked so hard is because they lacked copper and qualified spindles.

That's because Chen Changzai once told them, "Electrification is the future of this world."

The world was marked by the great development of the steam engine, which gave rise to the first industrial wave.

But our country was swept away by this wave.

That's why the world's powers dare to bully us now.

Only the Japanese dared to invade our Northeast and even dreamed of opening their bloody mouths on our entire country.

Now, the world has entered the second industrial wave, represented by the development of internal combustion engines and electricity.

This time, we absolutely cannot be left behind by this second wave of industrialization.

We must catch up desperately.

We must be at the forefront of this industrial revolution in order to be worthy of standing on equal footing with the world's great powers.

Only then will they listen to us attentively.

Only then will they dare not easily take up arms against us again.

So, students, although we have limited resources right now, that is not a reason for us to give up.

This, on the contrary, is a whetstone for us to hone our skills.

The materials will come eventually.

But we can't wait until we have all the materials before we start learning about, understanding, and controlling electricity.

We must begin making all our preparations now, until we have the materials.

You can then establish our electrical industry in the shortest possible time.

Keep up the good work, students!

Chen Changzai's words ignited the passion of all the electrical engineering students.

They study hard every day, always striving to get the first generator running once they have the necessary materials.

The first electric motor starts the machinery.

So when Commander Chen brought back the first cartload of copper...

The first small generator powered by a steam engine produced its first kilowatt-hour of electricity.

The first small electric motor had already started the first medium-sized lathe.

This is thanks to the hard work of the electrical engineering students and the contributions of the chemistry lab.

Because whether it's insulating varnish, phenolic resin-based bakelite, or synthetic rubber like nitrile rubber used for cable insulation.

These are all results from a chemistry lab.

Finally, after that 500-ton forging press forged the main shaft of the 100-kilowatt generator.

Driven by a large steam engine, a medium-sized 100-kilowatt generator finally enabled the Wujiabao Industrial Base to take its most solid step in electrification.

Once the 6135 diesel engine is completed and it forms a complete generator set with this 100-kilowatt generator, then...

With Chen Changzai around, he can ensure that the entire team's control area is powered.

No longer will they be unable to move due to the large size of the steam engine.

　Thank you to all my friends who have supported me.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)