Bethlehem Gas Blowing Engines History

In the first three decades of the last century The Bethlehem Steel Company at their South Bethlehem plant installed a set of reciprocating gas powered blowing engines to provide the air blast to the blast furnace department.  The installation was one of several installed at various steel plants in the United States during that time period.  This technology was more efficient than the then standard reciprocating steam driven blowers, and enjoyed a brief period of dominance until being superseded by steam driven turbo blowers.

In the late 1920s the eleven tandem blowing engines were joined by four massive twin tandem blowing engines.  Each of these "twins" were more than twice the size of a "single" tandem engine.   The total number of engines at the power house at one time numbered seventeen, however five were removed over the years leaving a total of 12 engines.  The power house last operated in 1993 when an explosion in a cold blast main permanently retired the engines.

These engines still exist, now owned by Sands Bethworks, who is developing the former Bethlehem Steel plant into a casino, entertainment and housing complex.

Engine #           Blowing Tubs                    Gas Cylinders         Air Capacity (CFM)       Remarks

1.                     82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        18000                          Only bedplate and blowing tub remains

2.                     82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        15000                          Missing several parts
3.                     72 x 60                                    42 x 60                        13000                         
4.                     84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        13000                         
5.                     84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        21000                         
6.                     82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        15000                         
7.                     72 x 60                                    42 x 60                        13000                         
8.                     82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        15000                          scrapped
9.                     72 x 60                                    42 x 60                        13000                          scrapped
10.                   82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        15000                    
11.                   72 x 60                                    42 x 60                        13000
12.                   82 x 60                                    42 x 60                        15000                          scrapped
13.                   82 x 60                                    47 x 60                        18000                          scrapped
14.                   84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        42000
15.                   84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        42000
16.                   84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        42000
17.                   84 x 60                                    47 x 60                        42000
Historical info. courtesy of Mike Piersa