Power house: AC generator supplying works. Gilkes turbine driving a 1,725 BHP English electric brushless alternators (120V, 4.5 AMP, 133 cycles, cont. rating 1000 RPM, No. AAX3965/006, size PMG/20/6) ...

Description Power house: AC generator supplying works. Gilkes turbine driving a 1,725 BHP English electric brushless alternators (120V, 4.5 AMP, 133 cycles, cont. rating 1000 RPM, No. AAX3965/006, size PMG/20/6) Digital image of B 13390

Date 9/4/1991

Catalogue Number SC 716955

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 13390

Scope and Content Alternator in the power house, Aluminium Works, Kinlochleven, Highland The aluminium works at Kinlochleven was built between 1904 and 1909 by the British Aluminium Company Limited. By 1911 the works were producing about 7,112 tonnes of aluminium per annum which was around 87% of the total output of the company at that time. The works closed in June 2000. This shows an English Electric Brushless Alternator with a Gilkes Turbine on the right. The power of the water flowing into the power station was harnessed by turbines and used by the two alternators to produce alternating electric current which was used throughout the works. Alternating electric current (AC) flows back and forward between points whereas direct electric current (DC) flows in one direction. The manufacturing of aluminium requires a lot of energy and hydro-electric power is ideally suited because it is cheap and renewable. Aluminium is a lightweight metal which is strong and anti-corrosive. The metal was widely used for domestic utensils in the late 19th century. Today, aluminium is used mainly in aircraft manufacture. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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