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Steamy Manhattan Trivia Quiz

New York City has the largest steam generation system in the world. It is twice the size of the system in Paris, which is the largest in Europe.

A multiple-choice quiz by denmarks. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
denmarks

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
236,754

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
383

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When was the first steam system with a central steam boiler plant built in Manhattan? Hint

1850

1881

1905

1921

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who was the first customer of the New York Steam Company? Hint

The United Bank Building

Grand Central Teminal

New York City Hall

The New York Subway System

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Question 3 of 10

3. At the end of the 20th century, how many commercial and residential customers in Manhattan were using steam? Hint

About 75,000

Around 10,000

Just under 50,000

Over 100,000

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many pounds of steam are piped under the streets of Manhattan yearly? Hint

more than one trillion

about 30 billion

about 750 million

thousands

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Question 5 of 10

5. A gallon of water can provide how many pounds of steam? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the temperature (F) of the water just prior to being converted to steam in the Con Edison steam plants? Hint

1000

500

212

750

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Question 7 of 10

7. There are two major steam plants in Manhattan. One for the east side and one for the west.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the temperature (F) of the steam flowing through the underground pipes in Manhattan? Hint

212

350

500

1000

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Question 9 of 10

9. Some of the steam flowing underground in Manhattan is used to sterilize instruments at St. Vincent's Hospital.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Steam can be used to cool buildings in Manhattan.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When was the first steam system with a central steam boiler plant built in Manhattan?

Answer: 1881

The first plant was built in 1881 and had 48 boilers and a huge chimney. It was between Cortlandt, Dey, Greenwich, and Washington Streets.

2. Who was the first customer of the New York Steam Company?

Answer: The United Bank Building

The United Bank Building on Broadway was the first customer on March 3, 1882. By December 1882, there were 62 customers.

3. At the end of the 20th century, how many commercial and residential customers in Manhattan were using steam?

Answer: Over 100,000

At the turn of the century there were over 105 miles of pipes in Manhattan providing steam to more than 100,000 commercial and residential customers.

4. How many pounds of steam are piped under the streets of Manhattan yearly?

Answer: about 30 billion

About thirty billion pounds of steam flow under Manhattan yearly. The extent of the service is from the Battery to 96th Street.

5. A gallon of water can provide how many pounds of steam?

Answer: 8

A steam plant converts a gallon of water into eight pounds of steam. Every hour about 125,000 gallons of water are turned into more than one million pounds of steam.

6. What is the temperature (F) of the water just prior to being converted to steam in the Con Edison steam plants?

Answer: 1000

A steam generating plant is located on 14th Street and the East River. There are two boilers that burn gas or oil. The temperature of water inside the boiler reaches 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rush of steam is so loud that workers must wear ear protectors.

7. There are two major steam plants in Manhattan. One for the east side and one for the west.

Answer: false

At the end of the 20th century, there were seven Con Edison plants. Five in Manhattan, one in Queens, and one in Brooklyn. Some of these plants produce both steam and electricity through co-generation.

8. What is the temperature (F) of the steam flowing through the underground pipes in Manhattan?

Answer: 350

The steam in the underground pipes is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The pipes coming out of the plant are several feet in diameter and they get progressively smaller, finally becomming ones that are only only a couple of inches wide.

9. Some of the steam flowing underground in Manhattan is used to sterilize instruments at St. Vincent's Hospital.

Answer: true

St. Vincent's Hospital uses steam to sterilize instruments. They are first placed in a washer-disinfector, something like a dishwasher. Then they are sterilized with steam which kills any viral or bacterial pathogens.

10. Steam can be used to cool buildings in Manhattan.

Answer: true

The heat from steam can be used in a refrigeration system to cause cooling.

Source: Author denmarks

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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