What engineering constraint severely limited the lift height achieved by Savery's fire engine?

Answer

The structural integrity of contemporary boilers, often made of copper, limiting steam pressure use

Savery's design was fundamentally restricted by the metallurgical capabilities of the time, specifically concerning the containment of steam pressure. The boilers used, frequently constructed from copper, lacked the structural integrity necessary to safely hold steam at high pressures. Because the system relied on creating a vacuum through condensation after the vessel was filled, only low-pressure steam could be safely employed. This restriction on usable steam pressure directly limited the force available to draw water up, resulting in an apparatus effective only for relatively shallow lifts, approximately thirty feet deep, rendering it impractical for deeper mining operations.

What engineering constraint severely limited the lift height achieved by Savery's fire engine?

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