New-York daily tribune., 1846-01-23
Steam Boiler Explosions.

To the Editor Of The Tribune:
propose to say few words upon this important
subject, it being one whereby the loss of life and
property is 80 often caused; and from time 10 time
[ will forward epstles upon improvements, Hy-
draulical, Hydrosatical, Pyronomicel, Mechanical,
Chemical and Pneumatcal this last being my favor
lie subject But must not fly oil at tangent so
10 the text al once
It's well-known fact that the component parts
of Water are Oxygen and Hydrogen gases. The
former supporter OF combustion and animal life,
the latter highly infamabe and dreadiully explo-
sive and may be easily ignited by electricity and
other means.
1t is also well known, from experience that heat
ed iron-say iron plates such as boiler bottoms
have an affinity for Oxygen. and when imperfecily
covered with water they dlsengage and generate
dangerous Hydrogen gas which needs bat 10 be
isnied to cause the dreadful explosions of almost
every day occurrence
Steam at all times contains quantity of eectrici-
ty varying according to various circumstances
and i'll proportion 10 the density oil that huid oy
this i, will be understood that low pressure steam
boilers are as liable 10 blow up as the boilers used
for the highest steam and may add that during my
Engineering career, more cases than one OF nearly
new and improved steam boilers manufactured by
high standing makers, having exploded with much
I
valves were not loaded 10 than 10 lbs TO the
square inch and in such manner was the arrange
nen,s made that over these safety valves one bu.
the chief Engineer had any control. In cases like
! this in my humble opinion, the cause of explosion
was scarcity of water,-a large quantity of hydro
gen generated and the electricity OF the steam In
! the boiler setting fire 10 the hydrogen and thus
/ blowing up the whole steamboat. For proof OF
the electricity of steam small boiler on glass
pillars or other non conducting material, and when
/ steam is up you may collect much of the electric
! fluid as would in few seconds light every gas lamp
/ in New York, or kill any number of animals, or per
! form any other Office dependant upon electricity
Again. allow the water boil away until 1t becomes
! low and it will be easily and quickly discovered
that hydrogen is being generated in large quantities
4 Wha, have advanced is partly known but what
/ will now say would like to be known: 1.-two
o more conducting wires, jagged tor the purpose.
be properly affixed TO the boiler, with the other
ends of said wires carried so as TO come in contact
] with the earth or with wster, they would convey
ayay the lectrcity, and thereby render explosions
! almost impossible
Steam boilers collapsing is another and opposite
thing 10 The one have been speaking ol, and may
be prevented by the of the simple, well known
internal valve.
The plan here proposed for the entire prevention
of explosions in steam boilers Is simple very cheap
| and whether effective not it can do no harm 10
try il; consequently hope soon 10 see al! boilers
with the conducting wires affixed TO them II being
open for all to make trial being antipatent.
! AS Paddy would say, next time write You shall
hear of something else In the interim, am. SIR.
Yours respectfully. sc. w. F. WILKINS.
Union Forks Paterson, n. j. 18th JAM 1e46.