Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-11-23
DanfOrd's Steam Generator.

The proposed revolution in steam boil
ers announced in this paper some months
since seems now likely to be fulfilled in
the successful working of the generator
invented by Mr.. E. Danford, of Geneva,
Illinois, should it prove what the highest
scientific authorities now predict, it will
utterly reyolutionize the present method
of obtaining steam power. We had come
to distrust the praoticability of advanta-
geously raising steam by injection, but
confess now that there seems small room
for doubt. In the Chicago Republican we
find the apparatus so well described that
we transfer to our own columns the entire
article.
The great problem how to cheaper steam
power and rob it of its terrors, seems to
have been solved by an Illinois inventor.
We had the pleasure few days since, of
examining the superheated steam genera
tor OF Mr.. E. Danford, of Genrva, now in
practical operation at No. 80 West Lake
street. There, in space which might be
covered by medium-sized kitchen-table,
is steam engine of fifteen horse power,
all complete, driving two sets of burr
stones, and grinding corn at the rate of
q bushels per hour. This engine is
driven by steam superheated to from 500
to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The immense
power of this agent may be judged when
we state that steam in the locomotive
boiler at 100 pounds pressure to the
square inch is only 331 degrees of tenn
perature.
Mr.. Danford's steam generator consists
of hollow cast-iron globe, 81 inches
thick, suspended in an ordinary furnace.
An iron tube enters the globe at the top
and is conducted down to little below
the centre where it terminates in rose
sprinkler. By means of an injection
pump, about table spoonful of water is
forced through this tube into the globe at
each stroke in the form of spray. The
spray does not come in contact with the
sides of the generator, for before it can
reach them it is expanded into superheat-
ed steam. There is no danger Of explo-
sion, for no water touches the iron to
cause an explosion. The globe will sus-
tain pressure of 1000 Tbs to the inch.
1t never becomes red hot, because the
steam absorbs the heat as fast as it is
generated. Hence there is no danger of
weakening the iron, by overheating, or
burning it out.
Mr.. Danford has demonstrated that
there is positive limit to the expansive
power of steam, and that it is impossible as
many engineers believe, to resolve it into
toy. l.
been in use since May last, and he defes
any engineer in the world to blow it up.
If this be the fact the Importance of his
invention in a humane point of view is
beyond computation.
But absolute safety is not its only rec
ommendation. 1t is vastly cheaper than
the old tubular border A 15-horse pow
er generator and furnace, complete, may
be furnished ready for use for 5000. A
steam boiler of the same capacity would
cost 800. Nor is it's saving in first
cost its most valuable recommendation
Twenty-Five gallons of water give the
same power as rs in the ordinary boiler,
and there is saving of over 40 per cent.
in fuel in its favor, while so far as
appears, it will endure for an indefinite
period.
A company has been organized for the
dissemination Of this invention, with
Horatio Allen, of the Novelty works,
New York, as president. Its capital is
So, 100000, and it purposes to grant the
right Of using the invention to manufac-
turers throughout the world, for reason
able royalty upon each horse power. If
the invention realizes all that is claimed
for it by the inventor and other practical
engineers, it will work rev olution in
steam power. Henceforth, the most val
liable and most dangerous of human
agencies will become the most docile and
benefcent. Those who are interested in
scientific improvements will find it worth
their while to make personal examina-
ton of this very remarkable invention.