The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-06-28
A New Fuel.

Among the recent inventions that bid
fair to create a revolution in the affairs of
the world, that of substituting petroleum
in lieu of coal for the purpose of generat-
ing steam, bids fair to prove success We
find the following article In the Madison
Journal. a
"The subject of using crude petroleum
for fuel, especially for steam vessels, is at
tracing considerable attention. 1t was re-
Gently subjected to the test of practical
trial at Boston, with very encouraging re-
Suits. Less than four barrels of the crude
oil served to propel the United States gun
boat Palos distance Of twenty five nauti-
cal miles. For the same work, from six to
eight tons of coal would have been needed.
The new fuel is also more potent genera
tor OF steam, the speed of the vessel being
increased fifty per cent. over her former
rate. The apparatus used for burning the
petroleum is thus described: "On the
deck of the vessel are two large iron tanks
filled with petroleum, and to these are at
tached common gas pipes, which supply the
oil tor the retort below. The retort is made
OF boiler iron, and in it is inserted num-
Der of small pipes, which spread out in
arms, with perforations or openings for sup
plying one hundred and twenty five burn
ers. The steam taken from the boiler is
passed through coil of iroa pipe charged
with iron filings, which are arranged SO as
to be exposed to the hottest part ofthe fire.
The coil of iron pipe and filings, becoming
! red hot, decompose-t the steam separating the
oxygen and hydrogen. and as natural con-
| sequence the gasuous components enter the
retort and mingle with the vapor of the oil.
BY means OF an air pump, atmospheric air
Is forced into the retort at the same time
the steam is decomposed, and mixes with
the elements of the fire. These combined
gases then escape into the furnace, ignitlng
from the intense hot fame. During this
chemical combination the oil does not come
IN contact with the fire, but is run into the
iron retort before alluded to, which is kept
hot by series of heaters underneath. The
oil Is only supplied as fast as it can be con-
verted into vapor The supply OF steam
and air and oil is graduated by means Of
small throttle valves, and the fine increased
or diminished at will
A writer in the London Times predicts
that the fuel of the future time will be llq
uid, not solid, and points out the superior
ity of petroleum to coal. With proper APP
pdIdIuS, Tue uedtl1S VI oIOdHoA uo.io'
With it will be as simple a process as light
ing gas in our houses 1t contains much
greater proportion of heating power in &
given bulk than coal, a great consideration
for ocean voyages When it is used, there
will be no need of regiment of stokers t.
broil themselves alive, as at present, in the
hold of the steamship The saving Of stow
age, labor and absence of dirt, will be i'm
mense. The Times writer believes the sup
ply of oil will be found equal to the demand
He thinks it may be found in the British
Islands by deep boring, and says we mus
tap the sources of the earth-oil, with ;
constant consumption for constant pro
duction, an ever living fountain of heat, ;
gulf stream from the interior of the eartl
to its external surface-a stream which ma!
ultimately make the regions Of the Nortl
Pole-Sibcria and its cognate countries-a
habitable as Scotland, SO far as arti6cia
heat and warmth are concerned" Thi
view of the subject will be PARTICULAR y graf
flying to Americans in connection with ou
recent Russian purchase. With the aid o
petroleum, coupled with the accommodating
spirit already manifested by the isotherma
line, we may yet make our Northwestern
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