Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-08-28
PETROLEGM As FUEL.

An interesting Test on the Oh1o.
IFrOm the Cincinnati Commercial of Sunday.
The steamer Fire King, propelled by
Mr., h. s. Saronis patent machinery
for generating steam from petroleum
made an excursion trip few miles up
and down the river, yesterday. The
performanee was highly satisfactory in
every particular, and we may add that
q number of practical machinists and
engineers, including Captain j. s. Neal.
of the low pressure Richmond, and
r. Z. Neal, ofthe Indiana, were more
than delighted with the complete sue
cess of petroleum as fuel, declaring il
ssfer. as well as more economical, than
either wood or coal. ~ p - -
After applying the light the steam in
the boilers was run up to Us pounds
in less than thirty minutes. We also
witnessed the highly satisfactory appli-
cation of the same TO the culinary de-
partment and gas fights Of the boat
During the entire trip. although an ex.
perimental one, the steam in the boil
ers was kept up at uniform pressure
of 100 pounds, the management of the
same being under the exclusive control
of the engineer, without the usual aid
of fremen, coal beavers, &c. The flame
under the boilers and through the hues
was uniform, and the heat intense eY-
erything working satisfactory and with
the most perfect safety, indicating 8
speedy, economical and wonderful I'M
-proYement in generating steam for
steamers and all other purposese. The
Fire King made run of 10 or l2miles,
averaging 100 pounds of steam, work
ing 2 cylinders, 10 inches in diameter,
with 81 feet stroke. ...., .--.s
The. use of petroleum as fuel, and its
application for the purpose Of heating,
lighting and generating steam has been
been attained by the various patents
of Herman S. Ssroni in the most per-
feet, simple and cheap form. His burn
ers ara so constructed that he can use
the higher gravity of petroleum as well
or better than the heavier, that quality
which can not be used for any other
purpose, hence its cheapuess. The gas
apparatus, by means of which the
steamer is lighted up throughout, is
perfectly plain and simple, having no
machinery of any kind to get out ofor-
der, the gas being produced by the
action Of the natural laws Of attraction,
gravitation and evaporation. The stoves
for heating and cooking are very COM
plete, simple and portable. The heat
is very intense, yet 80 compact and so
completely under control that it can be
all applied to the vessel TO be heated,
and does not necessarily heat the
room. The use of these stoves is rec
commended before all others. First, on
account of saving fuel, it being less
than half that of wood or coal. Second,
saving of time, as the fire can be light
ed to full heat in one minuet, and will
bake, roast, boil or broil quicker than
any stove now in use. Third, on SC
count of cleanliness. There is not q
particle of smoke, SCOT or ashes produc-
ed by the burning. Fourth, it requires
no chimney is very light and portable;
can be used in any room OF the house
or part Of the room without any ofense
to the inmates or injury to the room
or furniture. The arrangement for its
to generating steam is SIM
pie and cheap; the oil is,placed insheet
IRON tanks on the boiler deck, conduct
ed thence through pipes to a series of
burners to placed in She FIRE bed un-
derneath the boilers. Some of the ad-
vantages to be gained by the use of
this apparatus are: First, about one
third to one-half of the cost Of fuel is
saved. Second, all the freight room is |
saved, as the oil can be carried where
the room is not available for freight
Third, q great saving in draft, as there
are only 240 pounds Of oil against an
equal to 5000 pounds of coal. Fourth,
the great saving in time and expense
in handling this fuel, as we dispense
With the services OF firemen and coal
the engineer having full con-
Lrol Of the fire by turning a single stop
cock. Fifth, there is 8 steady uniform
heat under the boilers, which must in
crease the average speed Of boats. and
must necessarily add to the durability
1f boilers and other iron exposed to the
neat. Sixth, the danger Of FIRE on
BOARD is greatly decreased, as the COM
oustion is perfect, there being no spsks,
finders, smoke or ashes, and the oil IS
:arried in such a position as to be not
,nly protected against ordinary acci-
lents, but against incendisries it being
inaccessible.