Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-10-02
CRUDE OIL.
4 Revolution In the Mechanical Forces
The New Agent Of Power
How to Control the Trade
of the World.

The commerce OF the world may be rev.
~OlutioniZed by means Of the peW fuel now
used Ia Philadelphia and Chicago. The
machinery of large factories Is driven by
It in the former city, ard of Il in Wash
ington. A steamer is thus propelled at
Cincinnati, and 1t Is now 10 be applied to
ocean steamers. 1t IL almost tbs squtva-
lent of ''vril," that wonderful electric
force described In the charming book en-
titled 1.-The Coming Race" written, it is
said, By Lord Lytton. In fact, the ysvo-
lutions wroaghs in social and national
conditions by "vril," * described by the
dreaming philosopher, are hardly more
extraordinary or seemingly impossible
than those that will be wrought by ths
substitution OF nspths gas for coal on
ocean steamers. The crude petroleum is
first injected by pumps into 6 cylinder,
and brought into contact with super
heated steam, it Is yaporlsed and con-
verted into hydro-cSrbOn gas. In this
form It is conducted through ordinary
pipes, under the boiler, when it may be
lighted. 1t smits a powerful and steady
hest, without waste and Without danger.
It Is as manageable as common gas. The
reservoir of crude petroleum may be
placed in any part of the vessel, and one
or one hundred burners may De lighted
M. The ire under the boi or may be ex-
tinguishsd instantly by turning of the
Ihucst. IDeF6 Is no HHsb6, Cluuers,sulOke,
sparks or ashes. The most perfect com
bustion is obtained. It's use viii ooviats
the necessity for more han half the ma
chinery now used IL steam engines. 1t
can be adapted to all steam boilers with
comparatively light eX although, OF
course, important advantages would be de-
rived from b construction Of boilers and
srgines, and steam vessels specially
adapted for the consumption of this kind
~ f.an T. - .Af AarwaAOnz Tha 1aN.n
tank can be located In any part of the
ship, and If Desirable It can be completely
surrounded by water.
The Introduction OF petroleum fuel
opens q new era for the shipping interests
and of our country. 1t has
been tested both by the English and
American governmental; and although the
results obtsined were satisfactory, yet
still greater and more important improve
ments have since been effected.
The Illinois Central railroad company,
since January last, hav had . petroleum
'tvspor fuel" engine In use, driving their
stationary engine at the machine works.
This company also uses the 'yspor fuel"
in their forges ss a substitute for coal.
The gas is chic fly manufactured out of re-
fuse OIL, and ali that is reqaisi 9 is to reg
ulste the pump and light the burners.
The engine will then run for any length
of time without further attention. A boy
can manage il. No cosl-psssers or fire.
men are required. AS our river steam
ers carry little army OF wood passers and
6remen, they would save largely in this
item alone by the use OF petroleum.
There is every reason to believe that
petroleum fuel msy be adapted to ocean
steamers, and to river and lake navigs-
ton, with the best results. Perhaps, in
this admirable "yspor fuel" va may ind
the solution of the problem of canal steam
navigation. A barrel Of petroleum and q
boiler not much larger than a tea kettle
may probably be made to run s canal boat
from Buffalo to Albany. The new tuel is
also well adapted for dummy engines,
and its use may sups.seds the objections
that now apply TO the use of steam on
street railroads. But 1t Is chiefly from its
to ocean and river
steamers that we look for the largest,
results ; and we conf
IDENTIFY anticipate that 1t viii be
The means Of restoring Us the commerce of
the seas. Ali thst is required Is for
American ingenuity and enterprise to
the new "vapor fuel" for the bene-
St Of mankind,