New-York tribune., 1872-03-16
PETROLEUM IN IRON-NAKING.


Experiments in the use Of Petroleum as fuel in
the manufacture Of Iron have for some months been
in progress in of the rolling of st. Louis,
with gratifying results. We have no data as to it's
efficiency in smelling ores into Pig Iron though we
vaguely assured that the promise is very good !;
but in rolling and refining Pig into Bar or Malleable
Iron, the results most satisfactory. Says The
Pittsburgh Commercial
lone of the tests-al Of which said have been
OF the thorough characteremployed to
the effect of petroleum heat consisted pudding 1000
pounds Of pigiron, smelted with Illinois coal in
1859, and which owing to the large debasement by
sulphur had been thrown aside worthless Frequent
efforts have been made from time time reduce the
mixture to merchantabe iron, but to avail. Since
1854 II had lain neglected. single hours treatment
with liquid however is said TO have turned the
out in the shape Of iron OF the finest quality closely
semblng steel and perfectly free from uphur and all
other impurities. Specimens exhibited and were
pronounced by old iron Of the very finest quality
Of metal equal If not superior to the best charcoal
Iron.
"Other experiments are said TO have demonstrated
that common Iron Mountain pig iron could by single
application Of the liquid fuel in the pudding furnaces,
be made into the best ange boiler iron which, under
the tests, shown to be equal 10 the first
quality Sligo o. Low Moor iron, OF capacity
guine believers in the patent.
at asserted that the manufactured by using this
fuel has been tested in almost every conceivable manner
and that these tests prove Its tensile strength well as
its capacity to sustain weight 10 be far above the
average; in the former showing tensile strength OF
than 900 pounds greater than specimens Of Low
Moor iron. The wOrkmen IN the mill said TO be
greatly interested IN the experiments. They re-
Gently satisfied their curiosity by rolling this
iron into Sheets and though still experimenting,
have produced sheets thin that i've
hundred Of them but one inch thick These sheets
described being remarkably tough and flexible
Numerous other experiments also reported to have
made with only temporary machinery and appar-
for the Of petroleum fuel but with the most
satisfactory results.
"From these experiments II would appear 10 be con-
siderably cheaper than coal its and handling so
far as the heating iron for the rolls Is concerned
while the saving in scrappng gives 1t sun turther
economic advantage the following results obtained
In the scrapping furnace, show:
placed in the furnace $50 lbs
Iron taken Ids
Los. sisS s9GTins sasi Is IS1. pe4 cent S:
Deduct loss with liquid fuel-....-.'.-.. l% Ids
Saving with liquid fuel ...........-.. s95 lbs
Although petroleum is generally known to be con
centration or dstation Of coal and that IN proportion
70 the crudty Of the coal to concentrated character
OF petroleum. Is the intensity OI tAc
by the petroleum greater than the heat Of the COAL YET
This seems to be definite and sustained attempt
apply the greater intensity 70 praccal uses anu 70
employ IL refined mechanical force, ht.etoioiee =
coal has the main ament OF industry ana suen Il
its portance and value throughout the civilized world
that any material which suIersedesit u IN cneapness an
mportance In the more essential OF Industry and
commerce. must necessarily be agency OF ncacuaO Ole
value, and work corresponding revolution III tne
Opent Of OF the country and their adapt
ton To the requirement OF civilization and the interests
~ man As 10 the supply OF the new fuel so as 70 rem
der its use a question for economy, there need De No
alarm for the quantity OF it in many parts OF tne world
eens To incXhaustibe and easy OF access ana ese
ciay II this the own country. should the
claims which made IN ts behalf he suDtantateo 10y
further experiments and Investigations II VIII probably
work an eventul revolution, not only IN the manuiae
ture OF iron wherever heat steam or artucial ugh
/ are cmploye or required