The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-07
" LFor the Dtspatch.1
-As- rSS<SNu1,xy Gtnoupp

IL it can really be SHOWN, as an aILlcie Ill
this mornings Dispatch would imply, that
heating by steam possesses any economical
claim, by all means let us give the subject
that attention which It's importance de-
nnands, for beyond doubt it is the most
pleasant and convenient method yet de-.
vised for applying heat to our dwellings,,
y In considering this subject, however, IL
is particularly desirable that we should not
rcpose too implicit: a trust in the authori-
ties, foremost among whom stands Has
well, who in the eighth edition Of bis very
popular work gravely assures us that:
{. Each square foot of surface steam-pipe
will warm 200 feet Of space; though what
the pressure OF steam may be, what the
original temperature Of the space may be,
what the subsequent temperature. may be,
or what Mr.. Haswell's conception OF the
term swarm " may be, are matters on which
we are LETT solely to the light and guidance
OF our own inner-consciousness.
Again, same authority, page 2O2 :
uEyery cubic foot Of water evaporated IN
n boiler at the pressure Of the atmosphere
will heat 1000 feet Of enclosed air TO an
average temperature OF 49," ......
Now, with all due Difference to science
and its chosen exponent, we take this to be
the most ludicrous diCtum ever set up for
the guidance Of confding multitude.
The grotesque parade Of scientific exact
nessEthe :" enclosed air." the "pressure OF
an atmosphere the &c cube OF water" in
stead Of a vulgar gallon or hogshead !; and
yet not word in regard to toe prior tenn
pcrature, nor administration 10 that vital
factor, time. The cubic foot Of water might
be evaporated in minute, or an hour, or a
day. The CorlisS engine would do the job
IN forty seconds, while it would take poor
little sewing-machine boiler all day long to
accomplish it. These two motors, however,
would be precisely equal. as heat-ditfusing
agents, according to- the principles OF
science; so we may rs well leave science to
disport herself in her own empyfean and
come down to grovelling facts. ...,s
Now, steam at 275o. or, as the jargonists
would put it, "under a pressure OF three
atmospheres," il transmitted through one
thousand feet Of one-inch pipe exposed to
temperature Of 40oWlll' instantlY condense
to the extent Of about twenty-five gallons,
and we know that an average dwelling
house OF twelve rooms will require about
twelve hundred feet Of piping; hence, for
Getty section" half mile square two
million one hundred and fifty thousand feet
of piping will be needed, and before an
atom of live steam can be carried through
this length volume must be generated,
under pressure Of forty-fYe pounds TO the
square inch, sufficient to give when con-
densed, eight hundred and fifty-siX hogs
heads of water. To vaporize this water
fifty-three thousand nine hundred and
eighty pounds OF coal would be required,
and it must be remembered that this enor-
nous expenditure of force would simply
have the effect Of taking the natural chill
from the piping. To maintain the mode
rate degree Of warmth thus acquired would
demand the hourly consumption Of forty
two thousand pounds Of coal, and the pro-
iect would need seventy furnaces in full
blast, each yielding the power OF one hun
dred horses.
When directly applied steam is admirable
for heating purposes, but the loss from con-
densation is so considerable that it is found
cheaper to transmit power by shafting than
by piping.
Hence all that is novel in this brilliant
scheme is fatal to it-a fatality that even
"asbestos" cannot cure. 1t is a device
that Jules Verne might bring out magnifi-
Gently on paper, but unhappily Jules seems
never to have caught the idea Of sharing his
discoveries on the Joint stock principle.
Take counsel, dear Dispatch, and so long
as money will buy lottery tickets, patent
fertilizers, and Kelley motors, take no
shares in the "Holly Steam Combination
Company, limited" - is:>.. .<ff
Yours solicitously, r. WAU-zEE.
NIB. Above estimates are based on facts
within my own observation. Have used
steam for heating purposes during the past
three years, and consider it indispensable in
press-room Of printing-ofice. Tell Fl. X. Z.
to keep press-room at $50 td7Oo, and he will
have no trouble with ink or rollers the year
round. The cost, with pipes under cover, is
about one hall more than stoves; but if pipes
are exposed the loss is enormous. Expert
mented to carry heat to detached building
about fiftylfeet), but gave it up.
r u! = ~.#'., 40 WAU-ZEE.