Louisiana capitolian., 1879-12-13
A Cheap Steam Generator.

a Onoap otoHln uoo0'"s'A'
1t must be generally admitted that
fuel is the most important item in the
cost of manufacturing sugar, and that
great loss is frequently incurred by plan
ters, owing to the uncertain quality Of
the fuel used. When it is proven that
q great deal of expense, and the
uncertainty of maintaining q regular
pressure of steam, can be entirely obvia-
ted, we have no doubt that Interested
parties will not hesitate in taking ad-
vantage of an invention that Is an en-
tire success. 1t is not only advantageous
to sugar-ihakers; but to steamboats, and
manufacturers generally, who use the
power Of steam.
In our desire to advance the general
interests of our State, on last Tuesday,
we accepted the invitation of Mr.. WIN.
Blackie, the agent Of Louisiana, resi-
dent of Baton Rouge, to accompany
him to the plantation of Mr.. James +.
Devall, in West Baton Rouge, who is
using the steam generating apparatus,
to his utmost satisfaction. Mr.. Devalls
statement, coupled with onr own obser-
vations, will be found below.
The apparatus in question consists in
the following simple mechanism:
A small hole drilled into the iron front
and into this passes tube which bran
ches as it leaves this point into two
pipes. One connects with the boiler it.
self, and the other with the receptacle
containing coal tar. At the juncthlv of
these pipes there is an aperture for the
admission of outer or atmospheric air.
Valves of peculiar construction regulate
the quantity Of tar or oil admitted
to the furnace. This is all the machin-
cry required, but its operation is Won
derfully complete and remarkably sue
cessful.
In answer to our inquiries, Mr.. Deyall
stated that he required at least thirty
six cords Of the inferior quality of wood
he was using (willow woody to run his
steam-trains, evaporators, centrifugal
apparatus, etc, during twenty-four
hours, and to keep up pressure Of 70lb.
steam two firemcn were needed steady
at work throwing fuel into the furnace.
Per contra, with the use of the tar, a
single man conld at leisure, with one
half the quantity of wood consumed,
maintain steam pressure of 11Olb., if
necessary, without the slightest inter-
ruption, enabling him to take off two
hogsheads of sugar to one without tho
use of the tar. He could thus save
wood fuel, and the running expenseq of
the sugar house one day in two. This
he accomplished by using but ten Bar
rels of tar in twenty hours.
"This invention" said he, ''has been
a god-send to me this season, for my
supply of wood would have given out
long ago, and with coal at the present
rates l would have been in bad fix"
Sugar makers, firemen and all hands
about the mill say that they can't get
along without the tar; nothing works
well without it.
We noticed that the flame of the wood
fuel alone does not extend as far as the
rear of the furnace, whereas, with the
tar added, solid sheet of fire goes from
one end to the other, imparting all
equal degree Of heat to every part of
the boilers, thereby preventing the
burning out of one end by intense heat
while the other is comparatively I'M
touched.
Mr.. Blackie's apparatus is very
cheap one, and SO simple in its operation
that the dullest mind can comprehend
it at once. s~... r
1t requires no mathematician to cal
culate that crop can be taken off in
one half the ordinary time occupied, and
that in case of freeze thousands of
dollars might thereby be saved. There
is no question in Mr.. Devalps mind, and
in ours, that this invention is one of
immense value to our sugar planters.
Mr.. DevaII will continue grinding uh-
til Christmas, and will take pleasure in
showing to all parties interested the
practical workings of the apparatus AMI
process in question.
As matter of unusyal interest to the
sugar planters Of our State, one that
must greatly diminish the cost ofproduc
tion, we would especially request the
Sugar Boul, 1berville South, Donaldson
Vile Chief, Thibodeaux Sentinel, New
Orleans Democrat and Times, and in fact
all other papers friendly to the planting
interest, to reproduce the above article
or in some way call attention to the mcr-
it's of the invention.
Any additional information can he
had by addressing the enterprising
agent for this State, Mr.. William Blackie,
Baton Rouge, La.
Never before nor for years after the
22d day of December will our readers