The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-03-14

CON SUMPTION OF FUEL.
Immense Waste OF Power Through Fault J
Methods of Firing.

/ CON SUMPTION Or FUEL.
| Immense Waste OF Power Through Fault y
Methods of Firing.
Chicago has grown TO be one Of
Americas greatest manufacturing GEN.
ters." said mechanical engineer in
reference to the consumption of coal
here for purposes other than domestic,
land notable fact is that the waste
of fuel is stupendous. Different kinds
of coal vary largely in calo,ic power.
but 1850 units to the pound is the
value usually adopted. The average
furnace in this city does not utilize
more than 1850 units. Many fur
naces do not utilize more than 5000 or
5000. The rest is sheer waste. and
the waste is chargeable to different
causes. OF course it is not possible TO
utilize the entire 1850 units, but that
amount can be closely approximated
under favorable conditions.
''lncompetency in the matter of fir
ing and the use of wasteful contrivances
in connection with furnaces is the cry
ing evil. What is more, disregard of
economy and the smoke nuisance,
against which people are constantly
protesting, 60 hand in hand. There is
not a understanding device in use
to-day that is not attended with great
loss OF the caloric power Of coal. The
more efficient the consumer the greater
is the waste of fuel. The injecting OF
steam ut one point or other of the
furnace is the principle of most of
| these devices This steam has to be
consumed and the heat required by this
is practically wasted.
''Of course the escape of unconsumed
carbon up the chimney is no less a
waste, but this can largely be obyiatcd.
The best smoke-consumer in the world
is a competent fireman. Further, few
people comprehend the financial loss
entailed by injudicious firing. The
one thing in the average fireman's
mind is to minimize his work, and in
accomplishing this he becomes waste
full and Il public nuisance. To throw
open the doors Of the furnace and
keep them open till sufficient coal has
been shoveled in is a common practice,
and it will inevitably prolong the
period Of dense smoke and increase in
a measure the loss of fuel. Even to
throw open the furnace door without
adding fresh fuel will cause the chin
ney to smoke. Again, to let the fire
get low and then -shovel in a large
amount of coal will chill the fire and
cause volumes Of nnconsumed fuel tc
escape for public annoyance. TO shovel
in coal SO that the CRATE is unevenly
covered will likewise cause smoke and
waste. II Chicago had a school fol
firemen and required the men having
charge of the furnaces Of the city to be
graduates. it would mean hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars OF annual saving
in the cost Of fuel and vast reduction
in the annoyance from smoke.
Furnace doors should be shut after
each shovelful Of coal in buildings just
as on locomotives. The coal should be
carefully spread on the CRATE, the
thickness to be regulated by the
strength OF the draught and the amoupi
of steam to be produced. The practice
of postponing firing as long as posi-
BILE and then supplying twice or thrice
the quantity Of coal that should be pu,
in at once-I have actually seen four.
teen shovelfuls, or about six hundred
or seven hundred pounds, Of coal
thrown into furnace ut a time
should be abolished, and when that is
done manufacturers will find their coal
bills much smaller.
ITO attain the best results as to
smoke and heat no two kinds Of coal
need just the same treatment. No two
furnaces, likewise, can be managed in
just the same way. A given quantity
of one kind OF coal thrown into .
furnace Of a given temperature will moi
yield the same results a. the same
quantity of another kind Of coal. The
point OF ignition is different, and the
lower this is the greater is the posi-.
bility Of waste and the greater the
nuisance from smoke. Size Of CRATE
and strength of draught will SO affect
| TIC VI luSi NS ~ u'SSSSA
tate tircmaE's making a special study
OF his ground before he can got tht
maximum heat out Of his fuel ant
cause the least nuisance. Econom,
and smoking chimneys are diametric
ally opposed to each other, and in thu
main are needless, but it il 70 the fire
men. not to patent devices, that thu
public must look. Chicago News.
"A celebrated tragedian had !
broken nose. A lady once remarked
to him, Il like your acting. but. to be
frank with you, l can't gel over your
nose" mo wonder, madame" re
: piled the tragedian, 1.-The bridge il
gone"
, A slumbering Albany brakeman
! was aroused the other night by a CT
: OF pain, and found that he had his VIII
. by both ears, and was twisting enoug
: TO brake" her neck