Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-03
LIMA OIL FOR FUEL.
J. Painter & Sons Company Testing
a New Process for Pudding,
TO REPLACE COAL AND GAS.
Mr. Arrington's Scheme Gets Black Eye in
Philadelphia.
BIG ORDERS FOE ANTHRACITE COAL

1t is quite probable that the failure OF the
gas supply viii! not prove such an inconve-
nience to the manufacturers as was at first
expected, and If the experiment now being
made by the j. Painter & Sons Company in
the West End, proves successful not so
many will go back to coal, after all.
This firm began pudding yesterday morn
ing by the use of Lima oil and compressed
air. and according to the statements of rep
resentatives OF the firm the results were en-
tirely satisfactory. The only matter to be
settled is the item of expense, and it is ex-
pected to decide that during the present
week.
The process adopted is patented system
controlled by the Gilbert & Barker Manu-
featuring Company, of Boston. Their repre-
sentative, Mr.. H. It. Sanborn, had charge of
the experiments yesterday, and to DIS
PATCH reporter explained the manner in
which it is operated.
THE APPARATUS DESCRIBED.
The apparatus consists of tank, with a
capacity OF 10 to u barrels; an air tank and
pipes leading from both to the furnace.
DULL puG uHuSr Ii lo-pOuHu pressure
of compressed air, and thus the oil is forced
into the furnace. An intense heat is made, and
it is said better time can be made than with
either gas or coal.
Eight heats were turned out yesterday and
each one was made in less time than has been
recorded in many weeks. 1t often requires l
hour and 45 minutes to make a heat. 1t was
done yesterday in l hour and 15 minutes.
while the slowest time was l hour and 40
minutes. IL was impossible to tell anything
m nj W. GO, a
heats. but to-day gauge will be placed in the
oil tank and the exact amount of oil used each
hour will be measured.
MIR. T. l.. Harper. of the firm said he could
not tell whether the process will be adopted
permanently or not. 1t all depends upon the
cost. I'VE would endure little extra expense,
however" said Mi. Harper, ITO get rid of the
coal. W do not want to 60 back to coal unless
we are compelled to do so. If we can get ANY,
thing like satisfactory results from the oil
process. we will not use coal at:all."
FIRST TEST OF THE KIND.
Oil at present is cheap but it is hard to tell
how long it may remain within the reach of
manufacturers for fuel purposes. Painters is
the first mill in which the system has been
tried in Pittsburg and the results will be looked
for with interest.
At Jones & Laughlins American Iron Works
the gas from their new line to the Washington
county field was turned on. They have plenty
of gas now, supplied from their own lines, and
1t will not be necessary for that firm to go back
to coal for the present.
The Philadelphia Company has had men
buSily employed ever since Monday lifting
off the mills. The work has not all been done
yet but the end of the week will see it CON-
pleted. The supply was short yesterday again.
and complaints were numerous. On the North
side there was not as much gas as there was
last week, even before a mill had been shut off.
A change for the better. however, is confident
ly looked for by the suffering consumers.