St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-05
AMMONIA AS A MOTOR.
Successful Operation of a Boat
Propelled BY New Power.

Successful Operation of Boat
Propelled BY New Power.
Philadelphia Record.
a most successful test was made on
Friday of the use of ammonia as
motIve power to displaee steam. The
test was the first that has ever been
made on a marine engine, and the trial
was. most satisfactory. An ammonia
engine plant has been fitted out OH the
tug K. w. Hartley. which made trip
up and down the river. subjecting the
IneWescheme to practical test. 1t is
known as the Campbell ammonia en-
gineisystem, ane its workings are novel
and Interesting, not only to the me-
clianical and scientific circles. but also
to the laymen of the industrial world.
Any ordinary engine can be converted
ntOa Campbell ammonia engine SIM
ply by the addition of a generator"
which is much like boiler. Steam IS
nsed.simply for the purpose of heating
the aqua ammonia. in the generator.
The heated ammonia eXDelS gas, leav-
ing a weak solution of ammonia in the
bottom of this boiler-like affair. When,
bylraiSing the temperature of the am
monia, sufficient power is generated.
the throttle valve is opened and the gas
passes into the cylinder of the engine
and propels the piston rod in every way
the same as steam. 1t is here exhausted
the same as steam. but at this point the
gas is cooled and conducted back to
the generator. Before it reaches the
latter vessel it is carried by spray
coil'' to point where tine gas comes i'll
contact with the ammonia solution,
which has been rejected from the gen.
orator, and here the solution is re-
charged by absorption and the natural
affinity existing between water and
ammonia.
By this means the same body of am
monia is used constantly, eXhausting
itself only to be recharged with new
life and to be returned to the genera
tor. The same is true of the water used.
The steam in the generator lmpaIts its
heat to the ammonia, and is thereby
condensed and carried back to the boiler
to be used again. In the Campbell am
monia engine there is absolutely no
waste. On the other hand. there is a
saving Of coal, as the engine can be
operated OH one-half the amount of
fuel. On the Hartley yesterday only
one of the two furnaces was used, and
and there was all the speed and pres
sure that could be desired.
Many advantages are claimed for the
Campbell engines. The principal one
is that the life of boiler is more than
doubled. The average term of service
of boiler is less than ten years, and a
boat is laid up about one-tenth of the
time undergoing repairs to the boiler.
Because of the uniform purity OF the
water this is done away with in the
Campbell process, and the boat is in
constant service. This and the saving
of coal are the chief advantages claimed,
but not an unimpOrtant one is the dis
pensing with the many disadvantages
of lubricating oils. These are wholly
unnecessary, as the ammonia Itself
serves as lubricant.
The test yesterday was satisfactory In
every way, and was so declared by all
the persons present. These gentlemen
were Gen. w. w. Dudley, of Washing
ton; j. S. DOrau, engineer, represent
ing Peter Wright & Son: w. B. Rooney.
marine architect; Collector OF the Port
Thomas V. Cooper: James McLain, of
New York; J. II. Campbell and w. s.
Campbell. the inventor, and Charles IL.
Campbell and w. S. Griffith.