St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-13
CHILDREN'S
Separate Pants,
l5c. loc, 48c and
55c; worth double the
price.
A NEW POWER.
Steam and Heated Air Together
OutwOrk Steam.

OutwOrk Steam.
London Times.
1t is we'll known that the practical
far below the standard which theory
correctly sets UP for it, The mechan-
ical work done by pound of coal in
our best engineS-that is, by the con-
version of heat into motion-is greatly
less than it should be. 1t has been
proposed to Supersede steam by various
gases, or to add them to it and use them
in mixed form. Air has found much
favor with inventors, and there have
been times when the use of combined
air and steam appeared to be practical
method of Improving the steam engine.
But, apart from gas engines and hot air
engines pure and simple, down to the
present time there has been no record
OF commercial or even practical success
having attended the Introduction of air
in any way into the steam engine.
Among others who have taken deep
practical interest in the question of the
use of combined air and steam in the
engine is Edward Field. c. E., who has
been well known for many years past in
connection with the steam boiler bear
ing his name. His Improvement was a
boiler, but it Is probable that it will be
found that he has now made a far
greater advance in the engine by in
creasing its efficiency and economy in a
very remarkable degree. And what he
has really done partakes rather of the
nature of a discovery than an invention.
Put in few plain words. Mr.. Field
produces the volume of mixed gases
under pre- ssure necessary for perform
ing given amount of work In an ell
CINE with the use of only from 1919 to
20 per cent of the quantity of steam
which would be used in the same engine
to perform the same amount Of work.
This volume of mixed gases consists of
small volume of steam introduced
into large volume of heated air.
Whatever of invention there is in the
present connection relates to the APP
paratus by means of which the dis
coyery is utilized in practice. This
apparatus consists of two portions
namely. the experimental, whereby
Mr.. Field demonstrates the principles
of his discovery, and the practical, by
which he illustrates the application of
those principles IN doing work. This
apparatus of both kinds we have re-
Gently had the opportunity of inspect
ing and of seeing in operation with re-
suits which fully support all that Mr..
Field claims in respect of the principle.
The experimental apparatus consists of
two measuring chambers OF different ca
pacities. and working cylinder having
weighted piston. In order TO prevent
condensation or loss of heat high
temperature is maintained in each of
the chambers. In order to render the
experiments comparative, steam was
first admitted TO both of the measuring
chambers at a pressure of sixty pounds
per square inch. This steam, which
represented twenty volumes. was then
admitted to the working cylinder, and
it raised the piston with a load of III
pounds to height of 81 inches. The
experiment was repeated, when the
piston was only raised AZ inch es.
The smaller of the two chambers
was then half-filled with steam at sixty
pounds pressure, and the larger cham
Der with heated air at temperature of
400 deg. Fahrenheit, which is about the
temperature required in practice and at
atmospheric pressure as shown by the
respective gauges. The proportions
were two of steam and sixteen of heated
air. and upon the admission of the
steam to the air the gauges on both
chambers instantly showed pressure
OF sixty pounds per square inch.
Upon the mixture of steam and
air being admitted to the cylinder the
weighted piston was rapidly driven up
~ inches, which was as high as it
could reach, and represented the stroke
of the piston within the cylinder. Upon
the experiment being repeated the
weighted piston rose much more rapid
ly, giving the cylinder covering yio-
lent blow. A number of other expert
ments were made with similar results.
and as whole clearly demon