The Washington times., 1902-10-25
OIL POOR SUBSTITUTE
FOR COAL ON WARSHIPS

from the problem of its use in the mer-
camille marine. The performances OF
merchan; ships having oil fuel installa-
tions were carefully observed, however
by representatives of the Navy Depart
ment. The more the question is in
vestigated, he says, the more intricate
seems the problem of successfully in
stalling an oil fuel appliance on boar
battieship. 1T ought to be success
fully used on the torpedo boats" he re-
marks, as well as upon auxiliary naval
vessels that steam between regular
ports. For the army transport service
it might prove desirable. since the sup
ply of oil could be maintained at the
several calling noris.''
Taking up in detail the problem of in
stalling oil furnaces on battieships and
armored cruisers. Admiral Melville C m
siders it under three headings-the me-
chanical. the commercial and the struc-
;ural features. The engineering or me-
chanical feature, he explains, relates TO
the efficient ard economical burning CT
oil and to the possibilities of increasing
the consumption at short notice so that
maximum power can be readily and cas-
lily obtained. Many difficulties in Sc
curing combustion have been overcome
only within the past three years by the
atomization of the oil. Admiral Melville
lays down the rule that the efficiency of
the burner is simply proporionate to
its power TO atomize the oil, and then TO
burn these minute particles of carbon.
so that complete combustion as well as
ability TO force the consumption of the
oil can be secured. AS a constant i'm
proyement is being made in atomiZinS,
the engineering and mechanical prob
The great difficulty in the past was that
no one seemed to know how to burn
enough oil and yet have it under control.
Until two years ago the boiler could not
be forced with oil to the same extent as
with coal.
Commercial Value.
THE experiments conducted by the
LIQUID fuel board" Admiral Melville
adds. have shown that it is now pos
sible to force the combustion of the oil.
and that the greatest evaporation per
square foot of heating surface secured
with coal can be greatly exceeded in an
oil fuel installation of modern descrip-
tion where provision has been made for
atomizing the combustible portions and
heating the air and oil. Continued ex-
pertinent should therefore be conducted
under Government supervision.
The engineering or mechanical features
of the problem will undoubtedly be
solved in a degree materially satisfac-
tory to maritime or commercial inter
ests, if not to naval experts by further
work.
= OF the commercial feature, which re-
lates to the question of cost and sup
ply, Admiral Melville does not speak SO
encouragingly. 1T may be regarded as
a certainty" he says that, except
wherein unusual conditions prevail, the
cost of oil for marine purposes will gen
orally be greater than that of coal"
Reserve Supply at Seaports.
The investigations conducted by Ad
niral Melville's bureau show that the
cost will be less for vessels departing
from the coast of the Gulf of California
and Mexico, but the rule will hold else
where. 1T is undoubtedly a fact" he
asserts, that the great transportation
per mile for oil at the present
time are excessive, compared with the |
freightage for coal, and this incongruity |
Of expense account against oil cannot |
continue much longer To this, he |
adds, as another drawback TO the use OF
oil on warships, that it will be some
time before there can be a reserve sup |
ply at the principal seaports.
The naval constructors difficulties |
n preparing for the use of oil fuel on
ships Of war are even greater than those
IF the engineers or those having TO do
with the commercial aspects of the |
question. In all probability, Admiral
Melville says, the great bulk of the oil
would have to be kept in the double
POTION, and as the petroleum vapors are
,eavy, ii may be difficult matter to
rec these compartments of explosive
,ases. Another danger is from the thou
ands of sparks from the electrical ap-
,liances on ship board. any one of which
night cause an explosion and set the
vi fuel on fire
Hopeful of Success.
Despite these drawbacks, Admiral
lelviEc declares that he is not inclined
D be pessimistic regarding the success
III solution of the problem. He has no
esitation. he says. in declaring that. in
lew of the results already secured by
he liquid-fnel board, an installation
hould be effected without delay on at
EAST third of the torpedo boats and
estroyers. This would afford further
SYSTEMATIC study of the subject. On
lerchant vessels. where the structural
disadvantages OF warships would not
ave TO be overcome, Admiral Melville
elieves oil fuel may be used. and that
lie information gathered by the board