The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-21
MELLIHGER'S ARTIFICIAL FUEL
GIVEN PUBLIC EXHIBITION.
BURNS LIKE ANTHRACITE
Months of Labor-QuickIy Ignited
in n Base-Burncr Stove-A Fierce
Hca. Given Out-Not Yet Quite Per-
fected Lacking in Density De-
feet Easily Renedied. Says the In
ventor-DetaiIs of the Trial.

IN the presence or a number OF gentle
men, prominent among whom was Com
missioner OF Street Cleaning Paul Igie-
hart, who had been invited to witness
the demonstration, n public test was
made yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock
at the tannery OF Mr.. Charles 4. Zipp.
1903 East Madison street of "terralig,"
the new artificial fuel invention by DR..
Jacob Mellinger. a we'll known chemist.
of 25lS Madison avenue. the story OF
whose experiments was told in The Sun
on August 10 last.
The first test, which was considered
by all present to be a most successful
one. was made in an ordinary base ur-
ner. Paper and a small quantity OF
wood were placed in the stove and a
number of small pieces of "terralig-'
placed on TOT In a very few minutes
after being ignited the fuel was burn
ing briskly and throwing out an intense
heat. No odor or smoke was apparent
after the wood had been burned. The
amount Of "terralig' used was about
six pounds, and the fire, which was soo
a mass OF hot Goals, lasted for over three
quarters of an hour and was still burn
ing when the guests had left.
Following the test in the stove a sec
ond one was made in the furnace which
runs the engine in Mr.. Zipp's place. The
Goals in the furnace were at a red
heat when the artificial fuel
was put in. and the latter ignited
almost Immediately and continued
burning until the fuel had been reduc-
ed TO white ashes.
The fuel used yesterday a been sub
jected to a pressure Of $4,000 pounds.
1t was in a cylindrical form about an
inch and a half in diameter by three
inches long. From statements made by
DR.. Mellinger it is the intention to Sc
cure a pressure Of from 5000 to 120, 900
pounds, which he claims will give the
fuel the required density, which he y
is all that is lacking to make his inven-
ton entirely satisfactory. When this
is done, and he expects to have some
Of the compaund manufactured at that
pressure shortly, the Inventor claims
that the product will then burn with the
same density as anthracite coal, will
last as long and will give out an amount
Of heat almost equal to the natural pro-
duct.
It was aid yesterday tina a company
is being formed, to be known as the
Terralig Fuel Company, and that a
number of capitalists in New York.
Philadelphia and Baltimore are ready to
back the company as soon as the final
tect is mad DR.. Mellinger also said
that he had information where proper
machinery can be had at once which
will turn out 200, 900 bricks of the terra
lig" every 10 hours. Each brick will
weigh about seven pounds. The brick
form has been deemed the best to be
used. After being made the fuel will be
broken into proper size and will then
be sent through a breaker, where the
different sizes will be assorted, as in
hare coal.
According to DR.. Mellinger and corro-
borated by Mr.. Hamill, who has charge
Of the financial end, acting in the inter.
eStS of the ones who are to back the
proposed company, the cost Of manufac.
turing the new fuel is already known
Though the rate to be charged would
not be given, it was said hat ii viii
be less thu half the cost of a ton of the
best anthracite Goa
Mr.. Hamill said: II believe that the
fuel will make a radical reform in tn
use Of anthracite and bituminous coal
because Of the ~cheapness, the greater
heat intensity. it's utter lack of smoke
and odor and the small quantity of ash,
:. IL vi Dt d boOH W liz Vic
because it is clean and can be handled
without making any dirt around tn,
house. There is no need for me to q
into the details Of the invention, for TIL,
Sun has already had an excellent ar
ticle. Neither will I say anything abou
the cost to the consumer. However
you may state that a company for il
manufacture is in the process of forma
ton and that we know of a proper plant
where the fuel can be made"
All the gentlemen present appeared t.
be exceedingly pleased with the demon
stration and expressed themselves a!
sanguine of the value of the invention
as Don as the material is put under
pressure sufficient to give IL the requir
ed density.
Commissioner Iglehart said: It's
good thing. All it needs is the prepel
pressure to give the fuel the required
density"
Mr.. Bauernschmidt: Il am pleased
at the test. More pressure will maxi
the fuel a success, / believe"
Mr.. Strauss: It's a good thing
Justice Robinson: 81 believe that tn,
new fuel will be a success"
Mr.. Klingstine: THE fuel is No. l.