The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-31
STEAM FROM THE EARTH.
Interior May Supply Heat for PoweI
 at Surface.


 Interior May Supply Heat for Power | at Surface.
 It is promised by Scientists of high position that the internal heat of the earth may be utilized as a source of industrial power in the. near future.
 A thermometer lowered into the wells near Pittsburg and Wheeling showed an increase of a degree for every 50 feet, The temperature of the Pittsburg well at the bottom was 129 degrees.
 On the other hand, Prof, Agassiz found the temperature at the 490O-foot llevel in a mine at Houghton, Mich., to be no more than 100 degrees The Schladebach well shows temperature of 1855 degrees at the bottom, and the Sperenberg we'll 11S degrees.
 It is proved beyond 8 doubt that, although it varies in different local ities, the head of the crust of the earth grows gradually greater from the surface, and upon this argument is the theory based for a new and general source of power.
 The great diffieultytis not obtain | ing steam from the Interior of the earth, because that involves merely a little extra labor in Boring down into the hot area, and 1t, is comparatively as easy to bore down 10000 feet as 5000, but in order to, give the steam commercial value method must be provided for dropping the water to the hot area. allowing it time to heat, and yet having it returned to the earth s surface without interrupting its flow | for moment.
 Suppose two holes were bored direct- lly into the earth's surface, 12,OOO feet deep and 30 feet apart. According to the measurements made in the Pitts burg well, at the bottom there would be a temperature of more than 24O de- grees-far above the boiling point of water
 If very heavy charges of dynamite 1 or some other heavy explosive were to be lowered to the bottom of each hole and exploded simultaneously, and the process repeated many times the two holes might have a sufficient connection established. If only one avenue were opened between the holes I 1t would be enough.
 The shattering of the rocks around the base of the holes would turn the surrounding area into an immense water heater. The water poured down one hole in the earth would circulate through the cracks and Assures, the temperature of which would be more than 24O degrees, and in its passage if would be heated and turned to steam, which would pass to the earths sur- face through the second hole.
 The pressure of such a column of steam would be enormous. Aside from the initial velocity of the steam, the descending column of cold water would exert A pressure of at least 5000 pounds l to the square inch, which would drive up through the second hole everything movable This done, the water heater would operate Itself and a source of power be established which would sur pass anything now in use.
 Judged by the Pittsburg and Wheel | ing wells, two such deep holes would cost about $10,O00 mile, so that the plan might possibly be carried out for about $5O,OOO The benefit to science
 would bo many times that amount
 It might not be. necessary to go far, The estimate of depth is based on the Pittsburg district, but there are many places where the increse of heat would be much more rapid. The Yellowstone valley would almost surely yield com mercal temperature at comparatively shallow depth.-New York Herald.