New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-23
MAGIC WITH COAL ASHES.

A test was made at an electric light station
In Bellefonte, Penn, on Friday last the object
of which was 10 ascertain the soundness of the
claim Of an Altoona cObbler named Fillmore
that he can get an unexpected amount OF heat
by burning coal ashes. after sprinkling them
with a secret compound. Expert chemists have
regarded the proposition with skepticlsm, but
1t is asserted by the superintendent Of the
works where this trial was made that an ap-
parent saving of nearly 13 per cent was effected.
Mr.. Gilmore is not the only man who thinks
he can promote a similar economy by the same
means. James ". Geyer cherlshes such be-
lief. and test of his method, which presuma-
bly, differs from that of the Altoona cObbler,
was made In New York City two or three days
ago. It is said that Mr.. Geyer uses as fuel
a mixture consisting Of two parts Of ashes, one
of new coal, some water and a yellowish pow
der, whose constituents he did not reveal. Two
witnesses, a steam engineer and a member of
the American Society Of Mechanical Engineers,
were favorably impressed with what they saw,
though evidently not prepared to pronounce final
judgment
For any apparent success attending ventures
of this sort number of possible explanations
might be offered. 1t IS conceivable, for instance
that If heat was derived from the ashes at all
it was product Of carbon which was not con-
sumed at the first burning OF the coal Without
any violent stretch Of the Imagination, too, 1t
might be supposed that fresh carbon was sup
piled by one of the chemical agents applied 10
the ashes, or that some other combustible ele-
ment either existed In the ashes or was con-
tanned in the materials added to them
Mr.. Geyer is credited with thinking that the
hydrogen in the water which he uses is lib
Grated by his secret powder, and that heat is
evolved by the burning Of that gas Before &C
cepting his theory, however, the uninitiated
should wait until 1t is sanctioned by compe-
tent chemist and as yet no such confederation
has been made public. OF course if there was
anything in the ashes besides carbon which
would burn, the question arises why if did not
burn at the first chance. So far as wa ara
aware no one pretends that the carbon which
has been consumed is replaced by the chemical
additions made 70 the ashes. Carbon is pres
ent, to be sure, IN OXalic acid one of the sub-
stances which the Altoona cobbler is said to en-
ploy. The quantity used is so small. however
that its effect would be inconsiderable. What
Is more, Professor Pellew, of Columbia UDiver-
sity, remarked the other day that the carbon
In OXalic acid would not be available as fuel
anyhow. As the case stands, therefore. tbe
most plausible way to account for any heat
obtained from ashes is 10 believe that the coal
OF which they are the residue was not fuIly
burned at the outset.
and Mr.. Geyer's have been made in the last
twenty years. Some OF them have insDired mo-
mentary confidence in the minds of disinterested
observers. but hitherto the most promising Of
them have ceased to attract attention after n
short time The good results obtained at first
would not be steadily maintained or the saving
In fuel would be too small TO deserve consIdera
ton Though the men who engaged in these
researches may have been perfectly honest in
hn1u. lott,
! have proved fallaciOus The failures of others
do not prove that Mr.. Gilmore and Mr.. Gevor
nave deceived themselves but they warrant the
exercise OF caution in estimating the value OF
Their work. PROFESSIONALLY the owners OF
power plants have much TO learn concerning
combustion. and the discussions provoked nv
announcements like those here referred IN NAV
do good In the end; but there Is an unfortunat e
resemblance between trying 20 get beat out. Of