Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-11-21
CHEMICAL
ENGINE
A SUCCESS
Final Test Made Yesterday After
noon of Big Fire ExtingIiisher al
state House.

The final test of the new chemical
engine which was installed recently
at the state house was made yester-
way afternoon and proved even more
successful than had been expected
by the state authorities. The power
| of the engine was demonstrated by
IA. G.. Long. of the engine works In
Portland, and r. r. Shawcross, an
expect employe of the company. The
test was made before Governor
Chamberlain and Alderman Lowe,
OF Salem. The first test was made
from a point about midway Of the
dome where Governor Chamberlain
pulled the string which released the
engine and sent stream of water
Through 175 feet of hose for a dis
tance of so feet from the nozzle.
After the engine had thrown the
column of water and gas for ten
minutes the party descended to tho
basement where the engine is 10.
Gated and while the hose in the dome
was stfll in operation n second
stream was turned on from the en-
CINE room. The water was thrown
from the lower pipe 60 or 20 feet
from the nozzle. The test occupied
at least one-half hour and was COM
lpleted without break or leak in the
pipes and TO the satisfaction of all
who we're present.
The state house force was then
use. The capacity OF the engine
and given full instructions as to It's
use. The capacity OF the enginee
is 500 gallons and It's charge con-
sists OF 500 gallons OF water, 200
pounds OF English bicarbonate OF
soda and 100 pounds of sulphuric
acid.
The blcarbonate OF soda is put into
a solution of water and as the form |
OF carbonic gas is globular, myriads
OF these are in suspension in the
water. The sulphurlc acid contained
in 3 lead recepticles each being en-
cased in a copper sheath, having a
glass top into which fits a conical
lead cork.
The engine Is operated from any |
one of eight stations or boxes which
are distributed through the building
by breaking a glass in the front OF |
the box and pulling a cord. The
cable thus pulled Is connected with
a trap which release two heavy
weights connected with the engine
cylinder which causes the cylinder
to revolve. The effect OF this is to
release the lead corks above referred
10. allowing the gas TO escape from
the tanks and mix with the alkalir
water. The acid coming in contact
with the carbonic globules causes
them 10 burst thus releasing the
carbonic gas. the expanrive force OF
which creates the pressure which ex-
pells the contents of the cylinder
through the pipe system and the
hose.
The carbonic gas coming frcIl the
stream is the fire extinguishing pow
er. The weight of the engine cylin-
der is 5000 pounds. The fire boxes
are situated so that every foot of
the building can be reached and tho !
bronze cable which connects the en-
gine TO the boxes is eneased in three
quarter inch pipe, thus protecting III,
from rust or other damage.
The pipe system through which
the fluid Is conducted is one and
one-half inches in diameter and Is
of galvanized iron with long sweep
elbows to reduce friction. II is
claimed by Mr., Long the proprie-
tor of the engine factory. that the
cylinder will support a continuous
stream for one-half hour which Is
SUFFICIENT time TO extinglish any fire
II rightly handled,