Year: 1870

-


Used as Fuel s-Successful Triai ON a Stu


tionary Engine by n New Process.


An article was published In the HERALD some
months since giving an account Of an experiment
had on board river steamer with coke Oil as sub
sttute for fuel Much claimed for the newly dis
covered fuel by the inventor of 1t and large num-
Der of professional gentlemen and others interested
In ocean traflc were board during the trial and
manifested the greatest interest In the experiment
But whether 1t was that too much was expected or
that the material used that occ aston was imper-
fecty made, the fuel proved be wretched substi-
tute Tor COAL and the HERALD reporter who described
the trial Of 1t and the incidents OF the trip up
the river had to chronicle the fact that the
discovery OF light, portable and heat-giving SUBJ
stance, more desirable than the anthracite or btu
mtnous product OF the mines for use with either
stationary engines or for river or ocean steamers
had yet to be made.


1t seems, however, that although the fuel used on
that occasion failed to fulfil the expectations Of its
inventor and OF those engaged In It's manufacture,
the problem OF how to apply crude Oil as fuel for
engines, without risk OF explosion and at rate
cheaper than coal, was already solved. The Petro.
leum Fuel and Lubrcator Company obtained the
right In 1868 to work Carpenters system for using
crude petroleum as fuel, and went industrously to
work preparing their machinery and perfecting their
arrangements for public trial An engine was
fitted up In amachine shop in Fifteenth street. which,
having been found to realize the most sangune
anticlpations, application was made To the HERALD
to send reporter to attend public exhibition OF it
and TO write the result for the Information Of Its
readers. When is considered that II it Is conclu-
svely proved that OIL can be used as substitute for
coal the effect on the market value OF coal
and oil will be very great and that the great gold
silver, lead and tin mines Of the West, which are
now worked at enormous expense can be despoled
OF their valuable contents at greatly reduced cost.
the Importance OF the result OF the experiment Is
evident. The boiler and engine were found IN full
working order by the visitors the shop; but be-
fore proceeding to demonstrate the merits OF the In
yentlon practically gentleman who said he was
connected with the company, and who was singu.
larry blessed with the gilt Of scientific gab," de-
scned the Invention Berefs Of saperaaoas mat
In placing In the fire box Of steam boiler
one or more iron tanks, surrounded by
circulates These tanks are filled with crude
petroleum, d0ated on water aud fired the surface.
Air Is forced upward through the petroleum in
to the surface, and II Is also forced into the flame
above the surface IN similar jets thereby producing
an intense heat. The volatile portion OF the petro
ieum beng from onethlrd TO 0nehalf IL thus burned
and steam made in the boiler, while the heavy por-
ton sinks to the tottom where 1t is drawn of as a
lubricaing Oil Of superior quality the cool water
surrounding 1t preventing its injury by heat


The product thus obtained has been subjected to
severe tests, and has In ali gwen perfect salts
faction as lubrcator, and by an improved process
OF treatment 1t can be separated into refined ubri
eating and Illuminating OILS, at very low COST Crude
petroleum Is now selling at fifteen cents
per gallon, two gallons or less OF which will yield
one gallon OF lubricating OIL worth, II taken at the
lowest market price OF an inferior oil, ffy cents per
gallon; thus not only furnishing steam power with
out cost but actually paying large profit. The use
OF the invention Is not confined TO making steam
but VIII be applicable to all heating purposes There
will be no necessity for coal passers and dremen,
and their wages will be saved. No room Will be
taken up for the storage OF COAL and there be no
dirt lumber about the lrer0om. The cost Of alter
ing from coal burning to petroleum engine is but
small In the use Of petroleum regards the patent
there can be no danger. No explosion could occur
as the fluid burns on an open surface and Is always
surrounded by cold water. Boilers Will last much
longer than when burning coal. there Is no sui.
phur Or other destructive element to iron In petro
leum.


SO much for the explanation OF the invention. As
to the practical test 1t entirely satisfactory On
the furnace being thrown open by the single attend
ant at the boiler OF flame was discovered which
burned hercey and steadily, giving as many pounds
or steam as was required. The flame was fed from
a small tank of petroleum outside the engine ROOM


on higher level, and connected by a small lead
pipe through which the OIL In finding its own level
tricked into the tank. The lubrlcating Oil poured
o the sides OF the boiler into vessel and
remained with great regularity. All the ma
chinery In the shop and the one adjoining was kept
going by this boiler, thus a0rding the best OF
the invention that could possibly be given. 1t was
shown to the visitors that the fire could be instantly
lit or eXtnguished. The trial entirely success
full 1t now remains TO he seen whether the inyen-
ton can be applied to boilers on steamships