228 REPORT— 1880. 



During a portion of tliis trial the intervals between coaling were too 

 prolonged, which diminished the rapidity of evaporation. 



With No. 2 blower ; diameter of steam nozzle -Jth of an inch ; ^ to 

 ■^ open ; duration of trial, 3 honrs 16 minutes — 



Evaporated 804 lbs. water to 1 lb. of coal, and 925"25 lbs. water per 

 hour. 



With same blower, |ths open ; duration of experiment, 4 hours — 

 Evaporated 6"5G lbs. water to 1 lb. of coal, and 1203" 78 lbs. water per 

 hour. 



With blower No. 2, full open; coal, anthracite 'big vein' (not the 

 * 9-foot,' called ' big vein ' of the Gwendraeth Valley ; duration of trial 

 2 hours- 

 Evaporated 6'59 lbs. water to 1 lb. of coal, and 1200 lbs. water per 

 hour. 



In the foregoing trials the pressure of steam was maintained at 40 

 to 45 lbs. 



I may here mention that Perkins's furnace, with Korting's No. 1 

 blower, has been in use for the past two years under the boilers at the 

 stationary engine belonging to the Metropolitan District Railway, and 

 situated on the Thames Embankment at the Temple Station, close to the 

 statue of the late Mr. Brunei, where it can be seen ; and it has removed 

 much inconvenience that they there experienced from great deficiency of 

 draught, which I have no doubt Mr. Speck, the manager of the railway, 

 will confirm. In February 1878 a patent was taken out by Mr. T. W. 

 Williams, whose name I have already mentioned, the object of which is 

 to apply a blower of a cheaper construction than Korting's, and to avoid 

 the noise created by the latter. This he effects by the application of a 

 steam-jet inserted into every alternate bar through a nozzle of about yV^^ 

 of an inch diameter. The furnaces thus constructed have given much 

 satisfaction, both in the use of anthracite as well as other coal, effecting 

 much economy in the cost of fuel, and they are in use in a large number of 

 the most important works in this neighbourhood and elsewhere. These 

 patents have been followed by one taken out by Mr. J. E. Elannery, in 

 September 1878, for effecting still further improvements, having the 

 same objects in view. 



First. The conduction of the blast so that it may enter the bars where 

 necessary from their length, or for its better application, or other- 

 wise, at both ends. 

 Second. When a steam-jet blower is used, in lieu of inserting a jet 

 into each bar, as in Williams' patent, he forms a blower in connec- 

 tion with each pair of bars. This lessens by half the number of 

 nozzles, and is intended to make the blast more effectual, and at the 

 same time to decrease the consumption of steam. 

 Third. By a hole in the bar at the end furthest from the entry of the 

 blast, he expels any ash or refuse that might enter through the 

 perforations, by means of the blast itself. 

 But for marine steam boilers there are objections to the use of steam 

 blowers, the chief being the quantity of steam they require, and the waste 

 of fresh water in the boilers, and consequently a fan or other blast is 

 desirable. In reference to the application of anthracite to marine 

 engines, a series of experiments was made last year on board the steam- 



