6l2 
Petroleum as a Steam-Maker . [September, 
IV. PETROLEUM AS A STEAM-MAKER. 
f HERE are said to be 7,000,000 barrels, of 40 gallons each, 
of crude petroleum now above ground in the oil regions. 
Every hour adds to this ocean of oil ; in spite of 
the enormous consumption the stock accumulates. Every 
new use to which petroleum is applied possesses interest to 
producers, and the day that shall see crude oil take the 
place of coal as a steam-producer will be a glad day for 
mankind in general and oilmen in particular. That such a 
day is not very far distant seems evident after an inspection 
of the working, recently, of an oil-burning device tested on 
a river steamer at the Monongahela Wharf. The experi- 
ment is thus described in the “ Pittsburg Telegraph — 
The invention is the property of the American Hydro- 
carbon Gas Company (John Campbell, General Manager), 
and embraces simple but vital principles of construction, 
wherein atmospheric air and steam are combined in proper 
proportions with oil, and injected into the firebox beneath 
the boilers in the form of spray. The latter, being imme- 
diately converted into inflammable gas, becomes a pure, 
bright, powerful flame, devoid of smoke, and producing in- 
tense heat. 
To accomplish this result extremely simple machinery is 
used. A small hole is drilled into the iron front of the 
firebox, and into this passes a tube which branches as it 
leaves this point into two pipes. One of these connects 
with the boiler itself, and the other with the receptacle con- 
taining crude oil. At the juncture of these pipes there is 
an aperture for the admission of outer or atmospheric air. 
Valves of peculiar construction regulate the quantity of 
steam or oil admitted to the furnace. This is all the ma- 
chinery required, but its operation is wonderfully complete 
and remarkably successful. 
The little steamer Billy Collins was selected by Mr. 
Campbell for the test, and was fired up at 9 a.m. A preli- 
minary blaze of wood under the boiler raised the small 
quantity of steam necessary to start the burner into (tpera- 
tion. The oil valve was opened a trifle, the steam valve 
ditto. The petroleum trickled into the feed-pipe, was caught 
up by the steam, and both plunged into the depths of the 
firebox, a mass of many-tongued, roaring, brilliant flame. 
