A catechism on the combustion of coal and the prevention of smoke; a practical treatise

II *mj

(hap Copyright No

Shelf A.B-5L 7

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

M

JUST PUBLISHED— Twelfth Edition

Air Brake Catechism

BV

ROBERT H. BLACKALL PRICE, $1.50

JUST PUBLISHED— Seventeenth Edition

Locomotive Catechism

BY

ROBERT GRIMSHAW PRICE, $2.00

See back advertising pages of this book for full description of the above books

A CATECHISM

AND THE

PREVENTION OF SMOKE

A PRACTICAL TREATISE

FOR ENGINEERS, FIREMEN, AND OTHERS INTERESTED

IN FUEL ECONOMY AND THE SUPPRESSION OF

SMOKE FROM STATIONARY STEAM-BOILER

FURNACES, AND FROM LOCOMOTIVES

WILLIAM M. BARR, M.E.

Author of " Boilers and Furnaces," etc.

WITH EIGHTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW YORK

NORMAN W. HENLEY & COMPANY

132 Nassau Street

72555 jl-iOi%J7oi Ctmjj^J ^f^>^

S£C(>ND copy.

0<rfHmr«rf to

Copyrighted, 1900,

BY

WILLIAM M. BARR

Preface

This edition of combustion of coal is so entirely different from my former treatise that it is to all intents a new book. Much of the original material has been retained, but worked over and presented in new form. The aim of the writer is sufficiently indicated by the title page, in which it will be seen that the subject has special reference to the economical and smokeless combustion of ordinary fuels in the generation of steam.

The best book for practical and busy men is the one which is nearest complete in itself. In view of this fact, the writer has included in these pages much collateral information and useful data, not always bearing directly upon furnace combustion, in the belief that such information would be helpful and gladly received by those wishing to acquire a broader knowledge, including all the facts relating to the subject of combustion in general.

Unavoidable repetitions occur in this book, as it was thought improbable that it would in all cases be studied systematically from end to end, in which case the subjectmatter might have been shortened by means of cross references. In view of the probability that this book will be commonly used as its contained information is required, which will then be sought out by means of the index, it was thought best to make each answer as complete as possible, and without reference to the fact that the same data occurred elsewhere in this volume.

There has been a somewhat unlooked-for demand for

6 PREFACE.

such a book as this, mainly from locomotive engineers and firemen, by reason of the insistance on the part of the management of the more important railway lines that their locomotive engineers and firemen shall, among other requirements, undergo a satisfactory examination in the principles of the combustion of coal and of the laws governing the prevention of smoke ; this, with a view to securing a better or more rational method of firing, as well as leading up to the abatement of the smoke nuisance, which in many localities has become almost unbearable. For this purpose my former treatise was wanting in practical detail, and is a reason for a new presentation and restatement of this important subject.

The publishers have had marked success in the several catechisms issued from their press, and it was their desire that this book should conform in size and method of presentation with their other publications. But aside from this, no apology is needed, for no form of presentation is so popular with practical and busy men as the simple one of question and answer.

The questions are intended to cover every detail relating to the economic combustion of such fuels as are employed in steam engineering. The answers are, so far as the writer is able to prepare them, scientifically accurate. The authorities quoted in my former treatise have been used in this, and in addition thereto free use has been made of the several excellent papers by Professor Thorpe, on fuels, heat, combustion, etc. Acknowledgment is also made of materials selected from the writings of such authorities as Hoadley, Snow, Kent, Bell, Thurston, Sinclair, Barrus, Carpenter, and others.

William M. Barr.

New York, November, 1900.

Contents

7—8

II. — Some Elementary Data, .

III.— The Atmosphere, IV. — Combustion, ....