POWER FROM VOLCANO

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 12

POWER FROM VOLCANO

SUPPLY FOR TR AM SERVICE. AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT. To harness a volcano, for itlie purpose of .supplying .power lor -the electric train ..service of Naples is the daring project which is being made the subject of experiment in view of the -reawakening of the crater of the Sollat-ara, at Pozzuoli, above the city. For 800 vc-aris this crater bias- been considered extinct, until a few years ago, when two volcanic cauldrons opened in the base of the crater basin, while more recently an eruptive mouth appeared. Men of science consider that ii the forces, heat .and electricity, at- this point were -controlled bv power plant, it would be possible not only to provide .sufficient electricity for the supply of the surrounding towns, but for Naples as well. The great difficulty is in finding a piping which can resist tho corroding power of the hydrosulphides and sulphuric dioxide, of the .soil near the- volcanic mouth.

The Commune of Naples, had’a huge iron pipe sunk, but after .a short time it was entirely destroyed by the action of these gases. Later a smaller pipe of white metal was used, but this, too, corroded. So tar it I)as not been possible' to find a piping which lasts more than a few weeks after being sunk. The Solfatiara., ever since Roman times, has been celebrated for its curative properties. In Roman, days it.s baths were famous and to-day remains of t'hemi can he seen in the hillside. Since the war the sulphurous, vapours from the different apertures have brought health, to many ex-soldiers suffering from lung trouble.

During the past five years vast quantities of kaolin have been taken from the crater basin for the Neapolitan industry of chalk statuettes, it was this extensive digging which caused the ground to cave in, when a volcanic cauldron of lava mud made its appearance. A 'Small observatory was erected in_ order that the crater, could be studied. The volcano was given the name ol “Little-Vesuvius," although it is miles away from Mount Vesuvius, and situated on the other side of Naples. Experts consider the Pozzuoli crater a® far more wonderful' than Vesuvius itself. The heat generated by the mud cauldron is 100 degrees hotter than boiling water, and is tlm.s capable of generating power lor electrical purposes. Its vapours -also carry a positive charge of electricity. 'Pile only recorded eruption of lava from Sol fatara i.s one of doubtful authenticity, ascribed to the year 1198.