SUPPLANTING STEAM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10659, 12 May 1906, Page 6 (Supplement)

SUPPLANTING STEAM.

. " ;u— — — — — — INVENTION TO ABOLISH USE OF

COAL.

Arrangements are now being made to test. a new type of engine., which, if it prove successful, may cause a greater industrial revolution than that which 'resulted from the discovery of the steam engine or the application of electricity to motive power. The patentee is Mr Thomas Marsden, of Wigan, Lancashire, who has already achieved some success as an inventor. This new production he describes as a triple economic air engine. If Mr Marsden can justify all his claims, the business of the collier will be practically gone as far as industrial requirements are concerned, There will be no need to discuss the vexed question of the exhaustion of our coal supplies, and it will not be a matter of vital importance whether W|lsh or New Zealand coal is best adapted for the purposes of the Navy. MANY ADVANTAGES. Summarised, Mr Marsden's claims for his new engine are as follows: — I.— The economic air engine will save the use of coal and all cost of fuel. 2. — It will take the place of steam, which will not be required to keep the pressure of air constant. 3. — It will drive the locomotive, propel the steamship, work the mill, the forge, etc., 'without using either gas, water, coal, electricity, or oil. , 4. — It will entirely prevent smoke. ' s.— The economic cylinder will be more powerful- than any other type of cylinder of equal diameter. " 6. — It will save the use of large boilers, and not more than two will be required for a large works. 7. — With two or more boilers filled with compressed air up to the pressure required m each boiler, the economic cylinder will keep up the pressure of air if set to work. B.— lt will put more air into the boiler than it takes out of it. 9. — In locomotives and. other high pressure steam boilers . wear and tear is considerable, caused by fires and the use of dirty water; and constant changing of temperature and pressure, all ha\ir ing a. tendency to pull them to pieces and cause serious rents round rivet holes and other parts of the boilers. This wear and tear Will be avoided by the ; use of the air engine. \, . ' WILL WORK PERPETUALLY. . Mr Marsden informed a press representative yesterday that the economic cylinder, when the boilers m conjunction with it are once charged, will work perpetually if required, without a farthing cost' for fuel. "Fill the receiving, boiler once with a hand pump, or any other means," he said, "and it will. last for ever, providing there is no leakage." "The compressed air will do its work m the economic cylinder, and then pass as exhaust into another boiler, which is also connected with the feeding boiler. "The engine will drive the locomotive, propel the steamship, work the .mill, the forge, etc., without using either gas, water, coal, electricity, or oil."