+-------------------------+-----+-----+----+--------+----+---+--------+-----+------------------------+
| Kind of Oil | %C | %H | %S | %O |S.G.|FP | %H2O |Btu |Authority |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+----+--------+----+---+--------+-----+------------------------+
|California, Coaling | | | | |.927|134| |17117|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Bakersfield | | | | |.975| | |17600|Wade |
|California, Bakersfield | | |1.30| |.992| | |18257|Wade |
|California, Kern River | | | | |.950|140| |18845|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Los Angeles | | |2.56| | | | |18328|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Los Angeles | | | | |.957|196| |18855|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Los Angeles | | | | |.977| | .40 |18280|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Monte Christo| | | | |.966|205| |18878|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California, Whittier | | | .98| |.944| |1.06 |18507|Wade |
|California, Whittier | | | .72| |.936| |1.06 |18240|Wade |
|California |85.04|11.52|2.45| .99[44]| | |1.40 |17871|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California |81.52|11.51| .55|6.92[44]| |230| |18667|U.S.N. Liquid Fuel Board|
|California | | | .87| | | | .95 |18533|Blasdale |
|California | | | | |.891|257| |18655|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|California | | |2.45| |.973| |1.50[45]|17976|O'Neill |
|California | | |2.46| |.975| |1.32 |18104|Shepherd |
|Texas, Beaumont |84.6 |10.9 |1.63|2.87 |.924|180| |19060|U.S.N. Liquid Fuel Board|
|Texas, Beaumont |83.3 |12.4 | .50|3.83 |.926|216| |19481|U.S.N. Liquid Fuel Board|
|Texas, Beaumont |85.0 |12.3 |1.75| .92[44]| | | |19060|Denton |
|Texas, Beaumont |86.1 |12.3 |1.60| |.942| | |20152|Sparkes |
|Texas, Beaumont | | | | |.903|222| |19349|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|Texas, Sabine | | | | |.937|143| |18662|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|Texas |87.15|12.33|0.32| |.908|370| |19338|U. S. N. |
|Texas |87.29|12.32|0.43| |.910|375| |19659|U. S. N. |
|Ohio |83.4 |14.7 |0.6 |1.3 | | | |19580| |
|Pennsylvania |84.9 |13.7 | |1.4 |.886| | |19210|Booth |
|West Virginia |84.3 |14.1 | |1.6 |.841| | |21240| |
|Mexico | | | | |.921|162| |18840|Babcock & Wilcox Co. |
|Russia, Baku |86.7 |12.9 | | |.884| | |20691|Booth |
|Russia, Novorossick |84.9 |11.6 | |3.46 | | | |19452|Booth |
|Russia, Caucasus |86.6 |12.3 | |1.10 |.938| | |20138| |
|Java |87.1 |12.0 | | .9 |.923| | |21163| |
|Austria, Galicia |82.2 |12.1 |5.7 | |.870| | |18416| |
|Italy, Parma |84.0 |13.4 |1.8 | |.786| | | | |
|Borneo |85.7 |11.0 | |3.31 | | | |19240|Orde |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+----+--------+----+---+--------+-----+------------------------+
%C = Per Cent Carbon
%H = Per Cent Hydrogen
%S = Per Cent Sulphur
%O = Per Cent Oxygen
S.G. = Specific Gravity
FP = Degrees Flash Point
%H_{2}O = Per Cent Moisture
Btu = B. t. u. Per Pound
Calorific Value--A pound of petroleum usually has a calorific value of
from 18,000 to 22,000 B. t. u. If an ultimate analysis of an average
sample be, carbon 84 per cent, hydrogen 14 per cent, oxygen 2 per cent,
and assuming that the oxygen is combined with its equivalent of hydrogen
as water, the analysis would become, carbon 84 per cent, hydrogen 13.75
per cent, water 2.25 per cent, and the heat value per pound including
its contained water would be,
Carbon .8400 × 14,600 = 12,264 B. t. u.
Hydrogen .1375 × 62,100 = 8,625 B. t. u.
------[**Should be .1375 x 62,000 = 8,525]
Total 20,889 B. t. u.[**Would be Total = 20,789]
The nitrogen in petroleum varies from 0.008 to 1.0 per cent, while the
sulphur varies from 0.07 to 3.0 per cent.
Table 46, compiled from various sources, gives the composition,
calorific value and other data relative to oil from different
localities.
The flash point of crude oil is the temperature at which it gives off
inflammable gases. While information on the actual flash points of the
various oils is meager, it is, nevertheless, a question of importance in
determining their availability as fuels. In general it may be stated
that the light oils have a low, and the heavy oils a much higher flash
point. A division is sometimes made at oils having a specific gravity of
0.85, with a statement that where the specific gravity is below this
point the flash point is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and where it is
above, the flash point is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. There are,
however, many exceptions to this rule. As the flash point is lower the
danger of ignition or explosion becomes greater, and the utmost care
should be taken in handling the oils with a low flash point to avoid
this danger. On the other hand, because the flash point is high is no
justification for carelessness in handling those fuels. With proper
precautions taken, in general, the use of oil as fuel is practically as
safe as the use of coal.
Gravity of Oils--Oils are frequently classified according to their
gravity as indicated by the Beaume hydrometer scale. Such a
classification is by no means an accurate measure of their relative
calorific values.
Petroleum as Compared with Coal--The advantages of the use of oil fuel
over coal may be summarized as follows:
1st. The cost of handling is much lower, the oil being fed by simple
mechanical means, resulting in,
2nd. A general labor saving throughout the plant in the elimination of
stokers, coal passers, ash handlers, etc.
3rd. For equal heat value, oil occupies very much less space than coal.
This storage space may be at a distance from the boiler without
detriment.
4th. Higher efficiencies and capacities are obtainable with oil than
with coal. The combustion is more perfect as the excess air is reduced
to a minimum; the furnace temperature may be kept practically constant
as the furnace doors need not be opened for cleaning or working fires;
smoke may be eliminated with the consequent increased cleanliness of the
heating surfaces.
5th. The intensity of the fire can be almost instantaneously regulated
to meet load fluctuations.
6th. Oil when stored does not lose in calorific value as does coal, nor
are there any difficulties arising from disintegration, such as may be
found when coal is stored.
7th. Cleanliness and freedom from dust and ashes in the boiler room with
a consequent saving in wear and tear on machinery; little or no damage
to surrounding property due to such dust.
The disadvantages of oil are:
1st. The necessity that the oil have a reasonably high flash point to
minimize the danger of explosions.
2nd. City or town ordinances may impose burdensome conditions relative
to location and isolation of storage tanks, which in the case of a plant
situated in a congested portion of the city, might make use of this fuel
prohibitive.
3rd. Unless the boilers and furnaces are especially adapted for the use
of this fuel, the boiler upkeep cost will be higher than if coal were
used. This objection can be entirely obviated, however, if the
installation is entrusted to those who have had experience in the work,
and the operation of a properly designed plant is placed in the hands of
intelligent labor.