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Modern Methods in Our Workshops
Use of Fuel Oil

(By S. B. Barltrop , Production Draftsman, Hillside.)

Economy in fuel consumption combined with efficient methods of power production and the abolilion of smoke, are amongst the most important questions associated with workshops engineering.

Perhaps one of the most difficult problesm with which the Railway Department has been faced, both from its own and the public viewpoint, is that which is popularly referred to as the “smoke nuisance.” This problem does not concern ourselves alone; most railway systems and large manufacturing plants are faced with it. However, the increasing use of electricity and the utilisation of fuels other than coal, have done much towards the solution of the smoke problem. In the scheme of workshops re-organisation on our railways, the question of fuel for power purposes has been closely considered (to the end of abolishing smoke, and conducing to economy) and fuel oil as a substitute for coal is now being employed.

As against coal, the process of combustion of fuel oil is perfect, and the desired results are obtained without variation or effort. Moreover, one of the most outstanding features of fuel oil is the cleanliness with which it can be handled and burnt in comparison with coal. Another point in favour of fuel oil is that the component parts are capable of being completely consumed; there are no harmful gases given off, and smoke is entirely eliminated.

Perhaps the most objectionable gas which can be generated by ordinary fuels is sulphur dioxide, which has a very pungent odour. Fuel oil is the least offender in this respect, having a sulphur content of only .098 per cent. as compared with coke, 1.5 per cent; and coal, which is as high as 4 per cent.

To meet the demands of modern engineering practice the Department has provided for the exclusive use of fuel oil in all branches of work in the workshops.

At Hillside, a 5,000 gallon storage tank (illustration No. 1 on opposite page), has been installed in a specially constructed pit, beneath the ground level, for the purpose of receiving oil by gravity from the fuel oil conveying wagons.

The oil is pumped out of the tank by means of an electric centrifugal pump (illustration No. 2) and supplied through service pipes at a pressure of 20lbs. per square inch, to vantage points in the shops. This certainly depicts the simplicity and cleanliness with which oil is handled.

A typical coal and coke heap is shown for comparative purposes—illustration No. 3).

All furnaces that were originally fired with coal fuel are now replaced with furnaces of better design, and operated entirely by fuel oil. It has already been found that a saving of at least 50 per cent. has been effected in this way.

Apart from the economies effected by the installation of oil furnaces, they have the additional advantage that they may be placed in any desired position, being in this respect more accommodating for shop lay-out purposes than the ordinary coal furnace.

Illustration No. 4 shows the tool hardening plant that has been installed in the new tool room at Hillside, in which all tool and die steels are made up and treated. This work was originally performed in a Smith's forge. The three furnaces in the plant are heated by fuel oil.