242 CURRENT TOPICS. [J. F. I.

Fuel gas can now be tailor-made to fit individual plant or domestic heating requirements. A new process developed and patented by the Phillips Petroleum Co. makes available fuel gases of definite specific gravi ty and heating value which may be varied over a wide range. The H W G (hydrocarbon water gas) process combines two fundamental reactions: thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon gases or vapors, and water gas reactions between hydrocarbons and steam. Thermal decomposition reactions have been extensively studied and are used commercially to produce olefins, other hydro- carbons, hydrogen, a n d carbon. Water gas reactions between hydrocarbon Vapors and steam have also been studied extensively, primarily for the purpose of producing low specific gravi ty gas to blend with natural gas or to produce a controlled B.t.u. value water gas for city distribution. Patents on the H W G process cover a novel form of catalyst, method of operation and operating condi- tions whereby these two reactions are carried on simultaneously in a high tempera ture furnace under definitely controlled conditions. The furnace is of modern type radiant heat tube design, similar to those used to crack petroleum. Water is preheated by heat ex- changers and waste heat boilers. The other raw material, hydro- carbon gases and vapors, after careful metering and pressure regu- lating, is led into the steam pipe at the point of en t ry to the furnace. Upon passing over the catalyst this mixture of vapors is converted to H W G gas which is then led through a waste heat boiler, a cooler and a water separator into the gas main. Plants of this design can be built having capacities from 2,ooo to 2oo,ooo cu. ft. per hour. A wide variation in raw material is possible, such as propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons found in refinery vapors.

R. H. O.

Oil-Burning Locomotive Makes Long Trip Without Change.-- (The Oil and Gas Journal, Vol. 37, No. 7.) An oil-burning steam locomotive recently established what is believed to be the longest continuous run by a steam locomotive in regular passenger service. An engine of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad made the 2,227 mile run from Los Angeles to Chicago at an average speed of 45 miles an hour. Ordinarily this train requires four locomotive changes. The route includes some of the steepest grades on any railroad in this country. By the use of oil-burning engines the rail- roads are meeting modern demands for increased speeds. Fast- burning and efficient fuel oils and automat ic lubrication are im- portant factors in the new high-speed engines. Realizing this trend, the petroleum industry has developed new types of fuel oil to meet the railroads' needs. More than 55,000,000 bbls. of these

Aug., I938.1 CURRENT TOPICS. 243

oils, available in different grades, are used by the railroads every year. More than 6,ooo oil-burning locomotives, including diesel electrics, are powered by petroleum. The development of automatic lubrication for locomotives is an outgrowth of the swing toward longer runs. Locomotives equipped with mechanical lubricators need less terminal servicing. Special lubricants keep the engines running smoothly at climatic temperatures which may vary over a range of IOO degrees on a single trip.

R. H. O.

Non-Slip Safety Metal.--( Railway Age, Vol. IO5, No. I.) The American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company is now manufacturing an improved type of non-slip safety metal which is said to be highly resistant to rust and acid corrosion, and unaffected in its non-slip properties by water, oil and other slippery liquid substances. In the manufacture of this metal, electric furnace abrasive grains are applied to cast iron, bronze, aluminum or nickel silver, by a special process of casting. By this process the grains are said to be deeply and uniformly bonded into the metal at the time of casting, thus forming what is claimed to be a virtually indestructible bond be- tween the abrasive grains and the metal. The grains protrude suffi- ciently above the surface to give a " b i t e " to the metal. The method of manufacturing makes it possible to assure a wear and corrosion resistant " nose " to stair treads, as the abrasive grains are carried entirely over the " nose " and concentrated at this slipping point. The sluffing out and loss of abrasive grains due to corrosion along the " nose " are prevented by this method, as no grinding is necessary to remove raw fins of metal on the casting ridge.

R. H. O.

Oil Free Compressed Air.--( Power Plant Engineering, Vol. XLI I , No. 7.) Removal of oil from compressed air to give a standard of puri ty demanded by certain industrial applications is practically impossible. To take care of such conditions and require- ments, Sulzer Bros. of Switzerland have recently developed a reciprocating compressor designed for operation without cylinder lublication. This compressor is of vertical type with the piston rod and piston carefully balanced to eliminate lateral deflection. The piston rod is fitted with a crosshead and the piston is guided by a vertical tail rod. By this arrangement the distance between the piston and the cylinder can be reduced to a minimum without danger of contact. In addition the piston is covered with anti- friction metal in which circular grooves are cut to form a labyrinth