Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

340 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. wards as soon as the ice breaks up. Engaged in the transport trade on this inland sea are no fewer than 126 tank steamers, and nearly 300 sailing vessels, having a total carrying capacity of 200,000 tons (1,500,000 barrels). The distance from Baku to Astrakhan road- stead, at the mouth, of the Volga, is 400 miles, and the round journey is generally made by steamships in about three days. The depth of water at the entrance to the Volga does not exceed nine feet, and when a strong north wind is blowing the depth, is often reduced to from two to four feet. Transhipment has then to be delayed till the wind changes or falls. Under favourable circumstances the oil is transferred into barges from the tank steamers far out at sea, and a hundred miles from Astrakhan. The place where this transhipment is made is one of the most remarkable floating towns in the world, all of which disappears and seeks shelter up the Volga at the first signs of the winter frosts. It includes the custom-house, where all customs business is transacted, a public telegraph station, and general stores. There is also a hospital ship for the treatment of injured and sick sailors, and each of the large firms has its floating office, where a staff of assistants conducts the business of the company. Some 250 to 300 shallow draught barges are constantly engaged in conveying oil from the oil-tankers to Astrakhan and Tsaritzin, where all the great distributing companies have storage reservoirs. It is interesting to note, in connection with this inland shipping trade of Russia, that tankers of over 1,000 tons capacity have been sent in sections direct from England to the Caspian Sea vid the Baltic and the marvellous yet little - known series of canals which link up practically all the waterways of Russia. At one time the heavy residue of the Baku oils, left after the distillation of kerosene, etc., was deliberately destroyed as useless. As the residue represents over fifty per cent, of the whole bulk of Rus- sian oil, this wastage was a liquid Fuel and its Use. very serious matter. Presently it was discovered that if the astalcti, as it is called, were pulverized by a jet of air or steam and mixed with a sufficient volume of air, it burned with a fierce flame. This discovery revolutionized the industry. The formerly waste product is now sold for twenty- five shillings per ton at Baku, and sent far and wide to raise steam in locomotive and marine boilers. For its use special burners of the same general type, but varying in detail, have been invented. In a plain burner the oil is generally admitted through, an orifice sur- rounded by an annular steam jet, which so disintegrates the oil that it ignites instantly on the application of a light. Air burners are provided with, much the same arrange- ment, the air being heated before it reaches the burner by passing through pipes in the boiler flues. Air burners are preferred on ships and in places where fresh water is scarce, as the best steam burners consume from five to ten per cent, of the generated steam, which, of course, is irrecoverable. The advantages of liquid fuel over coal may be summarized as follows :— 1. Reduction in weight and bulk. 2. Re- duction in the number of stokers or attendants required. 3. Greater rapidity, ease, and clean- liness in replenishing supplies. 4. Reduction in the time required to raise steam. 5. More delicate adjustment of the fuel feed to suit requirements at any moment. 6. Instan- taneous extinction of the flame if necessary. 7. Entire absence of smoke and dirt if proper precautions are taken. 8. Freedom from clinkers and ashes. Oil fuel is at present in general use through- out the industrial establishments and railway systems of California, Texas, Mexico, Rou-