Page:Science vol. 5.djvu/542

 tVoi- v.. No. IH,

��81; and this company, to which ihe United pipe- lines have also been trangfeired, is artlil to have $1&,000,OUO inveeted id plant for the transport of oil to tide water. Thej operate a total of SSO miles of main pipe-line alone, ranging from 4 inches va Q inches in diameter; or, adding the duplicate pipes on the Olean New-York line, we have a round total of \,^Stl miles, not including loops and shorter branches, aud the immense network ot the pipes In the oil regions proper.

A general description of the longest line will prac- tically suffice for all, as they differ only in diameter of pipe itsed, and power of the pumping-plant. As shown on the map, this long line starts at Clean, near the southern boundary ot New-Tork state, and proceeds by the route Indicated to tide water at Bay- onne, N.J., and by a branch under the North and East River, and across the upper end of New-York City to the Long-Island refineries. This last-named pipe is of unusual strength, and passes through Cen- tral Park. The followine table gives the various pum pin g-stat Ions on this Olean New- York line, and some data relating to distances between stations and elevations

��rumplnriuUoM.

�•lalloni.

�above tide.

�WMqbm

� � �F«l.

�Feel.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Saddle River

� � � ��On this line two 0-incb pipes are laid the entire length, and a third 9-inch pipe runs between Wellaville and Cameron, and about halfway between each of the other stations, ' looped ' around them. The pipe used for the transportation of oil is especially manufac- tured of wrought-iron to withstand the great strain to which it win bo subjected. The pipe is made in lengths of 18 feet, and these pieces are connected by threaded ends and strong sleeves. The pipe-thread and sleeves used on the ordinary steam and water pipe are not strong enough for the duty demanded of the oil-pipe. Up to 1S77, the largest pipe used on the oil-liTies was 4-inch, with the usual steam thread; but the joints leaked under the pressure, 1,200 pounds to the square Inch being the maximum the pipe would stand. This trouhte has been remedied by the pipe gf the present day, which is tested at the mill 16 1,500 pounds' pressure, while the average doty required Is 1,200 pounds. As the Iron used in the manufacture of this line-pipe will average a tensile lest strain of 55,(XX> pounds per square inch, the safety factor is about one-sixth.

��The line-pipe is laid between the BtAtiotia in the ordinary manner, excepting that great care la exer- cised in perfecting the joints. No expansion joints or other sjiecial appliances ot like nature are us«d on the line, so far as we can learn: the varJAtlons in temperature being compensated for, in exposed locations, by laying the pipe in long lioriiont«I curves. The usual depth below the surface is about 3 feet, though in some portions of the route the pipe lies tor miles exposed directly upon the surface. Aa the oil pnmped is crude oil, and this, as it comes from the wells, carries with it a considerable propor- tion of brine, freezing in the pipes is not to be appre- hended. The oil, however, does thicken in very cold weather, and the temperature has a considerable influence on the deliver]'.

A very ingenious patented device is used for clean- ing out the pipes, and by it the deliver; ta said to have been increased in cert^n localities fifty pereeajt. This Is a stem about 2j feet long, having at its front end a diaphragm madeot wings which can fold oneAcli other, and thus enable it to pass an obstruction it cannot remove. Tlils machine carries a set ot steel scrapers somewhat like those used in cleaning boil- ers. The device is put into the pipe, and propelled by the pressure transmitted from the pumps from one station to another. Relays of men follow the scraper by the noise it makes as it goes through the pipe, one parly taking up the pursuit as the other is e^aosted. They must never let it get out of their hearing, for, if it stops unnoticed, its location can only again be established by cutting the pipe.

At each station are two iron tanks 90 feet iu diam- eter and 30 feet high. Into these tanka the oil is delivered from the preceding station, and from Lbem the oil is pumped into the tanks at the next station beyond. The pipe system at each station is simple, and by means of the ' loop-lines ' before mentioned, the oil can be pumped directly around any st«tion If occasion should require it.

The engines vary in power from 200 lo 800 horse- power, according to duty required. They are In con- tinuous use, day and night, and are required to deliver about l.'i.OOO bajrels of crude oil per 24 hours, under a pressure equivalent to au elevation of 3,S00 feet.

The enterprise has been so far a great engineering success, and the oil delivery is staled on good author- ity to be within two per cent of the theoretical capa- city of the pipes. From a cnmmerciat stand-poiDt> the ultimate future of the uiidertaldng will be deter- mined by the lasting qualities of wroughl-iron pipe buried In the ground, and subjected to enorraoua strain. Time alone can answer this question.

��THE STUDY OF BACTERIA.

Tins is the best summary of the methods

best adnpted for bacterial resenrc-h that has aa

yet been pitblished. It contains little that ia

Ditinrthodrn ritt liakUritn-foTKhMng. Vva Dr. PeatHXAKit

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