The Blue Book of Oil Burning and Burners

This is a technical handbook on oil burning and burners, compiled by Claude C. Levin and published by Ocean Publishing Company in 1920. The content covers fundamental principles of heat and combustion for steam boiler operators. It explains British Thermal Units (B.T.U.), the role of oxygen in complete combustion, and the importance of proper air supply ratios—noting that engineers achieve optimal results with specific gas analysis readings (carbon monoxide not exceeding ½-1%, free oxygen between 2-3%, and carbon dioxide around 15%). The handbook discusses fuel oil composition and refinement processes, distinguishing between paraffin-based oils from eastern U.S. sources and asphalt-based oils from Texas, California, and Mexico. Comparative data tables provide B.T.U. values for various steaming coals and fuel oils, with fuel oils yielding higher heating values (18,000-19,000 B.T.U. per pound versus 13,000-14,600 for quality coals). The text emphasizes smoke stack temperature management and eliminating air leaks for efficient operation.