East Wells (Onieda) Street Power Plant
N 43° 02.444 W 087° 54.677
16T E 425771 N 4765741
This electrical plant was a pilot plant for US development of pulverized-coal firing in power-plant boilers between 1918-1920
Waymark Code: WM234Q
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 08/27/2007
Views: 35
Text from the historical marker reads:
"Oneida Street Station
T. M. E. R. & L. Co
(Now Wisconsin Electric Power Co.)
In this station pulverized coal was first successfully burned continuously and at high efficiencies in furnaces of stationary steam boilers November 11-15, 1919. This radical departure from conventional firing methods of the period was vigorously opposed by some engineers during its early stages. It soon met with local, national and international acceptance, and has resulted in great benefits to mankind through reduced cost of electric power and conservation of fuel resources."
From the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) web site:
"Formerly known as the Oneida Street Power Plant, this plant served from 1918 to 1920 as the pilot plant in the United States for the development and use of finely pulverized coal firing in the boilers of steam-electric power plants. The results of the Oneida experiences were major changes in boiler design and lower costs of power generation.
Following the early years of central station electric development, experiments at Onieda Street resolved persisting inefficiencies at a time when coal was increasingly expensive and of poorer quality. Two marine engineers, John Anderson and Fred Dornbrook, devised a method for stoking a boiler with less effort by grinding coal into powder and blowing it into the furnace. They devised a water screen shield to reduce the formation of slag in the boiler, which contributed ultimately to the success of the modern pulverized fuel-fired furnace, and led to their success where others failed. (This plant no longer exists.)"
Location:
108 East Wells
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Type of structure/site: Electrical plant
Engineering Organization Listing: Other (specify in description)
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Web Site: [Web Link]
Date of Construction: Not listed
Engineer/Architect/Builder etc.: Not listed
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