INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1875. cclxxi 



composition of steam a gas of high heating power (which he 

 employs as a heating gas fuel in metallurgical operations), 

 and then enriching this by means of crude petroleum when 

 the gas is to be used for illuminating purposes. In its me- 

 chanical details the process is claimed to present marked 

 features of difference from others. In all other methods the 

 system of retorts or equivalent vessels heated externally has 

 been to a large extent followed. In this, however, it has 

 been entirely abandoned, and the materials for decomposi- 

 tion are introduced directly into the fire itself, by which, it 

 is claimed, there is secured the greatest possible economy 

 of heat. This difference is affirmed to result in important 

 advantages. The process is concisely as follows : The an- 

 thracite is charged in a small cupola of about 3 to 4 feet 

 in diameter, the bed of coal being kept from 3 to 4 feet 

 deep. When fairly ignited, the base is closed, and super- 

 heated steam is admitted through tuyeres a short distance 

 above the grate-bars. The steam in contact with the glow- 

 ing coals is decomposed, and water-gas (hydrogen and car- 

 bonic oxide) is formed. This it is designed to utilize as a 

 heating gas. To render the gas fit for illuminating pur- 

 poses, a jet of crude petroleum is directed onto the surface 

 of the burning coal, and the mixed water-gas and petroleum 

 vapor, generated in the same chamber, and simultaneously, 

 are passed into the secondary chamber of fire-brick, where 

 they are subjected to a still further increase of tempera- 

 ture, which treatment serves to render the product perma- 

 nent. Thence it passes through the washing and condens- 

 ing apparatus, onward through the lime-boxes to the holder. 

 The charge which has been used in some of the works where 

 this process has been introduced has averaged 280 gallons 

 of crude petroleum and 3600 lbs. of anthracite for the pro- 

 duction of 70,000 cubic feet of illuminating gas of a quality 

 not less than 20 candles, and at an average cost of 56 to 60 

 cents per 1000 feet. At Utica, which is the largest place yet 

 lighted by this system, it is expected to reduce the cost of 

 manufacture maintaining the same quality as above named 

 to 50 cents (or less) per 1000 feet. At these works, which 

 have lately gone into operation, two men, at laborers' wages, 

 make all the gas required by the city, the coal gas having 

 been entirely superseded. 



