ON THE GASES EVOLVED FROM IRON FURNACES. 143 
theory of the nature of the processes in the furnace. This research was 
afterwards pursued in a similar manner, and with confirmatory results, by 
Scheerer and Langberg in the iron-works of Baerum. Both these chemists 
have conferred a lasting benefit on this new field of metallurgical inquiry 
by their elaborate investigations ; and as their experiments agree with those 
performed in Germany, the generality of the law regulating the production 
and action of the solid and gaseous products of charcoal-furnaces is esta- 
blished. This is shown by a comparison of the results obtained at Vicker- 
hagen and Baerum :— 
\Composition* according to volume of the gases at Vickerhagen. 
Height above the tuyére ...|172feet.] 162. 143, | 133. | 113. | Saf. | 53, 
MVATEOPENM' Te. tacedsscinccaercsee 62:34 | 62:25 | 66:29 | 62:47 | 63:89 | 61-45 | 64-58 
Carbonic acid ............... 877 | 11:14 3°32 3°44 3°60 7:57 5:97 
Carbonic oxide .............+ 24:20 | 22:24 | 25:77 | 30°08 |} 29:27 | 26:99 | 26-51 
Light carburetted hydrogen| 3°36 310 | 4:04 2:24 107 | 3°84 1:88 
SESVUTOPOM 00 0000dn-scnseneech- 133] 127] 058 |. 177) 217] O15} 1-06 
Composition according to volume of the gases at Baerum. 
Height above the tuyére ...| 23 feet. | 203. 18. 153. 13. 10. 
Nitrogen ..... | TO PREGA 64-43 | 62°65 | 63:20] 64:28] 66:12] 64:97 
Carbonic acid ............... 22:20 | 18:21 12-45 4:27 8:50 5:69 
Carbonic oxide .....,......... 8:04 | 15:33] 18:57 | 29:17 | 20:28] 26-38 
Light carburetted hydrogen 3°87 1:28 1:27 1:23 118 0:00 
FAV ALOEN | oe neceeseg2sc-eneeevs 1-46 2-53 4°51 1:05 3°92 2-96 
100-00 | 100:00 |} 100:00 | 100-00 | 100:00 | 100-00 
A simple inspection of the comparison now instituted is sufficient to 
show that the law, regulating the changes suffered by the ascending column 
of gas in furnaces supplied with charcoal as fuel, is the same in those of Vick- 
erhagen and Baerum. In both cases the carbonic acid diminishes as we de- 
scend from the upper part of the furnace towards the hearth, until it attains 
a minimum, when it again begins to increase, without however reaching the 
proportion which it at first possessed. In both cases the carbonic oxide at- 
tains its maximum about the middle of the furnace, and diminishes in a 
greater ratio upwards than downwards. In both furnaces the quantity of 
carburetted hydrogen remains constant in the upper part, and diminishes, 
although still relatively constant, in the lower region; and finally, in both 
cases, an irregularity in the quantity of hydrogen, probably caused by local 
influences, is observed at all depths. . It could scarcely be expected that 
these phenomena should proceed at proportional heights of furnaces of dif- 
ferent sizes; but it would not be difficult to explain the influence exerted 
upon the maximum and minimum composition of the gases at different 
positions by the dimensions of the furnace, the nature of the materials, and 
* We have found it necessary to correct the calculations given in the original memoir in 
Poggendorff’s ‘ Annalen,’ as they are, almost without exception, erroneously calculated. 
tp The gas taken from a depth of 83 feet is anomalous in composition, but as this is ob- 
viously due to one of those disturbances which frequently take place in furnaces of small 
dimensions, we neglect the consideration of this analysis. 
i 
. 
