On purifying Coal-Gas. 371 
Might not the tedious process of forming the red oxide of mer- 
eury be considerably accelerated, by sending a minutely divided 
stream of air through it in the same manner from a gasometer of 
condensation ? The same holds good with cupellation, and many 
other chemical processes. 
I would recommend to those who are near a gas establishment, 
to provide themselves with what may be called a gas furnace. It 
consists of a thin metallic tube d, open at the top but closed at 
both ends, and bent in the form of a cornu ammonis, with about 
half an inch distance between the whirls to admit a free access of 
air from beneath. By this means a degree of heat may he pro- 
duced, which will combine the power of a table furnace with the 
uniformity and elegance of an Argand lamp, but without the 
incumbrance or the trouble of either. I am 
Your humble servant, 
LIX. On purifying Coal-Gas, and increasing the Quantity 
produced from a gwen Weight of Coals. By Mr. G. Lowe. 
To Mr. Tilloch. 
Sir, — Tue Number for this month of your excellent Maga- 
zine having just arrived, I have read with pleasure Mr. Parker’s 
letter on the subject of purifying coal-gas. At a time like the 
present, when the sources of real light are so highly taxed, and 
the materials of artificial light so dearly bought, we cannot be 
surprised that so many should be turning their attention to this 
excellent and too long neglected medium, in order to render the 
procuring of it so cheap that the humble cottage may not be de- 
barred of its benefits ; and so pure, that even the palace mav 
show forth its excellence. It is under this consideration that I 
feel Jess surprise at finding my own plans of purifying gas an- 
ticipated in the experience of Mr. Parker: with a difference 
only in the method of application ; for although we both agree 
in passing the gas through a high temperature, yet the very dif- 
ferent methods which we have hitupon of‘sopresenting it, will fully 
satisfy us both as to our originality of the same idea. Mr. Parker 
uses three ignited tubes without any other oxidizeable surface. I 
use only one, into which various oxidizeable surfaces are intro- 
duced. The experiments which led me to this method were made 
in March last, in which experiments the hope of so constructing 
a stove as to give off both light and heat, of simplicity of con- 
struction and with purity of gas, was the desirable object which 
stimulated my proceedings ; in the gaining of which, 1am happy 
to say, I fully succeeded, 
Aa2 To 
