388 F. H. OLIPHANT 



at least double the quantity of gas necessary to do a given 

 amount of work was consumed. 



In 1890 and 1891 many reforms tending to improve meth- 

 ods of storing, transporting, and consuming natural gas were 

 inaugurated. The meter was introduced, which at once made 

 it to the interest of the consumer to see that consumption was 

 economical. The wells were controlled from the head office 

 by telephones, so that when the supply was more than enough 

 the gates at the wells were shut. The wells were watched more 

 vigilantly, salt water was kept out with more care, and leaks 

 and joints and all pipe connections were carefully examined and 

 repaired. The use of large pipes by many of the gas companies 

 began about this time, enabling them to send larger quantities 

 to points of consumption at reduced pressure. 



Natural gas is used principally as a source of light and heat 

 in domestic service. It is employed extensively in industrial 

 establishments for many purposes, notably in the manufacture 

 of glass, in the generation of steam, puddling of iron, in roasting 

 ores, in heating furnaces, and in the manufacture of steel, and 

 it is also utilized as a source of power in the gas engine, in drill- 

 ing and operating oil and gas wells, and in pumping oil. The 

 heat value stored in natural gas is greater than that caused by 

 any artificial combination of carbon and hydrogen, and is a 

 perfect fuel as it issues from its original rock sealed reservoirs. 

 No preparation is necessary for its combustion and no residue 

 is left. It is not affected by ordinary temperature and it is 

 easily distributed by pipes to points of consumption. It is a 

 most economical source of light and power, and an ideal house- 

 hold fuel. 



The illuminating properties of natural gas vary in differ- 

 ent localities, because of the difference in the percentage of the 

 heavier hydrocarbon, ethane (CsHg). All the natural gas 

 found adjacent to petroleum fields has a larger proportion of 

 ethane than the gas farther removed, and therefore the candle- 

 power is considerably greater. Ordinary natural gas, if con- 

 sumed with a common tip at the rate of 7 or 8 cubic feet per 

 hour, will yield about 6 or 7 candlepower. In an ordinary 

 Argand burner with chimney, it will give about 12 candlepower 

 in consuming 5 to 6 cubic feet per hour. When natural gas 



