NATURAL GAS 391 



to convey Inr^o qiiantitios of gas a number of milos through 

 medium sized pipes. In after years a gradual reduction in 

 the pressure made it necessary to install powerful compressing 

 machiner}'. At first gas was used in the generation of steam 

 as a motive power ; afterwards the most successful and econom- 

 ical compressors were those in which gas was exploded directly 

 in the cylinder. 



Many of these compressor plants installed by the natural 

 gas companies are models of the highest mechanical efficiency, 

 some of the individual compressors developing as much as 

 2,000 horsepower and w^eighing from 250 to 500 tons. The 

 more recent ones are so constructed as to use natural gas 

 engines instead of steam engines for motive power. By the 

 operation of compressors with the gas engine there is a saving 

 of from 40 to 50 per cent in the amount of gas used, as com- 

 pared with that consumed under boilers supplying double ex- 

 pansion engines. One of the first gas compressor plants using 

 natural gas as a motive power is in use at Halsey, McKean 

 county. Pa. This plant consists of four horizontal gas cjd- 

 inders, in which natural gas is exploded, each having a diameter 

 of 25 inches and a stroke of 4 feet. These cylinders are set 

 tandem, two on each side of the main shaft, which carries 

 two 13-foot fly wheels and operates four compressor cylinders. 

 Two of these cylinders are high stage compressors, and two 

 are low stage compressors, the former being 15 inches in diam- 

 eter and the latter 31 inches in diameter; the stroke is 2 feel . 

 The main dimensions are : Length, 75 feet, and breadth at fly 

 wheel, 18 feet. In this engine one horsepower per hour is pro- 

 duced by the consumption of 9 cubic feet of natural gas. 



Since the first successful use of the natural gas engine 

 its application has been rapid as well as eminently success- 

 ful; wherever natural gas could he secured this engine has been 

 installed, and has fully demonstrated its economy and relia- 

 bility. One of its greatest triumphs is that it dispenses with 

 the costly and extravagant boiler. 



Its merits are fully demonstrated in its application to 

 the pumping of petroleum wells and the operation of the small- 

 er force pumps used in the transportation of the petroleum. 

 Its general introduction into the petroleum producing fields 



