I2O CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GASWORKS. 



Some of the causes may be beyond control, but others are 

 not, and by working on the lines to be indicated, there is 

 no difficulty in getting and keeping the unaccounted-for 

 below 10 per cent, of the output. The apparatus at the 

 works is in sight and in evidence, and if it is neglected, 

 attention is attracted to the matter. But with the mains, 

 services and meters, it is a case of out of sight and out of 

 mind. Occasionally, the neglect is the result of ignorance 

 on the part of the directorate, who imagine that sound 

 business policy consists in cutting down the expenditure, 

 and refusing sanction to any outlay that does not show an 

 immediate and positive result. If nothing has been done 

 in the way of systematic renewal of meters for the last fifty 

 years and it is not an exaggeration to say that this is some- 

 times so can we be surprised if the loss is high ? 



The unaccounted-for gas is sometimes spoken of as 

 "leakage." While more " leakage" takes place than might 

 be supposed, owing to the fact that gas is completely 

 deodorized by some kinds of soil, the actual loss by escape 

 from the pipes is only one cause amongst many. If 

 a crack or puncture exists, the leakage is continuous for 

 8,760 hours per annum. A respectable pin-hole will 

 pass i cubic foot per hour; so it is evident that a very 

 small fault will get rid of 10,000 cubic feet per annum. 



There will be a loss or deficiency between the quantity 

 of gas measured at the station meter and the aggregate of 

 the consumers' meters, even if the mains are bottle-tight, 

 and all the meters correct, due to the difference in tem- 

 perature. The average temperature at the consumers' 

 meters will be less than at the works meter. Gases 

 expand nearly i per cent, in bulk for a rise of 5* 

 Fahr. in temperature, or contract in similar propor- 

 tion under a reduction, and, therefore, 1,000 cubic feet 





