604 



GAS, HYDROCARBON 



Dr. Frankland thus sums up the advantages which he conceives to result from the 

 application of the hydrocarbon process to coals and Gunnels : 



1. It greatly increases the produce in gas from a given weight of coal or cannel. 

 the increase being from 46 to 290 per cent., according to the nature of the material 

 operated upon. 



2. It greatly increases the total illuminating power afforded by a given weight of 

 coal, the increase amounting to from 12 to 108 per cent., being greatest when coals 

 affording highly illuminating gases are used. 



3. It diminishes the quantity of tar, formed by converting a portion of it into 

 gases possessing a considerable illuminating power. 



4. It enables us profitably to reduce the illuminating power of the gases produced 

 from such materials as Boghead and Lesmahago cannels, &c., so as to fit them for 

 burning without smoke and loss of light. 



Mr. Barlow has also experimented upon this process of gas-making, and finds that 

 a very considerable gain in total illuminating results from its use. 



Mr. Clegg's investigation of this process showed, that whilst Wigan cannol 

 produces by the ordinary process of gas-making about 10,000 cubic feet of 20-candle 

 gas per ton; 16,000 cubic feet of 20-candlo gas, or 26,000 cubic feet of 12-candle 

 gas, can be made from the same quantity of material by the hydrocarbon process. 

 Also that by the application of the same process to Lesmahago cannol 36,000 cubic 

 feet of 20-candle gas, or 58,000 cubic feet of 12-candle gas per ton can be obtained ; 

 whilst Boghead cannel yields 52,000 cubic foot of 20-candle gas, or 75,000 cubic 

 feet of 12-candle gas. The following table presents in a condensed form Mr. Clegg's 

 results as to comparative cost : 



The principle of the hydrocarbon process is also adopted by Messrs. Lowe and 

 Evans in their patent process for tho manufacture of gas for illuminating purposes. 



In carrying out this hitter improved manufacture Of gas," the patentees pass gas obtained 

 from any of the sources hereinafter specified, through boated retorts containing cannel 

 coal, coal, lignite, resin, pitch, tar, oil, retinite. or other substance or substances capable 

 of yielding carburetted hydrogen gas; by which means such a combination of rich and 

 poor gases may be produced as will be exactly suited t<) tho purposes of illumination. 

 Km- this purpose, it is proposed to use retorts, open at both ends, as shown in tho draw- 

 ing given in fig. 1062, which represents a lontntixlinal vci'tic.il section of the apparatus 

 employed in carrying out this part of the invention. ' Only one retort is exhibited ; 



