SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK SEAUNG 103 



tion is not available, the factory must rely on its own generator. 

 For the needs of the condensery a gasoline gas plant seems 

 suitable. Gasoline gas is produced by forcing atmospheric air 

 over or through a body of gasoline. The mixture of air and 

 gasoline vapors forms the gasoline gas. The gas generators in 

 use consist chiefly of carburetor, air pump or blower, and regu- 

 lator. The carburetor usually has a series of cells, connected 

 with one another by means of a system of syphon tubes. The 

 interior of each cell is partitioned off with heavy cotton wicking. 

 This wicking absorbs the gasoline by capillary attraction. The 

 air, passing through the fine meshes of wicking, comes in contact 

 with a large surface of gasoline. 



The following are some of the essential points to be observed 

 in the installation and operation of gas generators of this type: 

 Sink the carburetor low enough (three to five feet below the 

 surface of the ground if necessary) to permit the gas pipe to slant 

 from the factory to the carburetor. If the gas pipe is horizontal, 

 or inclined toward the factory, condensation water may collect 

 in the pipe, obstructing the free passage of gas. This causes the 

 gas either not to be available at all. or to reach the stoves in 

 irregular gusts, which is equally unsatisfactory. Where the gas 

 pipe slants toward the carburetor, the condensation water flows 

 back into the carburetor, causing no obstruction. Use gasoline 

 of the best quality only. Cheap grades form a residue and clog 

 the generator. The gasoline is best bought in iron barrels ; this 

 prevents unnecessary loss by evaporation, which occurs in wooden 

 barrels, especially in summer. The cells should not be filled more 

 than two-thirds full ; too much gasoline reduces the gas-genera- 

 ting capacity of the carburetor. If, during extremely cold 

 weather, the carburetor refuses to generate gas, the injection of 

 a pint of wood alcohol through the blow pipe into the cells, 

 usually remedies the trouble. The gas plant and gasoline storage 

 should be located in a separate building and at a reasonable 

 distance from the main building, in order to minimize danger 

 from fire. 



