THE GOVERNOR. 145 



THE GOVERNOR. 



THE Governor is a machine for regulating and equalizing the flow of gas 

 from the gasometers to the street-mains, and is much more perfect in its 

 action than any slide-valve applied for that purpose requiring attendance. Its 

 use is nowhere sufficiently appreciated. Had it been a complicated piece of 

 machinery, or expensive in its first cost and after application, objections to 

 its adoption would not have been surprising ; but it is perfectly simple : its 

 action is certain and unvarying, and its first cost inconsiderable. 



The velocity of gas in the mains and pipes of supply is, in the first instance, 

 as various as there are differences hi their altitudes and extent. A main at 

 one place will furnish, with a certain pressure of gas, a flame one inch high, 

 while at a different altitude it will furnish a flame double that height. If, 

 again, in the direction of the main, there are many bends, angles, or contrac- 

 tions in its diameter, the velocity of the gas through it will vary considerably 

 more than if it were direct and uniform. If the pipe be of any great length 

 and of an uniform bore, but unequally furnished with branches, the burners 

 will be unequally supplied with gas ; those which are near its head will be 

 supplied with a fuller stream of gas than those which are situated towards its 

 termination. 



Independently of these differences, arising from diversity of local positions, 

 there will always be one great variation in the velocity of the gas, occasioned 

 by the variety of periods during which lights are required by different con- 

 sumers supplied from the same main or system of pipes : for example, when a 

 certain number of burners are to be supplied, and it happens that one half are 

 shut off sooner than the rest, the velocity of the gas in the mains will be 

 materially increased, and the remaining lamps must be turned down ; but 

 many would not be reduced, and the Company would lose much gas. 



The inequality thus occasioned may be seen particularly exemplified in the 

 case of houses situated in the vicinity of any large manufactories, and supplied 



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