AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 



*195 



I 



fcon which accumulates during the operation of making gas. By 

 the old process this cleaning was done when the retorts were cold, 

 and the scale adhered firmly to the bottom and sides, requiring 

 the aid of a bar of iron to remove it. Our improvement obviates 

 this difficulty; for by simply raising the cover of the retort, which 

 is set in a groove of fusible alloy, and admitting a current of at- 

 mospheric air, the carbonaceous matter is consumed and passes 

 off through a pipe connected with the flue, carrying with it all 

 the smell and smoke ; this is done when the retort is hot, and the 

 whole cleaning process occupies but a few minutes, leaving the 

 retort in a condition to continue the operation of making gas if 

 required. 



We find, since adopting this method, that our retorts are much 

 more durable, and the works, room, and attendant are no longer 

 begrimed witli dirt as formerly. 



The deleterious vapors of sulphuretted hydrogen and ammonia 

 escaping from coal are not emitted from oil, and of course are not 

 component parts of the gas made from it; in oil gas the same por- 

 tion of hydrogen is accompanied by a double portion of carbon; it 

 also has a large portion of olefiaut gas; so that a given quantity 

 possesses double the illuminating power of gas made from coal, 

 consequently the same nuniber of cubic feet are worth twice as 

 much to the consumer, and a burner consuming three cubic feet 

 per hour will give as much light from oil gas as a burner of six 



teet from coal gas. 



[j2 silver medal awarded. 



Ejtson's Machine fjr Picking Cotton, &c. 



