230 



RESEARCHES UPON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GASES. 



and of gas occluded in coal. In only one case is carbon monoxide mentioned, but it 

 is distinctly stated that its occurrence was not proved. Ethylene is mentioned in 

 six cases, but Muck states that more recent analyses have failed to demonstrate its 

 presence usually in gas from coal. The absence of hydrogen in all the analyses is 

 especially noticeable. In the case of gases from the Caspian region, the presence of 

 ethylene and carbon monoxide is to be anticipated, as, from all accounts, subterra- 

 nean heat has been concerned in their production (see Table of Analyses). 



Thomas ( Wattes Die, Third Supp., p. 529) gives analyses of fourteen samples 

 of gas occluded by coal and also of gas from blowers in coal mines in I^Tew South 

 Wales. The analyses showed the presence of methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide 

 and oxygen; but no carbon monoxide, hydrogen or ethylene was found. Franke 

 (J. Pr. Cliem. (2), XXXYII, pp. 101, 113) gives analyses of mine gases, according 

 to which only carbon dioxide and methane were found. Winkler (Jaliresb., 1882, 

 p. 1063) found no hydrogen in nine samples of mine gas. Many similar statements 

 might be cited, all tending to prove that hydrogen, ethylene and carbon monoxide 

 do not occur in gases occluded in coal. 



The occurrence of gas consisting of nearly pure nitrogen, such as that obtained 

 at Middlesborough, England (see Table of Analyses), in a region therefore where 

 gas similar to Pennsylvania natural gas might be looked for, may perhaps be ex- 

 plained by the action of subtei-ranean water upon deposits of coal or bituminous 

 shale. The dissolved air in such waters, by causing slow oxidation, might lead to 



CONSTITUENTS. 



1 



3 



3 



4 



5 



6 



7 



8 



Carbon monoxide 







0.95 

 4.11 

 93.49 

 0.94 

 2.13 







3.18 

 3.26 

 93.07 

 0.98 

 0.49 







3.50 

 4.26 

 93.24 

 





 

 



95.39 

 







3.47 



97.57 

 







4.44 

 

 95.56 

 





 

 



1.90 

 

 96.57 

 1.53 







Carbon dioxide 



0.3 



defines 





Metrbane 





Hydrogen 





Nitrogen 



96 8 



Oxygen 



3 9 









100.62 



99.98 



100.00 



.... 



100.04 



100.00 



100.00 



100.00 



Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, natural gns from Uie Caspian region. Communicated b\' letter from Mr. M. Bcliauing, 

 of Nobel Bros., St. Petersburg. No. 4 is the result of a partial analysis. Nos. 7 and 8, gas obtained by deep 

 borings at Middlesborough, England (Bedson, J. Ch. Soc, 1888, p. 663). 



the production of carbon dioxide and the consequent removal of oxygen from the 



