_Other products obtainable from Coal, namely:--Coal Tar--Pitch--Coal
Oil--Ammoniacal Liquor, and conversion of the latter into Carbonate, and
Muriate of Ammonia._
_Coal Tar._
The coal tar is so called from its resembling common tar in its
appearance, and most of its qualities.
This substance is deposited in the purification of the coal gas, in a
separate vessel destined to receive it. See fig. 3, plate I.
In the year 1665, Becher, a German chemist, brought to England his
discovery for extracting tar from coal, this distillation he performed
in close vessels. It is not mentioned in the records of the time,
whether Becher obtained, or rather collected, any other articles than
the tar.
Several works have been, at different times, erected both in England and
on the continent, to procure from coal a substitute for tar; but they
have turned out unprofitable speculations.
In 1781, the Earl of Dundonald invented a mode of distilling coal in the
large way, which enabled him not only to form the coke, but, at the same
time, to save and collect the tar. Even this process, however, for which
a patent was taken out, gained very little ground. Its object was too
limited; for though some of the proximate constituent parts of coal were
procured, they were obtained at an expence that nearly balanced the
profits; and no attention whatever was paid to the coal gas, which
constitutes by far the most valuable part obtainable from pit coal.
Coal tar is now used with advantage largely in the Royal Navy, and also
for painting and securing wood that is exposed to the action of air. The
wood being warmed, the tar is applied cold, and penetrating into the
pores, gives the timber an uncommon degree of hardness and durability.
The quantity of tar obtainable from a given quantity of coal, varies
according to the manner in which the decomposition of the coal is
affected. See page 122.
The tar obtained from Newcastle coal is specifically heavier than that
produced from cannel coal; hence it sinks in water, whereas the latter
swims on the surface of that fluid.
To render coal tar fit for use, it requires to be evaporated to give it
a sufficient consistence. If this process be performed in close vessels,
a portion of an essential oil is obtained, which is known by the name of
_Coal Oil._
To obtain this oil, a common still is charged with coal tar, and, being
properly luted, the fire is kindled and kept up very moderate, for the
tar is very apt to boil up in the early part of the process. The first
product that distils over is principally a brown ammoniacal fluid,
mixed with a good deal of oil. As the process advances, and the heat is
increased, the quantity of ammoniacal liquor lessens, and that of oil
increases, and towards the end of the distillation the product is
chiefly oil.
The oil and ammoniacal water which distil over do not mix, so that they
may be easily separated by decantation. The oil is a yellowish inferior
kind of naptha, which is very useful in painting ships, and for making
common varnishes. It has lately been employed as a substitute for whale
oil, to be burnt in out door lamps.
The contrivance by means of which this oil is burnt in lamps[61]
consists of a fountain reservoir to supply and preserve a constant
level. The burner with its wick is placed in the axis of the lamp, and
supplied with the oil from the fountain reservoir, placed on the outside
of the lamp. The air is admitted by an aperture at the bottom of the
lamp. The current of air in passing through the lamp envelopes the
burner and urges the flame, which is extremely bright; but it is
essential that the flame should be small. The draught tube proceeding
from the centre of the reflector above the flame carries away the smoke.
[61] All the lamps on Waterloo Bridge, and the streets adjoining the
bridge are lighted by means of tar oil.
1430 pounds of coal tar, produce 360 pounds of essential oil. The
residue left after the distillation is
_Pitch._
If the coal tar is wanted to be converted into pitch, without obtaining
the oil which it is capable of furnishing, the evaporation of it may be
performed in a common boiler; but as it is extremely liable to boil
over, the greatest precaution is necessary in conducting the
evaporation. A spout or rim is added to the common boiler into which the
tar spreads itself as it rises, and by this means becomes cooled, and
the boiling over is checked.
1430 pounds of coal tar produce 9 cwt. of pitch. A subsequent
evaporation with a gentle heat, converts the coal pitch into a substance
greatly resembling _asphaltum_.
_Manufacture of Carbonate of Ammonia from the Ammoniacal Liquor of Pit
Coal._
The ammoniacal liquor obtained in the gas light manufacture, is employed
for the production of carbonate of ammonia. The average quantity of this
liquor, obtainable from a chaldron, (27 cwt.) of Newcastle, or
Sunderland coal, amounts to from 180 to 220 pounds. It is chiefly
composed of carbonate and sulphate of ammonia. The quantity of ammonia
contained in it, varies considerably. The strongest liquor is obtained
from coal that readily cake, (page 45); a gallon (or eight and a half
pounds weight) of ammoniacal liquor usually requires for saturation,
from fifteen to sixteen ounces of sulphuric acid of a specific gravity
1,84. The weakest ammoniacal liquor is obtained from those species of
coal which do not cake, and which by a single combustion are reduced to
light ashes. It requires only from eight to ten ounces of sulphuric
acid, of the before mentioned specific gravity for its saturation.
The following process is employed in the large way, for obtaining
carbonate of ammonia from the ammoniacal liquor. To 108 gallons[62] of
the liquor contained in a cask, are added 125 pounds[63] of finely
ground sulphate of lime, which has been previously deprived of moisture
by heat. The cask is bunged up, and the mixture after being stirred
together for a few minutes, is left undisturbed for three or four hours.
Sixteen ounces of sulphuric acid are then added, the mixture is again
agitated, and is again suffered to stand undisturbed for four or six
hours. If the liquor be now examined, it will turn blue litmus paper,
red.
[62] One gallon of the strongest ammoniacal liquor, weighs eight and a
half pounds.
[63] This quantity is evidently too large, but the workmen assert,
that an excess of sulphate of lime causes the carbonate of lime which
is formed, to subside more readily, and the excess of sulphate of lime
can do no injury.
In this operation a double decomposition takes place, the sulphate of
lime yields part of its sulphuric acid, to the carbonate of ammonia of
the liquor, to form sulphate of ammonia, and the carbonic acid of the
ammonia, combines with the lime of the sulphate of lime, to form
carbonate of lime, which falls to the bottom, the supernatant fluid
contains in solution, sulphate of ammonia.
When the liquor has become clear, it is pumped out of the barrel into
shallow cast iron boilers, where it is evaporated slowly. During this
process, a portion of sulphate of lime is deposited which is removed,
and as the liquor becomes more concentrated, part of the sulphate of
ammonia begins to crystallize and falls to the bottom. It is shovelled
out from time to time into wicker baskets, placed slanting over the rim
of the boiler, that the liquor which drains off from the crystals may
not be lost, and lastly the whole fluid is evaporated to dryness.
108 gallons of ammoniacal liquor from Newcastle coal, produce upon an
average, one and a half cwt. of dry sulphate of ammonia. To decompose
it, one cwt. is mixt with one quarter of a cwt. of finely ground chalk,
previously deprived of moisture by heat. The mixture is introduced (as
expeditiously as possible) into cast iron retorts,[64] heated nearly to
a dull redness, and when the lid of the retorts have been rendered air
tight, the fire is raised gradually till the retorts are of a strong red
heat. The carbonate of ammonia developed from the contents of the
retorts, is made to sublime into a leaden barrel-shaped receiver,
connected with the retorts, by means of a pipe four inches in diameter,
proceeding from the upper extremity of each retort, and opposite to the
mouth piece. The leaden receiver is furnished with a leaden cover,
fitting into a groove, where it is made air tight by lute. The receiver
which is supported upon a stand is provided at its base, with a small
pipe, furnished with a stopper. This pipe is left open till the liquid
products are got rid of during the sublimatory process. In the centre of
the cover, or at any other convenient part of the apparatus, is made a
small hole, slightly stopped with a wooden peg, to give vent to the
elastic fluid that becomes evolved during the process.
[64] Of the usual form and dimensions, described page 58.
The time requisite for the operation depends on the mode in which the
retorts are set, the temperature kept up and other practical
circumstances. A charge of 120 pounds of the mixture of sulphate of
ammonia and chalk in one retort, is usually decomposed in twenty-four
hours. When the operation is at an end, and the receiver having become
cold, the cover is taken off, and the sublimed carbonate of ammonia
adhering to the sides of the receiver is detached by a chissel and
mallet, and after being freed from any casual impurities, is packed up
in stone jars for sale.
One cwt. of dry sulphate of ammonia, produces from sixty pounds, to
sixty-five pounds, of pure carbonate of ammonia. In some establishments,
the carbonate of ammonia is subjected to a second sublimation by means
of a gentle heat; but this is quite unnecessary if the process has been
conducted carefully.
_Manufacture of Muriate of Ammonia from the Ammoniacal Liquor of Coal._
It must be obvious that the ammoniacal liquor may be employed with great
advantage for the production of muriate of ammonia. For if the solution
of sulphate of ammonia obtained from the ammoniacal liquor by means of
sulphate of lime, as before stated, be mixed with common salt, (or any
other muriate) another decomposition takes place. The muriatic acid of
the common salt, unites to the ammonia of the sulphate of ammonia, and
produces muriate of ammonia, and the sulphuric acid of the sulphate of
ammonia, combines with the soda of the common salt, and produces
sulphate of soda, or glauber salt.
The liquor containing these two salts being evaporated, the glauber salt
begins to crystallize, and is removed from time to time. The evaporation
is continued till as much as possible of the glauber salt has been
separated, and the muriate of ammonia begins to crystallize on the
surface of the fluid in the form of a feathered star. The remaining
fluid is then run off into coolers, and deposits little else than
muriate of ammonia, till it gets below the temperature of 76° Fahr. at
which time the crystals are to be removed, lest they should be mixed
with glauber’s salt which now begins to be again deposited. After the
muriate of ammonia has been suffered to drain in baskets, it is heated
in shallow pans to drive off as much water of crystallization as
possible. It is then removed whilst still hot, into earthenware jars,
glazed within, and fitted with a cover, (having a hole of about half an
inch in diameter in its centre,) luted on with clay. The jars are put in
a cast iron pot over a strong fire, in a furnace capable of containing
from six to eighteen jars, surrounded with sand up to the edge of the
pot, and also having about two and a half inches of sand on the cover,
confined by an iron ring about three inches deep, and two inches less in
diameter than the cover, in order that if the luting should give way in
any part, it may be repaired without suffering the covers (which should
be kept during the sublimation at about 320° Fahr.) to be cooled by the
removal of a large portion of the sand.
These earthen jars may be filled to within two inches of the top, with
the dried salt gently pressed in, but not rammed close; and the fire
which has been lighted some time before, is now to be raised gradually
till the iron pots are of a pretty strong red heat all round, being so
placed by mean of flues in the furnace that the upper part may be first
heated, the bottom resting on solid brick work.
During the first impression of the heat, a portion of the salt carrying
with it a quantity of watery vapour not separated during the drying of
the salt, will escape through the hole in the cover, which must be left
open till all the aqueous part is exhaled: this is known by bringing a
piece of cold smooth iron plate near the hole, in order to condense the
sublimate, which becoming more and more dry, at length attaches itself
firmly to the plate, in the form of a dry semi-transparent crust.
At this time the hole is to be stopped with lute, more sand is to be put
on the cover, and the heat continued till it is judged that nearly the
whole of the muriate of ammonia is sublimed. The time requisite for this
purpose depends on the construction of the furnace, the size of the
pots, the briskness of the fire, and other circumstances only to be
learnt by experience.
The process should be stopped before the sublimation has entirely
ceased, as the heat in some parts of the jar may be too great when it is
nearly empty, and either by volatilizing a part of the salt itself, or
elevating a portion of foreign matter from which it can never be kept
wholly free, and thus giving the cake a yellow tinge, and a scorched,
opake, crackled appearance.
The same defects are likely to happen, when any part of the luting
having given way, is obliged to be repaired by wet lute, when the
sublimation is pretty far advanced: consequently glass vessels are
preferable, except on account of the expence, as they must always be
broken to pieces in order to get out the cake: the earthenware jars on
the contrary will serve for several sublimations, even the covers, if
well glazed, will last two operations. The sublimation being finished
and the apparatus having become sufficiently cool, the tops of the jars
are to be taken off, and the cakes of sal-ammoniac that are found
adhering to them are to be separated, and placed for a day or two in a
damp atmosphere, which softens their surface a little, and thus
facilitates the removal of any superficial impurities. Lastly, the cakes
are packed up in casks for sale.
The excise laws have hitherto operated strongly against the
establishment of manufactories of muriate of ammonia in England. Hence
an immense quantity of sulphate of ammonia obtained from the gas light
ammoniacal liquor, is exported from this country to the continent,
solely from the extreme rigour of the excise relating to the use of
common salt, and it is only this that has hitherto prevented the
establishment of manufactories of sal-ammoniac from the ammoniacal
liquor of the gas light process upon a large scale.
Chemical manufactories, of all others, will least bear excise, because
many of them are worked according to secret processes, which, if made
public, must pass into other countries; and the greatest part of the
profit ceases together with the export. The vexatious introduction of
excise officers into manufacturing laboratories, it is evident, puts an
end to all secrecy of operation. There are several chemical processes
which interruption will extremely injure, and others which it totally
destroys, and as on the whole they in general are of a nature in which
interference of others is most peculiarly vexatious, in all probability,
if the excise be extended to manufactures of this nature, it will
eventually put a stop to most of them, and greatly injure the revenue by
causing thereby to cease the duties which at present arise from the
exports and imports to a large amount, now depending on the chemical
trade of Great Britain.
We have now gone through all the improvements by which the gas light
manufacture has been distinguished during the interval which has elapsed
since the publication of our former work[65] on this subject; and
perhaps the reader may be inclined to think, from the extraordinary
height to which improvement has been carried in this art, that little or
nothing more remains to be desired with regard to it. Let it be
remembered, however, that the whole art is only in its infancy. There is
yet a wide field for improvement in the construction of the apparatus.
Ingenious men may speculate from what has been done, to what remains to
be effected, which no doubt will lead to objects of the greatest
utility, and most extended national importance.
[65] A practical treatise on gas light.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE I.
PAGE.
Elevation of the Revolving Gas Holder at the Westminster Gas
Works 181
PLATE II.
Gas Light Apparatus at the Royal Mint.
Fig. 1, Perpendicular Section of one of the Horizontal Rotary
Retorts with its Furnace 112
Fig. 2, The Purifying Apparatus 150
Fig. 3, The Tar Cistern 117
Fig. 4, The Gas Metre 214
The roof of the building surrounding the Gas Works is furnished
with a projecting Louver to let out the smoke.
PLATE III.
Fig. 1, Represents a perspective view of a Portable Gas Metre 219
Fig. 2, Perpendicular Section of the Horizontal Rotary Retorts at
the Royal Mint Gas Works--at Chester--Birmingham, &c. 112
Fig. 3, Perpendicular Section of the Gas Holder Valve and Siphon,
or Water Reservoir 222
Fig. 4, Perspective View of the Governor, or Regulating Guage,
for maintaining the Flames of Gas Lamps and Burners of an uniform
intensity 225
Fig. 5, Plan of the Horizontal Rotary Retorts at the Royal
Mint--Chester--Bristol--Birmingham--Kidderminster, &c. 115
Fig. 6, Transverse Section of the Gas Metre at the Royal
Mint--Chester--Birmingham, &c. 219
Fig. 7, Perpendicular Section of the Gas Holder Valve 221
Fig. 8, Front elevation of the Gas Metre, at the Royal Mint,
shewing the registering train of Wheel Work 218
Fig. 9, Perpendicular Section of the Gas Holder, Governor, or
Regulating Guage, at the Bristol--Birmingham--and Chester Gas
Works 171
Fig. 10, Transverse Section of the Air-Box, and Lime Trough, See
purifying apparatus 152
Fig. 11, Perspective View of a Portable Governor or Regulating
Guage 232
Fig. 12, Coal Tray of Horizontal Rotary Retort 116
Fig. 13, A jointed swing Bracket Lamp 257
Fig. 14, A Mercurial Universal Joint for Pendent Gas Lamps 256
PLATE IV.
Fig. 1, Transverse Section of the Retort Ovens, at the Westminster
and City of London Gas Works, showing the mode of setting and
arranging Cylindrical Retorts 69
Fig. 2, Longitudinal Section of the same 69
PLATE V.
Fig. 1, Front elevation of the Retort Ovens at the Westminster and
City of London Gas Works 69
Fig. 2, Perpendicular Section of the Gas Holder, without Specific
Gravity Apparatus, at the Birmingham Gas Works 177
Fig. 3, Plan of the same 177
Fig. 4, Perpendicular Section of Mr. Malam’s Lime Machine 143
Fig. 5, Plan of the same 146
Fig. 6 and 7, Mouth Piece and Cover of cylindrical,
parallelopipedal and semi-cylindrical Retorts, (exhibited fig. 1,
plate IV,) drawn to a larger scale 71
Fig. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, Gas Lamps and Burners 253
Fig. 14 and 15, Profile View and Section of Gas Mains, and mode of
connecting them 240
Fig. 16, 17, and 18, Perpendicular Section of the
parallelopipedal, ellipsoidal, and semi-cylindrical Retorts 53
Fig. 19, 20, 21, and 22, Union Joint, and circular bends for
connecting Gas Pipes 266
Fig. 23, Test Apparatus for certifying the proper manner of
working the Lime Machine 157
PLATE VI.
Fig. 1, Plan, showing the Fire Place and Flues, of the Horizontal
Rotary Retorts 113
Fig. 2, Longitudinal Section of the Collapsing Gas Holder, and
the Tank of ditto 189
Fig. 3, Transverse Section of the same 189
Fig. 4, End View of the same 189
Fig. 5 and 6, Horizontal plan shewing the mode of connecting the
end plates of the Collapsing Gas Holder 192
Fig. 7, Perpendicular Section of the Gas Holder, without specific
gravity Apparatus, at the Chester Gas Works 175
Fig. 8, Perspective View of the Revolving Gas Holder, at the
Westminster Gas Works 181
Fig. 9, Perspective View of the Reciprocating Safety Valve 196
Fig. 10, Plan of the Purifying Apparatus, or Lime Machine, shewing
the Air Trough of the Apparatus, with its axis and claws 152
Fig. 11, Sliding part of a Pendent Gas Lamp, which may be raised
or depressed 257
PLATE VII.
Exhibits an economical arrangement of a Gas Apparatus, for lighting a
town, or large districts. The central building exhibits the Retort
House. The roof is furnished with a projecting Louver to let out the
smoke. The gable ends, and one side of the building, are of
brick-work, the other side of the house is open, and supported on iron
columns. The building to the right hand side of the Retorts, is the
Purifying House, it contains the Lime Machine, page 149. The trap
door, marked A, indicates the Cistern or Reservoir for receiving the
Waste Lime. The third and smallest building in the design, serves for
an Office of the Director of the Works. The front wall is represented
as taken away, to show the position of the Gas Metre, the axis of
which drives the agitating shaft of the Lime Machine. The axis of the
Metre and the shaft of the Lime Machine, are for that purpose
connected by a strap, (page 213.) The small building-on the left hand
side of the Retort House, is a Smith’s Shop. T, shows the situation of
the Main Gas Holder Valve (page 221.)
INDEX.
A.
Advantages of the art of procuring light by means of coal gas 1
Air box of lime machine 153
Ammoniacal liquor, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of
coal 303
Ammoniacal liquor, quantity of sulphuric acid, required for
saturating a given quantity 303
Ammoniacal liquor, conversion of, into carbonate of ammonia 303
Ammoniacal liquor, conversion of, into muriate of ammonia 303
Apparatus for obtaining carburetted hydrogen gas from coal tar 285
Apparatus for purifying coal gas 141
Apparatus for certifying the proper mode of working the lime
machine 157
Argand gas lamp 253
Argand gas lamp, quantity of gas consumed by different kinds 275
Art of procuring coal gas, theory of 33
B.
Bat’s wing gas burner 255
Bends, for connecting gas pipes 267
Burner, argand 253
Burner, bat’s wing 255
Burner, cockspur 255
Branch pipes 239
Branch pipes, dip of 243
Branch pipes, mode of connecting 263
Branch pipes, mode of proving 265
Branch pipes, corrosion of 260
C.
Carbonate of ammonia, preparation of, from ammoniacal liquor of
coal 303
Cement, for connecting gas mains 241
Chandelier, sliding, for burning gas 257
Chester gas holder, description of 175
Coal, analysis of, by destructive distillation 35
Coal, chemical constitution of 42
Coal, classification of 41
Coal, comparative facility with which different species are
decomposed 106
Coal, chiefly composed of bitumen only, varieties of 42
Coal, chiefly composed of bitumen, maximum quantity of gas
obtainable from them 43
Coal, containing more carbon than bitumen 45
Coal, containing more carbon than bitumen, maximum quantity of gas
obtainable from them 48
Coal, destitute of bitumen 42
Coal, maximum quantity of gas obtainable from them 44
Coal, Gloucestershire 49
Coal, Kilkenny 44
Coal, Lancashire 44
Coal, Newcastle 47
Coal, Scotch 109
Coal, Warwickshire 109
Coal, Welch Stone 48
Coal, Yorkshire 44
Coal oil 300
Coal oil, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of coal tar 302
Coal tar 298
Coal tar, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of coal 122
Coke, quantity obtained in the gas light process from a given
quantity of coal, by means of cylindrical retorts 132
Coke, quantity obtained by means of horizontal rotary retorts 132
F.
Flue plan of setting cast iron retorts 59
Flue plan, report on a series of operations, made with retorts
worked on the flue plan 61
Fuel, minimum quantity required for the complete decomposition of
coal, by means of cylindrical retorts 61
G.
Gas, average cost of manufacturing it upon a large scale, in
London 106
Gas, apparatus for lighting a town, best situation of, as far as
it regards the most economical distribution of the pipes 249
Gas, apparatus for lighting a town, arrangement of 319
Gas, apparatus for lighting a town, at the Royal Mint 112
Gas, burners, different kinds of 253
Gas, quantity of, evolved during different periods of the
distillatory process employed for decomposing coal, in
cylindrical retorts 77
Gas, observations on the progressive evolution of, during
different periods of the distillatory process with cylindrical
retorts 79
Gas flame, mode of regulating the magnitude of 234
Gas holder, construction of, originally employed 164
Gas holder, sheet iron, best adapted for it 180
Gas holder, sheet iron, best adapted for it, cost of 164
Gas holder, sheet iron, lately adopted without specific gravity
apparatus 169
Gas holder, at Birmingham without specific gravity apparatus 177
Gas holder, at Bristol without specific gravity apparatus 175
Gas holder, at Chester without specific gravity apparatus 175
Gas holder, collapsing 185
Gas holder, collapsing, rule for finding its capacity 195
Gas holder, revolving at the Westminster gas works 181
Gas holder, collapsing, rule for calculating its capacity 185
Gas holder, valve 221
Gas from coal tar 286
Gas from coal tar, average quantity obtainable from a given
quantity of tar 286
Gas from oil 289
Gas from oil, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of oil 297
Gas from vegetable tar 284
Gas from vegetable tar, average quantity obtainable from a given
quantity of tar 284
Gas illuminating power of 271
Gas lamps 253
Gas lamps, diameter of the pipes for supplying them with gas 261
Gas mains 239
Gas mains, mode of proving them when laid 245
Gas mains, observations on 247
Gas mains, cost of a mile, laid under ground in London 252
Gas mains, of pewter, lead, and tin, why unfit for distributing
gas 260
Gas mains, weight of different lengths, of a given bore 251
Gas metre, construction of 214
Gas metre, construction of, at the Royal Mint Gas Works 214
Gas metre, directions to workmen for fixing it 229
Gas metre, rule for calculating its power 220
Gas metre, at the Birmingham Gas Works, registering capacity of 220
Gas metre, at the Bristol Gas Works, registering capacity of 220
Gas metre, at the Chester Gas Works, registering capacity of 220
Gas pipes, directions to workmen for adapting them to the
interior of houses 258
Gasometer house, of sheet iron, of a given size, cost of 178
Gasometer, tank of cast iron, of a given size, cost of 178
Gasometer, tank of brick work, of a given size, cost of 178
Gasometer, tank of wood, of a given size, cost of 178
Governor, or regulating guage 261
Governor, its application and efficacy 171
Governor, directions to workmen for fixing it 229
H.
Horizontal rotary retort. (See rotary retort horizontal) 110
L.
Lamps for burning coal gas 253
Lamps for burning coal gas, quantity of gas consumed by different
kinds, in a given time 275
Lime machine originally employed, defects, and dangerous
consequences to which it gave rise 141
Lime machine, lately adopted 149
Lime machine, at Birmingham gas works 149
Lime machine, at Chester gas works 149
Lime machine, at Royal Mint gas works 150
Lime machine, capacity requisite for purifying a given volume of
gas in a given time 157
M.
Mains for conveying gas 245
Mains, average cost of a mile when laid in London 252
Mains, manner of proving them when laid 245
Mains, kind of, most economical for conveying gas 251
Mains, which do not supply branch pipes or lamps, observations on 250
Mains, faulty, how distinguished 240
Mercurial joint for pendent gas lamps 256
Muriate of ammonia, preparation of, from the ammoniacal liquor of
coal 303
N.
Newcastle coal, maximum quantity of gas obtainable from different
kinds 47
O.
Oven, for heating retorts, (See retort oven)
Oil, from coal tar 300
Oil gas 289
Oil gas, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of whale oil 296
Oven plan, of setting cast iron retorts 67
P.
Pendent gas lamp 257
Pipes, directions to workmen for adapting them to the interior of
houses 258
Pitch from coal tar 302
Pitch, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of tar 302
Purifying apparatus, (See lime machine) 150
Q.
Quicklime, best method of preserving it for the purification of
coal gas 160
Quicklime, quantity required for purifying a given volume of coal
gas 162
R.
Reciprocating safety valve 196
Regulating guage, regulator, or governor 171 220
Regulating guage, at Birmingham Gas Works 177
Regulating guage, at Bristol Gas Works 177
Regulating guage, at Chester Gas Works 177
Retorts, cylindrical cast iron 52
Retorts, cylindrical, method of heating them by flues 59
Retorts, cylindrical, experiments on setting three to one fire
place 61
Retorts, cylindrical, experiments on setting four to one fire
place 53
Retorts, cylindrical, cost of erecting them 99
Retorts, cylindrical, best mode of working them 94
Retorts, cylindrical, minimum quantity of fuel required for
working them 61
Retorts, cylindrical, temperature best adapted for working them 94
Retorts, cylindrical, conical 52
Retorts, cylindrical, conical, comparative power of 55
Retorts, cylindrical, ellipsoidal 53
Retorts, horizontal rotary 110
Retorts, horizontal rotary, at the Royal Mint Gas Works 112
Retorts, horizontal rotary, at Birmingham 111
Retorts, horizontal rotary, at Chester 111
Retorts, horizontal rotary, at Kidderminster 111
Retorts, horizontal rotary, action and management of 121
Retorts, horizontal rotary, advantages of 124
Retorts, horizontal rotary, directions to workmen with regard to
working them 134
Retorts, parallelopipedal 52
Retorts, parallelopipedal, comparative power of 55
Retorts, parallelopipedal, best mode of working them 93
Retorts, semi-cylindrical 53
Retorts, oven, description of, at the Westminster and City of
London Gas Works 69
Retorts, oven, experiments on 84
Revolving gas holder, at the Westminster Gas Works 181
Revolving gas holder, rule for calculating its capacity 185
S.
Safety valve, reciprocating 196
Self-acting guage, (see governor) 171
Siphon 221
Sliding chandelier 257
South London Gas Works 69
Spigot and faucit pipes 241
Staffordshire coal 44
Swing bracket gas burner 257
T.
Tar, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of coal 130
Tar gas, quantity obtainable from a given quantity of coal tar 287
Tar gas, from vegetable tar 284
Tar, retort 285
Temperature for working cast iron retorts, remarks on 94
Test apparatus, for certifying the proper manner of working the
lime machine 157
Theory of the production of gas lights 39
Towns lighted with gas 149
V.
Valve of gas holder 221
Valve, hydraulic 116
Valve, of horizontal rotary retort 116 124
Valve, lime machine 156
Valve, reciprocating 196
Ventilation of rooms lighted by gas 276
W.
Water reservoir, (See Siphon) 221
Wheel work, registering of gas metre 218
LONDON PRICE LIST
Of the most essential articles employed in the manufacture and
application of Coal Gas; delivered free of expence at any Wharf between
London and Vauxhall Bridge.
_Cast iron Spigot and Faucit Pipes._
DIAMETER. THICKNESS IN THE METAL. PRICE PER YARD.
£. _s._ _d._
1 and a half inch 5-sixths of an inch 2 6
2 inches 3-eighths 3 6
2 and a half ditto ditto 4 0
3 inches 7-sixteenths 4 6
4 ditto half an inch 6 6
5 ditto ditto 9 0
6 ditto ditto 10 0
7 ditto ditto 11 0
8 ditto 5-eighths 12 3
9 ditto ditto 16 6
10 ditto ditto 19 6
_Cast iron Flanch Pipes._
1 and a half inch 3 0
2 inches 4 0
2 and a half inch 4 10
3 inches 5 4
4 ditto 7 3
5 ditto 9 6
Quadrant flanch pipes 14 0 cwt.
Bend pipes of different radii, branch pipes and
accommodating pipes 13 0 cwt.
From eight to six inches 13_s._ 6_d._ from 5 to 3
inches 14 0
Two, and 1 and a half inch 14 6
Siphon, water reservoir, or tar-well pipes, from 2
to 6 inches in diameter 15 0 cwt.
Ditto, above 6 inches in diameter 14 0
Gas holder, or hydraulic valve pipes, with boxes 15 0
Wrought iron work and screws to ditto 0 7¹⁄₂ ℔
Retorts of best picked iron, from second process 13 0 cwt.
Mouth pieces to ditto, ground and fitted 20 0
Wrought iron work and screws to ditto 0 7¹⁄₂ ℔
Connecting and stride pipes, ground 20 0 cwt.
Hydraulic cylinders 15 0
Tapering pipes 15 0
Outer fire doors 15 0
Inner ditto 11 0
Fire back, bearers, dead plates 11 0
Top, register, and slide dampers 14 0
Pullies, and friction sectors, turned and fitted 22 0
Wrought iron gudgeons for ditto, turned and fitted 1 0 ℔.
One inch bolts }
Seven-eighths ditto } at 0 0 5¹⁄₂ ℔.
Three-quarters ditto }
Five-eighths 2 8 0 gross.
Half-inch 1 18 0 gross.
Tar receivers and purifying vessels 0 14 0 cwt.
Condensing pipes, and inlet and outlet pipes for
tanks 0 14 0
Cast iron tanks put together complete, with bolts,
screws, cement, &c. 0 16 0
Gas holders, original construction, erected
complete of sheet iron 0 60 0
Gas holder, collapsing ditto, complete, capacity
30,000 cubic feet 1000 0 0
Gas holder, collapsing ditto, complete, capacity
15,000 cubic feet 700 0 0
Gas holder, collapsing ditto, complete, capacity
22,000 cubic feet 800 0 0
_Wrought iron Gas Tubes screwed and fitted, warranted to bear a pressure
equal to a column of water 300 feet high._
BORE. PENCE PER FOOT.
1 inch 10
7-eighths 8
3-quarters 7¹⁄₂
5-eighths 7
Half an inch and 3-eighths 6¹⁄₂
_Copper Tubes._
BORE OF TUBE. PRICE PER FOOT.
£ _s._ _d._
3-eighths of an inch copper tubes 0 4¹⁄₂
Half ditto ditto 0 6
5-eighths ditto ditto 0 9
3-quarters ditto ditto 0 11¹⁄₂
7-eighths ditto ditto 1 4
1 inch ditto 1 8
1 and a half ditto ditto 2 2
Union joints 3-eighths of an inch 8_s._ half an
inch 9_s._ 5-eighths of an inch 10_s._ 6_d._
3-quarters of an inch 0 14 0 per doz.
Union T sockets, 3-quarters of an inch 20_s._
half inch 0 14 0 per doz.
Three-quarters of an inch main cocks 0 4 6 each
_Brazed sheet iron Tubes._
BORE OF TUBE. PRICE PER FOOT.
_s._ _d._
3-eighths of an inch 0 3³⁄₄
Half an inch 0 4¹⁄₄
5-eighths of an inch 0 5
3-quarters 0 6¹⁄₂
1 inch 0 7¹⁄₂
1 and a quarter 0 10
1 and a half 1 3
£. _s._ _d._
Ornamental gas lamp posts, and columns, fitted
complete with York lamps glazed, tube, branches,
cocks, and burners, ready for lighting £. 6 6 0 each
Or castings for ditto 13 0 cwt.
Wrought iron work for ditto 0 7¹⁄₂ ℔.
Argand burners complete, from 2_s._ 6_d._ to 5 0 each
Iron roofs for retort and gas holder houses,
erected complete, at £. 6 6 0 per square of 100
feet, superficial measure.
_Cost of laying cast iron Gas mains in London. To take up the ground, to
fill in, but not to re-pave the ground, and to drive two and a half
inches of lead into the joints of the pipes._
DIAMETER OF MAINS. PER YARD.
_s._ _d._
3 inches 1 6
4 ditto 1 10
5 ditto 2 1
6 ditto 2 2
7 ditto 2 4
8 ditto 2 7
9 ditto 3 0
10 ditto 3 4
£. _s._ _d._
Tapping the mains and laying gun barrel, or
branch pipes 0 1 0 per yrd.
Governor complete to regulate every 24 hours
30,000 cubic feet of gas 60 0 0
A lime machine, new construction, to purify
30,000 cubic feet of gas every 24 hours 220 0 0
A gas metre, to register 30,000 cubic feet of
gas every 24 hours 105 0 0
A gas light apparatus complete, capable of
producing 48,000 cubic feet of gas every 24
hours, costs, if erected in London 8000 0 0
ESTIMATE
OF
~A Gas Light Apparatus,~
Capable of producing every 24 hours, a light equal to 21,330 tallow
candles, eight in the pound, burning for six hours.
£. _s._ _d._
Five horizontal rotary retorts, 12 feet 6 inches in
diameter, complete for immediate use 2320 0 0
Two lime machines, ditto ditto 536 0 0
Two collapsing gas holders, 30,000 cubic feet capacity
each 2000 0 0
A gas metre 200 0 0
A governor or regulating guage 100 0 0
Tar well 58 0 0
Pumps 67 0 0
Connecting pipes 265 0 0
Condensing pipes, between the retorts, tar well, and
lime machines 219 16 0
Retort house, with iron roof 653 19 0
Lime machine house, with ditto ditto 230 0 0
Workmen’s tools and sundries 430 0 0
----------------
£. 7079 15 0
This apparatus is capable of producing every 24 hours, 66,000 cubic feet
of gas.
THE END.
C. Green, Printer, 15, Leicester Street,
Leicester Square.
_In the Press_,
A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHEMICAL APPARATUS AND INSTRUMENTS,
WITH FIFTEEN QUARTO COPPER PLATES,
BY FREDRICK ACCUM.
WORKS
LATELY PUBLISHED BY FREDRICK ACCUM.
A PRACTICAL ESSAY ON CHEMICAL RE-AGENTS OR TESTS,
Exhibiting the general nature of Chemical Re-Agents or Tests--the
Effects which they produce upon different bodies--the Uses to which they
may be applied, and the Art of applying them successfully.
THE SECOND EDITION,
_Illustrated by a Series of Experiments._ _Price 9s._
CHEMICAL AMUSEMENT,
Comprising a Series of curious and instructive Experiments in Chemistry,
which are easily performed, and unattended by Danger.
_The Fourth Edition._ _Price 9s._
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS LIGHT,
WITH SEVEN COLOURED PLATES,
Exhibiting a summary description of the Apparatus and Machinery best
calculated for illuminating Streets, Houses, and Manufactories, with
Coal Gas; with Remarks on the general nature of this new branch of civil
economy.
_The Fourth Edition._ _Price 12s._
ELEMENTS OF CRYSTALLOGRAPHY,
_After the Method of Haüy_,
WITH PLATES AND GRAPHIC DESIGNS,
Exhibiting the Forms of Crystals, their Geometrical Structure, and
general Laws, according to which the immense variety of actually
existing Crystals are produced.
_Price 15s._
A MANUAL OF ANALYTICAL MINERALOGY,
Intended to facilitate the Practical Analysis of Minerals, by pointing
out to the Student concise directions for performing the Analysis of
Metallic Ores, Earths, and other Minerals.
_Second Edition._ _2 Vols._ _Price 15s._
A SYSTEM OF THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY,
IN TWO VOLS. WITH PLATES.
_Second Edition. Price 15s._
_Directions to the Binder._
Plate II, to face Title Page.
Plate III, IV, V, VI, and VII, at the end of the Book.
[Illustration: _Pl. III._
GAS LIGHT MACHINERY, AT THE ROYAL MINT.
_in Explanation of Plate, II._
_Accums, Discription of Gas Works._]
[Illustration: _Pl. IV._
_Accums, Description of Gas Works._
_G. H. Palmer, Del._
GAS WORKS.
_Westminster Station_]
[Illustration: _Plate V._
_Accums, Description of Gas Works._
_Gas Holder at Birmingham
without Specific Gravity Apparatus,
capacity 30,000 Cubic Feet._
_W. Read, Sculp.^{t}_]
[Illustration: _Plate VI._
_Accums, Description of Gas Works._
_Gas Holder at Chester
Without Specific Gravity Apparatus,
Capacity 30,000 Cubic Feet._
_Gas Holder at Westminster,
Without Specific Gravity Apparatus,
Capacity 15,400 Cubic Feet_
_W. Read, Sculp.^{t}_]
[Illustration: _Accums, Description of Gas Works._
_Pl. VII._
GAS-WORKS.
_Lowry, Del.^{t} & Sculp.^{t}_]
Transcriber’s Notes
Inconsistent, archaic and unusual language, punctuation and spelling
have been retained, except as mentioned below. The book uses a comma
for decimal point as well as for thousands separator.
The (minor) differences in wording between the Table of Contents and
the actual text headings and the use of £ (with or without full stop
and/or space) and _l._ have not been standardised.
Depending on the hard- and software used and their settings, not all
elements may display as intended.
When relevant, texts have been removed from the plates and transcribed
outside the plates.
Plate II, 'Accums’': as printed in original work.
Page xv, entry AMMONIACAL LIQUOR: there is no separate section for
this material, but it is described in the first part of the section on
Carbonate of Ammonia on page 303.
Page 43, 'Pont Tops': possibly Pontops.
Page 49, 'Tramsaren, near Kidwelly': possibly Trimsaran.
Page 79, table: the quantities given add up to 556 cubic feet.
Page 84, 'Enclosed are the result': as printed in the source document.
Page 86, Expenditure of Process A: the amounts given do not add up to
the total.
Page 103/104, calculation: the numbers given do not add up to the
first sub-total.
Page 196, example of capacity calculation: the dimensions given result
in a capacity of 22,500 cubic feet.
Plate III, 'discription': as printed in the source document.
Changes:
Footnotes have been moved to under the paragraph where they are
referenced.
Tables printed over multiple pages have been re-combined into single
tables; where relevant, items such as Carried Over etc. have been
removed. The lay-out of the tables with financial analyses has been
standardised.
Several obvious minor typographical and punctuation errors have been
corrected silently.
Page iii: 'as its little expresses' changed to 'as its title
expresses'.
Page x: entries for pages 80 and 81 moved to their proper place.
Page xv: page number for entry AMMONIACAL LIQUOR changed to 303 (see
above).
Page 42, 'principle coal mines' changed to 'principal coal mines'.
Page 43: 'Cowpers Main' changed to 'Cowper’s Main'.
Page 143: 'Melam' changed to 'Malam'.
Page 189, 'a fixed rigde point' changed to 'a fixed ridge point'.
Page 218, '10,00,000 revolutions' changed to '100,000 revolutions'.
Page 304: 'it will turn blue litmus, paper red' changed to 'it will
turn blue litmus paper, red'.
Page 312: 'sal-ammonia' changed to 'sal-ammoniac'.
Index: Lines used as ditto marks and the word 'ditto' have been
replaced with the dittoed words and phrases.