I must now, however, pass on to some other topics. After the proper
production of the gas, we have still the processes of purification to
consider, and how this operation can best be effected at the smallest
cost, combined with efficiency and the least possible annoyance to
residents in the immediate vicinity of gas works. I think all gas
engineers are agreed that in ammoniacal liquor we have a useful and
powerful purifying agent, although each one may have his own particular
idea of how this can be most efficiently applied--some advocating
scrubbers, others washers. But these are things which each one must
determine for himself. But in whatever way it is applied, we know that
it can be profitably used for this purpose; and I am not without hope
that it may soon be found possible to remove nearly all the impurities
by this means.
At present, however, this is not so. And consequently we have a variety
of other methods employed for the complete removal of the impurities.
But, by whatever means it is effected, it is unquestionably the duty of
the gas engineer to send out to the public an article from which the
whole of the impurities have been removed.
In Scotland, no doubt, our chief purifying material is lime, although I
know that several of our friends have for some time been using oxide of
iron, and perhaps they will favor us with their experience and a
statement of the relative cost of lime and oxide. I am not aware that
either the Hawkins method or the Cooper coal liming process has yet
received a trial from any Scotch gas engineer.