Produced by Richard Prairie, Tonya Allen, Juliet Sutherland,
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ACETYLENE
THE PRINCIPLES OF ITS GENERATION AND USE
A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK ON THE PRODUCTION, PURIFICATION, AND SUBSEQUENT
TREATMENT OF ACETYLENE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT, HEAT, AND POWER
Second Edition
REVISED AND ENLARGED
BY
F. H. LEEDS, F.I.C.
FOR SOME YEARS TECHNICAL EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL "ACETYLENE"
AND
W. J. ATKINSON BUTTERFIELD, M.A.
AUTHOR OF "THE CHEMISTRY OF GAS MANUFACTURE"
PREFATORY NOTE TO THE FIRST EDITION
In compiling this work on the uses and application of acetylene, the
special aim of the authors has been to explain the various physical and
chemical phenomena:
(1) Accompanying the generation of acetylene from calcium carbide and
water.
(2) Accompanying the combustion of the gas in luminous or incandescent
burners, and
(3) Its employment for any purpose--(a) neat, (b) compressed into
cylinders, (c) diluted, and (d) as an enriching material.
They have essayed a comparison between the value of acetylene and other
illuminants on the basis of "illuminating effect" instead of on the
misleading basis of pure "illuminating power," a distinction which they
hope and believe will do much to clear up the misconceptions existing on
the subject. Tables are included, for the first time (it is believed) in
English publications, of the proper sizes of mains and service-pipes for
delivering acetylene at different effective pressures, which, it is
hoped, will prove of use to those concerned in the installation of
acetylene lighting systems.
_June_ 1903
NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The revision of this work for a new edition was already far advanced when
it was interrupted by the sudden death on April 30, 1908, of Mr. F. H.
Leeds. The revision was thereafter continued single-handed, with the help
of very full notes which Mr. Leeds had prepared, by the undersigned. It
had been agreed prior to Mr. Leeds' death that it would add to the
utility of the work if descriptions of a number of representative
acetylene generators were given in an Appendix, such as that which now
appears at the conclusion of this volume. Thanks are due to the numerous
firms and individuals who have assisted by supplying information for use
in this Appendix.
W. J. ATKINSON BUTTERFIELD
WESTMINSTER
_August 1909_
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY--THE COST AND ADVANTAGES OF ACETYLENE LIGHTING
Intrinsic advantages
Hygienic advantages
Acetylene and paraffin oil
Blackened ceilings
Cost of acetylene lighting
Cost of acetylene and coal-gas
Cost of acetylene and electric lighting
Cost of acetylene and paraffin oil
Cost of acetylene and air-gas
Cost of acetylene and candles
Tabular statement of costs (_to face_)
Illuminating power and effect