Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-16

PHILIPS FIRE ANNIHlLATOR.-A new inven-
ton, called Philips Fire Annihilator is now in
successful operation in England, and is attract
ing much attention in New York. A writer in
the ~ Y. Courier gives the following account
of this wonderful invention:
"Philips' Fire Annihilator extinguishes fire
without the use of water The machines are
of various sizes, depending upon the use to
which they are required to be applied. Those
ordinarily used for the protection of dwellings
and stores, are about the size of coal shuttle,
and weigh about twenty pounds each. They are
made of strong sheet iron, somewhat in the form
Of pail with strong cover, and with various
compartments inside Within these several d.
visions are placed number of chemical prepa-
rations, which, when brought into contact 10y a
simple mechanical contrivance, produce an inn
mense amount of gaseous vapor or steam, which
rushes out from an aperture in the cover, and
fills the room. This vapor coming in contact
with the flame, instantly eXtlnguishes 1t; altho
it can be breathed with perfect impunty. A
room that is filled with flame and smoke, so rs
TO be inaccessible under ordinary circumstances
can be readily entered with one of these ma
chimes in operation.
The annihiator instantly envelopes itself, and
the person holding it, in an atmosphere which
can be breathed, and at the same time keeps at
bay, and extjnguishes all flame in the apartment
| have not examined the chemical preparations,
or the results of their combination, as to state
the precise chemical effect upon the flame in cx
tnguishing it, But that such is the effect, no
one can doubt who has paid any attention to
the accounts given in the English journals
The London Times in giving a report of some
experiments witnessed, says: Before this ex-
pertinent was shown, Mr.. Philips gave sort of
explanatory lecture on smaller scale. He sta
ted that the great advantages possessed by the
gas employed by him over water were as fol-
lows: The gas was evolved at a Temperature of
abont 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and came in con-
tact with flame having temperature OF about
300 degrees, and under which temperature 1t
could not exist. The gas absorbed part ofthis
heat, and not only in proportion TO its original
volume, but expanded much as hundred
times more, each part still retaining highly abb
sorbent powers.
Now, water thrown into a body Of flame on
ly acted on the part Immediately in contact with
it, and although it might be used at, say 80 deg
Fharenheit, much lower than the gas, yet it was
found that very small portion assumed the
form of vapor in coming in contact with flame,
and spread through it the greater quantity fell
down by its superior weight and was wasted.
Mr.. Philips then showed an experiment to prove
this. He lighted coal gas in the hold of a mod
ell of ship, and poured jug after jug of water
on it without any effect, but Immediately the va
por was brought in contact with it the flame was
extinguished'
The cost of such a machine as have men,
toned, when charged, is about ten dollars, and
can be re-charged for dollar. One such machine
is sufficient for the protection of any ordinary
dweIling-house or store. Larger machines TO
run on wheels, and to which hose can be attach
ed and used for large fires cost from two to
three hundred dollars each.