The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-24

Arnosrnsasc Lseur,--A correspondent Of the
Boston TsayelIsr. ]. H. Nieho's, communicates
the resalM ri Aons experiments ia producing arti-
fetal leAt - small sxPaass asd by simple APP
Av1iliug fsyAslf Of tAs fact that atmospheric air
taken up Hhd retains with great facility the vapors
ofcsrtaih liquid hydro carbons, have constructed
an apparatus in which common air is the vehicle.
and whioh affords beautiful and convenient light.
Ny apparatus consists Of a large tin gasometer,
holding one hundred and fifty gallons, which il
placed in the cellar and filled with air by raising
the inside cylinder, at the same time opening
stop cock on ting top. When filled, this is pressed
upon by weights ia the usual manner, aifording
constant current Of air, which ascends by half
inch pipe to the apparatus in which is placed the
hydro-caSbon. This apparatus consists Of two tin
vessels, three inches in diameter, and about six
inches in length. These are partially filled with
the liquid, and the pipe from the gasometer is 80
arranged that stream Of air is forced through tin
very minute bubbles. II is then conveyed to the
gas burners by pipes, and there lighted with taper
in the same manner as coal gas -si SIS
The light procured in this way is exceedingly
beautiful, far whittier, and more acceptable to the
eye than the ordinary gas of our cities. The appa
ratus described above, have had in operation in
my laboratory and place Of business for nearly
three months, and from experiment and through
testing, feei certain that it is known and
a few mechanical difficulties are removed, it will
come into general use. My apparatus supplies
four burners, two Of which are but wings the
others are ola peculiar from, somewhat like the
argand burners. The Jets used for coal gas will
not answer for the atmospheric light, as the orfces
are too small. They can, however, by the ex-
ercise of some skill, be altered and adapted to this
light A jet mtAeof movable pieces Of metal, and
adjusted by atceew, 90 as to regulate the flame
by the amo0ns u gas which escapes, is the most
proper kind ofburner. The highly volatilehydro-
carbon through which the air is forced, may be
procured in several ways but is best obtained from
coal tar by Installation.
The liquid will part with it's vapor at "a tempera-
ture of As degrees Fahrenheit, and afford light be-
low this it burns with blue lightess flame for a
short time, and finally goes out entirely. 1t is evil
dent then, that it will burn at the ordinary tempera-
ture of our all seasons but as the pocess
goes on the liquid is cooled rapidly by its own
evaporation, and therefore an artificial supply of
heat 10 necessary 10 continue the combustion.
This obtain in very convenient way by pas
sing a jet Of gas from the main pipe on to disc
Of metal below the vessel containing the liquid
and regulating the supply Of heat by the expansion
and contraction Of a bar of iron connected with
| the second pipe Thus arranged it is self regu-
latng and continues to afford an elegant light so
long as the supply of air and hydro-carbon con-
tnues. tih ~ ff,
A fluid ounce Of the liquid will afford as much
light one hour, as four Candles the fluid cost
iGg, when made upon large scale, not over four
Mills This estimate, which is correct or nearly
30, shows that this method Of artificial ilumna-
ton is cheaper than any other known method,
and in point of cleanliness and beauty far pre-
ferable .a,sf tlts tae