The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-18
WATER GAS IN FRANCE.
of the Journal Of Commerce.
PARIS, 18th Dec. 1850

PARIS, 18th Dec 1850.
Having been present, by invitation, mt an ex
hibition to attest the merits of recent remarkr-
BILE invention, WINS so much interested that
determined to give you some account of it,
There were present quite a number of Ameri-
cans, among Others the Secretary Of the Lcga-
ton; ard believe they all expressed themselves
highly gratifed
The process of making pure gas from water
has been discovered The problem is solved
We saw proofs in abundance that most bril-.
liant white light, and intense heat, can be pro-
duccd from it with perfect ease and the great
est economy. Not TO annoy your readers with
technical details, it is sufficient to say-that by
the decomposition Of water, by simple and
cheap process, pure hydrogen gas is produced
which can be conveyed in pipes, and employed
in precisely the same way as ordinary gas
Upon turning stoP-cock and applying match
II burns instantly with blucisl fame not un-
like alcohol. This is its natural state, and be-
lieve Mr. Paine Of whose failures we have heard
succeeded thus far. The flame is changed to q
white color, by means so simple that il appears
iabulous-it is in fact the browning point Of the
invention
Imagine thin filigrcc hoop of platina
shaped like the wick OF mechanical or solar
fitted 10 an ordinary gas burner When this is
n place, its whole surfape is daxylinaIy white,
and gives light, il is estimated equal to fifteen
candles. The height Of this netted tube cannot
be increased, but its diameter can be enlarged
10 any extent, and the light of course in the
same proportion. There is no sensible flame
no smoke-not the smallest odor 1t does not
flicker, and in all these particulars possesses an
immense advantage over coal gas. There is no
humbug about it. II was before our eyes burn.
ing blue without the platina apparatus chang.
ing to white upon contact with it. You can
turn 1t On OF oG-use little or much at your CON-
" hence.
But another Of its properties is, that you can
heat your house, and cook by IT, We saw
small affair resembling replace upon turn
ing on the gas, a metallic bar, about foot long.
pierced with holes, emitted blueish fame, the
heat Of which was Immediately felt. There be-
ing no chimney, this was very natural. The air
in an apartment is heated directly, whereas by
the ordinary methods the far greater portion es
capes. II is supposed that in en- ordinary chin
ney only six parts cut Of a hundred enter the
apartment. AS much heat can be produced by
utilizing the gas in five minutes, rs by wood or
coal in an hour and half! and this at an ex
pense OF less than one quarter the cost of fuel
here We cav water heated In three minutes |
and saw meat cooked. BY attaching gutia
percha tube, people may conduct their fire wher-
ever they please, light it at q moments notice,
avoid the labor of kindng, smoke, and ashes
Particular attention was directed by the gen
Yemen present to the effects upon the health
ind lungs. Ii is asserted to be moist heat
Upon holding white plate over burner, it
vas very soon covered with vapor and not the
east dscoloration could be perceived. Itsfricnds
lain for it the highest place on the score of
leathfuness On that point give no opinion.
chemists will readily tell Of its inevitable effects,
Is it is governed by fixed laws.
En- resune--water gas appears to combine
hesc advantages. II Is convenient, clean, labor.
asing, without smoke or smeIl---bcing a fixed
ight, pleasant to the eye and cheap.
Tha experiment took place Mt the " orks of
nc company, where II is manufactured on u
arge scale. We saw no square bow with its
idden nterior--no secrets II was explained
o clearly by the inventor, that the mcrcst tyro
n chemistry could understand it. In Paris,
'hcre contracts have been passed for long pe-
obs, its progress will be slow; but in America
lin New York particularly, where gas is dear
nd poor, this invention will acquire rapid cx
nnsion. II is revolution ! TO have light and
warmth as easily ms you now hive Croton water.
vol be easy to speculate upon the thons.
nd practical uses to which this element NAV be-
pplied--we must regard it rs OF vast public i'm.
ortance, if only as destined to amcliorate the
ondition Of the poor in our large cities. Let