Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-01-07

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Safety Fluid Lamp-Chemical Cause
Of Explosions.
This is an invention which we have ex-
amined and which we estimate highly. It is
q scientific lamp, and one which no one not
acquainted with chemistry could have in
vented, because the improvement is founded
upon knowledge of the gases; it embraces
the principles of Humphrey Davy's inven-
ton Of the Safety Lamp. In the centre of
the lamp, extending to the bottom, is
fixed cylinder Of fine timed wire gauze,
having a mesh of 500 to the inch. A tube
OF Like gauze screws on to the wick disc,
and confines the wick. This tube slips
down inside of the gauze cylinder spoken
Of. The can for containing the camphine,
or turpentine and alcoholic mixture, which
10 now commonly used for lamps, is made
with disc of this wire gauze in the spout
and under the lid. We have seen the fluid
in the lamp set On fire by taking out the
wick, and the fluid set on fire at the spout
of the can, and no explosion take place.
We have also seen the fluid poured into the
lamp, out of the can, while the fluid in the
spout and that in the lamp were blazing,
and, instead Of an explosion, the fame was
extinguished. It may well be asked, how
can this simple application of wire gauze
prevent explosions in fluid lamps? The
question is an important one. 1t was dis
covered by Sir Humphrey Davy, that fine
wire gauze surrounding the flame of lamp
would prevent the ignition of an explosive
gas surrounding the lamp-but why it
should do so men differ in opinion-the
fact is known, and Mr.. Newell has inge-
niously applied his knowledge of the same.
The reason why any gas is explosive, that
is, goes off like gunpowder by sudden ex-
pansion and contraction, when ignited, is
owing to the combustible materials of it's
composition being fully saturated with oxy-
instantaneously by the first spark. The
gas we employ for lighting our streets, if it
were saturated with oxygen, would, when
burner was opened and touched with a
match, ignite quick as the lightning flash
all the gas in every pipe and gas-tank in
our city, and would tear up our streets and
blow up our houses as suddenly and forcibly
as if they had been mined with gunpowder.
This is the chemical cause of gas and other
explosions, viz: the combustible:: materials
being fully saturated with oxygen and then
ignited. The Goals in our fires do not ex-
plode, because they are not saturated With
oxygen, the supporter of combustion the
oxygen gradually combines with the carbon
in combustion, but if our Goals were re-
duced to state Of gas, and the gas mixed
with twice its weight of oxygen, the mixed
gas would ignite instantaneously when q
match was applied, and cause what is
termed an explosion-which is but instan-
taneous combustion; fire is slow combus-
ton, that is all the difference between the
two. Those who keep volatile hydro-car-
bons, such as alcohol, turpentine, or mix
lures of these two fluids, in stores, &c.,
should be very careful and not suffer them
to be acted upon by heat, SO as to cause
evaporation and ssturation with the oxygen
of the atmosphere, which. is simply-to use
. solecisr-gunpowder. gas Scientific
american. ...--.....
The above lamp, called Newell's Patent
Safety Lamp and Lamp Feeder, and invent
ed by DR.. Newell, is sold wholesale and
retail by Newell, Caldwell, & Coffin, No. 8
Winter ST., Boston.
The above lamp is for sale in this city by
]. NJ. Dom & Bro. ian %
MECHANICS BANK, GEORGETOWN.