Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-10-08
GAS FROM WATER,

progressing at our Gas Works in order to test
the adaptability of Sanders Patent Water
Gas in place Of that generated fro Al the dstil-
lation of coal The result is promising in the
highest degree, and the illuminating power
and vast economy of the Water Gas over that
made from coal, we are told, is demonstra-
ted fact.
Unknownto our citizens they have been con-
Stunning Water Gas in large uantities--some-
times in its native form, sometimes in combi-
nation with the Coal Gas-but on Saturday
evening last, when several of tho most prom
inent gentlemen interested in Gas Works Of
other cities and many scientific reporters sent
expressly from leading journals in Philadel-
phia and New York were present at the City
Gas Works, the Coal Gas was entirely cut
on from the mains, the charges from the re-
torts withdrawn, and for some time Whining
ton depended for light on tho Water Gas
alone. In some locations tho illuminative
power was of the most brilliant description,
surprising all previous attempts, whilst in
others the light was dull and pickering. The
cause of the difference is easily explained
Tho Water Gas being far denser than that
made from coal requires burner of differ
ent construction and with larger outlet, al
though the gas, from its very, density is inf
nitely more economical in consumption the
quantity burnt being but about two-thrds OF
that registered by the Coal Gas metres.
large number of these new burners were
placed in conspicuous localities, some on
street lamps, others in hotels, Offices and prom
inent stores, and wherever the Water Gas
was burnt through them its extraordinary
briliancy and power was the subject of gene
raj comment-no such light had previously
been seen in Wilmington.
The inferior quality and low illuminative
power OF the Coal Gas which the City works
has Supplied us with, has for some time past
been the subject of public nimadversion-in-
stead OF clear and brilliant light, we have
had g darkness made visible" and that too at
a high price. Gas consumers, however, would
not grumble at the cost ofthe article, provided
the quality is up TO the mark-but this has
lutte necessity of change, for it is a matter of
deep interest to the entire community, and
one in which it behoovcs the public to bestir
itself. Our City Gas Works are a profitable
monopoly-al monopolics are extensively
dangerous to the public good-and the ques-
ton has been seriously agitated of obtaining a
new charter, and forming new company that
will supply us with cheap light and plenty
Of II !but We understand the old Company
forseeing the results of a competition which
would be ruinous to it, has determined to con-
troll this process Gas has also the Northern
Liberties Gas Company, of Philadelphia and
supply us with not only q brilliant but cheap
light forthwith. The moment the Water Gas is
used entirely, the cost 10 The consumer can be re-
duccd, Jthe Compaag choose, oae-third at least
and then ledge large profits to the Stockholders
and herein lies the strongest and most CO.
gent reason for its immediate adoption--for
it comes home to the pocket of every Gas con-
sumer in the city, and the outside pressure
will be irresistible.
With others we complained of the unpleas-
ant odor arising from the gas during the
progress of the recent xperiments-but find
we were wrong in attributing it to the Water
Gas, for that is nearly inodorous-but from
the fact of this being passed thrcugh the same
purifiers as the Coal CAST absorbed the sui
phurous particles deposited by the Coal Gas,
and diifused them throughout the city-in fact
cleaned the purifiers and drains of the City
Gas Company for them gratuitously. This
will be avoided on the next occasion as the
patentees of the Water Gas, are erecting a
washer of their own in order to avoid being
charged with the impurities, and bad odors
of the Coal Gas. We shall be present on the
occasion and give the result of our personal
experience to our readers.