The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-23
Revolution in the Manufacture of
Gas

Gas.
The Detroit Free Press makes men
ton of an invention which, it says, will
produce a revolution in the manufac-
ture of gas. The editor has seen
model in operation at Komaka, c. W.,
and says:
1t consists Of retort, reservoir and pu-
riher, and gasometer, the whole of which
! occupies an area of ISx20 feet, and man
aged by one man. The gas is produced
| from wood, bones, or any other vegetable or
animal substances at hand, in the proper
ton Of $500 feet Of gas 10 one-hall q cord
Of wood, and one barrel of bones, or some
other oxygen giving material. The leading
feature Of the invention consists in the sur
prisingly small cost at which the gas can
be produced, and the fact that the greater
its consumption the cheaper its production.
1t practically illustrates the theory that
nothing is lost in nature, and that disap-
pearance OF matter is a mere change of form.
Thus the carbon Of the plant on which the
| animal feeds, supplies the fat out of which
the candle is manufactured, and the candle
resolved in its component parts by cOmbus-
ton, II turn furnishes the plant with the
carbon which fattens the animal for giving
us another candle. So in this case, the
wood, bones, or other vegetable material,
are by combustion resolved into their vari-s
GUS elementary substances, not only without
any loss by their change of form,
but with certain gains of CONNER
cIal value which leave the gas
almost clear profit to the producer. When
these articles are therefore consumed in ac-
cordance with Mr.. Ensey's (the inventor's)
directions, there is no waste whatever, but
simply transmutation into other commOi-
ties OF nearly equal value, 10 which the gas
is superadded. The wood, for instance,
yields not only gas but charcoal, tar, and
turpentlne. The bones give residuum Of
ivory black, phOsp and ammonia ola
superior quality; and the vegetable sub
stances a residuum Of other things, which
further scientific experiments will no doubt
yet bring to light and find use for. In this
manner, the gas becomes as it were a mere
incidental feature, manutacted not only at a
minimum expense, but Of an excellent kind.
At the same time, few things can be more
simple than the apparatus, or more easily
worked. That now in operation at KOmO-
ka, q. W, Is managed by a man entirely
new to the business, and has produced
1900 feet of d clear, bright, and steady
light, which is entirely free from all smoke
and smell, as may be inferred from the fol
piece of tin was held close over the burner
until it became thoroughly heated, and was
then removed, without being dimmed in
the least. There is consequently none Of
that offensive scent about the premises
which we usually find to hover round other
gas-works la fact Mr.. Ensley's apparatus
might be placed in the basement of any
house or factory, without betrayiug its
presence to the eyes or noses of the most
fastdious.
The cheapness Of the apparatus and the
simplicity Of its working, entirely indie
pendent Of other advantages, recommend
Mr.. Easleys invention to large manufac-
turing establishments ard small villages
and towns, although the high prices now
paid for gas will make its adoption adyisa-
bic even by those whose means place the
present cumbrous and expensive system
within their reach. Indeed, we have but
little doubt that, when the merits of the
invention are once fairly demonstrated,
there will be no place so small as not to
have its ga5-light. The exclusive right for
the State having been promptly secured by
Messrs. Cameron & Pankhurst, Michigan
viii probably take the lead in the move
ment. One Of the members of this young
firm, Mr.. Pankhurst, is now engaged in in
teresting the citizens of Detroit in this
matter.