Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-31

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Economical Hints about Gas-Burning
The following article, from the American
Gaslight journal, contains information useful
to every as-consumer: 60 &so
FACTS FOR THE PEOPLE ABOUT GAS.
Through want OF knowledge of some simple
facts connecled with the management Of gas
much dissatisfaction, annoyance, and useless
expense may, aud but too often does, obtain;
unfortunately, these evils are frequently sg
gravated because gas. filters, to whom the con-
sumer looks TOR aid, are. often unacquain ed
with the various contingencies which occur in
the introduction and burning of gas.
1t is q common occurrence for consumers to
complain OF the excessive cost and deficiency
of light. 70 the inaccuracy of the meter they
generally attribute the first, and to the poor
quality of gas; the, latter condition is usually
charged, when. In reality, the fault will gener- 1
ally be found 10 rest with the consumers rhsm--
selves, through their own ignorance and mis-
management.
Whenever light is obtained from gas at a
greater cost than necessary,it Is just as much a
loss as to permit any other valuable comm odlty
to run to waste. And proper knowledge OF
the conditions that cause unnecessary loss will
place in our bands the means raanisite to oayoid
and prevent it.
BURNERS.
There is no part cUuuected the con
sumption of gas whereby the best results are
obtained in the quality OF light and economy
of gas, of more importance than the burner.
It would be difficult to convince rne majority
of gas. consumers, who have not given the SUD-
iecL attention, how remarkable the light derlv-
ed from gas is reduced by improperly construct
ed burners, or where the pressure OF the flame
is unsuitably adjusted. Owing to these cir
cumstances the amount OF gas consumed is
disproportionate to the light obtained, and the
account of the consumer is much increased
In fact, there is no eXaggeration in stating that
q large portion of the consumers through their
own mismanagement, pay twice as much as
there is any occasion for, considering the
amount of light obtained all of which could
be saved by using proper burner, and cor
rect adjustment and control OF the pressure. :.
The most important requisites for good
burners are that the orifces where the gas
issues should be perfectly egular In SIZE and
Of proper aze to permit It loIss..e WITH
should be adhered to, whatever the kind the
burner may be, whether the argand, bats
wing, fish tail, or single jet, etc.
IF the orifces are too small a high pressure
is required to expel the gas, and the light is
diminished just in proportion to the increased
pressure. In such burners the fame will have
a blush tinge, and the lower partwi be OF
deep blue color, giving but little light In pro-
portion to the gas consumed. AS an example
Ian argand Of fifteen holes passing five feet OF
gas at one tenth pressure, yielding a light OF
twelve candles, will, If the orlices are reduced
to pass the same amount OF gas per hour at
candles--a loss of fifty per cent. Hence we
see that the light to be obtained from a given
quantity and quality of gas is entirely depend
ent on the burners employed. This demon
strates the necessity of hvaing proper burners,
and shows, clearly how, by negligence on this
point, the consumer may find his gas bills in
crease in what appears to him very mysteri-
Gus manner.
,5G4& SIZE OF FLAME.
1t is aSmistake to suppose that the amount
Of light obtained will be in proportion to the
quantity of gas issuing from burner. There
is particular point in the consumption OF any
class of burners where the maximum of light
is derived, and any deviation from this entails
loss.
AS an example, if an argand burner, consum
ing five feet per hour, giving the light OF
twelve candles, be reduced SO that only three
forths of that quantity is burned, then the
light, instead OF being equal TO nine candies,
the theoretical proportion, will be six candies
only being positive loss OF thlrty-slx per
cent. This reduction may be continued with
even greater propUr1Onate losses. A hVe-toOt
bat wing or hsn-tail burner will give maxi
mum vi iIgnt in proportion to the gas consum
ed, compared with any less sized burner; and it
will be found in practice the larger sized buln-
ers are the most economical
The large sizes give as high as 200 to 300
per cent. advantage IN light as compared With
the smallest Sizes
AS an example: A bat's-wing burner con-
suming two feet per hour gives the light ot
two and quarter candles only, While uurnel
CONSUMING .even and ioue: haf1 Ieet per hou'
gives the night OF twenty-five candles, ths
pressure beiug uniformly tOur-tenths Ut an inch.
The knowledge Of these facts is ofIm portance
to the consumer, who may, IN his endeavOr to
ecouomise obtain results directly opposite to
his aDticpatioDs i IS more economical to
have one good large gas-light than several small
ones.
GLOBES, GLASSES, sc.
Although chimneys are essential to argand
burners aud globes, alsn,in many places wher2
fsh-tall burners are used, and the ornamental
effect IS pleasant, still they are detrimental to
the diffusion of the light of gas.
A clean glass globe 5obstructs about twelve
per cent. A clean globe engraved with flowers,
about tweDty-tour per cent. A globe ground
all over with flowers, about forty per cent. An
opal globe with flowers, about sixty per cent.
Hence is apparent the folly OF using eIabor-
ateIy-engraved and ground globes or shades
Wherei 1t is desirable to economise. 1t engraved
at all, the upper part should be embellished,
while the lower Part should be left clear for
the free passage OF light.
As an act Of humanity We publish the fol-
lowing: =. S,