The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-13

THE POINT BREEZE GAS WoRKs.-In pursu-
anCe of an invitation extended by the Gas
Trust, the members OF City Councils visited the
Point Breeze Gas Works yesterday afternoon,
A special train, which was provided for the oc-
casior, lett the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot
at l o'clock, and arrived at the Works at
about 2.
Having landed, the party speBt a couple OF
hours in visiting the various buildings, among
which were the new retort and purifying
houses which have been erected during the past
year. They are both built in the old English
style architecture, and constructed d OF stone
} eduarrled from the grounds above the suspen-
sion bridge, and opposite F6irmount. The
former building is $50 feet long, 90 feet wide,
and 5S feet from its foundation TO the apex OF
the roof. This building will accommodate 2IO
Tetorts, in settings of FIVE retorts to hench, OF
which 40 are now in condition for immediate
use; the remaining 100 being in course of COM
pleton. There are "a benches, which are sub
divided into IL sections, each being distinct
one from the other in, the main pipe into
which the gas flows by means of a dam.
In many works throughout the world
a single main is used but OWING to the fact that
they are liable to be obstructed, aud thus stop
the entire works, the present Chief Engineer OF
the Philadelphia works. Mr.. Joseph e. Manuel,
has had an auxiliary pipe laid in this new
torthOuse, at a distance OF several feet from
the main into which the gas flows through mar
row pipes prior to entering the condensers.
In case of obstruction the auxiliary can be used
while the main is being cleared. These two
hundred and forty Tetorts are capable of manu-
featuring one. million feet every tWenty-four
hours, which, in addition to the amount already
mad9; it is thought will be sufficient to supply
the demand for several years to come without
difficulty,
The Tetorts in this building are of clay.
Hitherto iron has been used almost exclusively
- their construction; but IN all the London gas
arks they are now as exclusively made of ire
hIOr built of hre-brlcks, and they are being
IDLY introduced IN the various cities of the
Omitted States They cost q great deal less in
construction, and last~Aearly three times as
long, though requiring more fuel for heating
than is necessary with iron.
The new purifying house is ll6 feet long and
go feet wide, has two sets OF purifying boxes
leach set has four bOXes) 20 feet square. At
tached TO this building is an exhaust and engine
. house 80 feet by 49. Lime from oyster shells,
which is made on the grounds at Point Breeze,
moistened with wafer, IS used as the purifier
It being laid on the sieyes in the boxes to a
depth of three inches, Through this mixture,
keptin constant agitation, the gas is made to
pass. 1t flows through three boxes before 1t is
pronounced fit for use, the fourth box being
held IN reserve The spent lime, after being
removed, undereoes a process by which 1t is
relieved from its disaereeable smell; after which
II Is SOLD az acOmmanding figure, as a compost
The gas alter passing through the third box, is
conducted 10 the meteT-house. Here a new iron
meter, the largest ever cast in this country has
been erected. It's weight is 20 5O0 mounds is
II feet IN diameter, aud is capable of passing
100000 feet through every twenty-four hours.
Attached TO the dial Is a ''tel-tale y as IL is
termed by the workmen, by which the amount
made every hour can be told,
On assuming control OF the City Gas Works.
our present Engineer made thorough investi-
Rat on into all its departments and machinery.
The gas holder he considered dangerous and so
report ed to the Gas Trust. new one has been
constructed aud was yesterday Ia operation
\ II is mammoth ahar, being lb9 ieet IN diane
ter and 9b feet in depth. aud Is capable o
holding about 100000 cubic feet or gas. IL
weight is $50 $50 pounds, and cost abou
$4,000. II is contemplated that the entire COS