The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-01-07
A natter or1nsere-t to Ga" Con.u

neFAs
There is generally so much complaint
among the people about gas-burners
that we append the following. from the
American Journal, which may afford
some instruction:
Through want acknowledge Of some
simple facts connected with the man
ageinent Of gas, much dissatisfaction,
annoyance, and useless expense may,
and bat too often does obtain; unfOrtu-
nAteIy, these evils are frequently aR-
graVHted because gas filters, to whom
the consumer looks for aid, is often IN
acquainted with the various contingent
cies which occur in the introduction
and burning of gas. 1t Is common
occurrence for consumers to complain
of the excessive cost and deficiency OF
light. To the inAccuracy of the metre
they generally attribut the first, and TO
the poor quality of gas the latter con-
dition il usually charged; WhenS In re-
ality, the fault will generally be found
to rest with the consumers themselves,
through their own ignorance and mis-
management. Whenever light il OBJ
tanned from gas at greater cost than
necessary, 1t is just as much n loss as TO
hermit any other valuable commodity
10 run To waste. And a proper knowl-
edge of the conditions that cause I'M
necessary loss will place in our hands
the means requisite to avoid and pre-
vent it.
BURSERs.
There is no part connected with the
consumption Of gss whereby the best
results are obtained in the quality of
light and economy of gas, of more i'm
pUrtance than the burners.
It would be difficult TO convince the
majority of gas consumers, who have
not given the subject attention, how re-
nHrkably the light derived from gas is
reduced by Improperly constructed
burners, or where the pressure OF the
flames are unsuitablY djusted. Owing
To these circumstances, the amount OF
gas consumed Is dispTOpoHtionate to the
light obtained. And the account Of the
~! n'i 10 q "a in stating thai
a large proportion of the consumers,
through their own mismanagement,
pay twice Az much as there is any occa-
sion for, considering the amount of
light obtained, all of which could be
saved by using proper burner, and a
correct adjustment aud control OF the
pressure.
The most important requisites for
good burners are that the orifiCes where
the gas Issues should be perfectly regu-
lar IN size, and of proper size TO per-
init II to Issue with n very low pressure
Aud these conditions should be adhered
to, Whatever the kind of burner may
be, whether the argand, bats wing, fish
tail or single jet, &c.
II the OrItices are too small, high
pressure is required To expel the gas,
and the light is diminished lust in pro.
portion To the increased pressure. In
such burners the flame will have u
biuetsh tinge, and the lower part will
be of deep blue color, giving but little
light in proportion to tho gas consumed,
A. an example, an Rrgand of fifteen
holes, passing i've feet of gas at one.
tenth pressure, yielding II light of
twelve candles, Will, IT the oritices are
reduced to pHss the same amount of
gas per hour at EVe-tenths pressure,
only give the light Of six candles-H
loss of thirty per cent. Hence we see
that The light to be obtained from a Civ.
en- quantity and quality OF gas is entire
ly dependent on the burner EMPLOYED.
This demonstrates the necessity of
having proper burners, and shows
clearly how, by negligence on this
point, the consumer may find his gas
DIS Increase, in what appears to him
Il very mysterious manner.
SIZE OF FLAME.
It is IA mistake to suppose that the
amount OF light obtained will be in
proportion to the quantity OF gas issu.
ing from burner. There Is Il particu.
lar point in the consumption OF any
class OF burner where the maximum OF
light is derived, and any deviation from
this entails loss.
AS an example, II AN argaud burner
consumes live feet per hour, giving the
light of twelve candles, be reduced. 80
that only three-tuuTths of that quantity
Is burned, then the light, instead OF be-
Ing equal to nine candles, the theoreti-
cal proportion, will be six candles only,
being positive loss OF thirty-six per
cent. This reduction may be continued
with even grenter prOp0rtiOuate losses.
A hVe feet bat-wing, or tish tail burner,
Will give IA maximum OF light in pro-
portion To the gas consumed, compared
with any less sized burner, and il will
he found in practice the larger sized
burners are the most economical, the
large sizes giving nS high as two hun
bred to three hundred per cent. adVan-
tage In light AS compared with the
smallest sizes.
As AN example, II bat wing burner.
consuming two feet per hour, gives the
light of two aud ii half candles only
while u burner consuming seven aud
ne-hnlf feet per hour, gives the light
of twenty-five candles, the pressure be-
ing uniformly iOur-teuths of an inch,
The knowledge OF these facts is of
Importance to the consumer, who NAV,
in his endeaVor to economist, obtain
results directly opposite to his nn,ici- |
pations. 1t Is more economical to have
one good large gaslighI than several
small ones.
GLOBES, GLASSES, &C.
Although chimneys are essential to |
arRand burners, aud globes, also, in
many places where tish-taii 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 Obstructs about. l2 per ct.
clean glnOo cut in figures .........24 per Ct,
HlOOe ground all over in figures 40 per ct.
An opal Elooe with 90 per ct
Hence is apparent the folly OF using
deliberately engraved and ground
globes or shades, where 1t is desirable
to economise. IfcnGrRved at all, the
upper portion should be embellished,
while the lower part should be left
clear for the free PASSAGE nfIIght.