The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-08


GAs-BURNERs.-There is generally 80 much
complaint among the people about gas-burn-
ers, that VIC append the following, from tho
American Journal, which may afford some in
struction:
Through want of knowledge OF some simple
facts connected with the management OF gas,
much dissatisfaction, annoyance, and useless
expense may, and but too often does obtain;
unfortunately, these evils are frequently ag-
sumer looks for aid, is often unacquainted
with the various contingencies which OCCUR in
the introduction and burning OF gas. 1t is
common occurrence for consumers to COM
plain Of the excessive cost and deficiency OF
light. To the inaccuracy OF the meter they
generally attribute first, and to the poor quail
ty Of gas the latter condition is usually charg-
ed: when, in reality, the fault will generally be
found to rest with the consumers themselves,
through their own ignorance and mismanage-
ment. Whenever light is obtained from gas
at greater cost than necessary, it is just as
much loss as to permit any other valuable
commodity to run to waste. And proper
knowledge of the conditions that cause un-
necessary loss will place in our hands the
means requisite to avoid and prevent it.
Buyners.-There is no part connected with
the consumption Of gas whereby the best re-
suits are obtained in the quality of light and
economy of gas, OF more Importance than the
burners.
IL would be difficult to convince the majori-
ty of gas consumers, who have not given the
subject attention, how remarkably the light
derived from gas is reduced by improperly
constructed burners, or where the pressure or
the flames are unsuitably adjusted. Owing to
these circumstances, the amount OF gas con-
sumed is disproportionats to the light obtain
ed. and the account Of the consumer ls much
increased. In fact, there is no e1aggeration
in stating that 8 large proportion OF the con-
sumers, through their own mlsmanagement,
paw 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 oorrect1 adjustment and control
Of tho pressure.
burners are that the orifioes where the gas
issues should be perfectly regular in size, and
of proper size to permit it to issue with very
| low pressure. And these conditions should be
adhered to, whatever the kind Of burner may
be, whether the argand, bats-wing, fsh-tail or
single jet, &c.
II the orifices are too small, high pressure
| is required to expei the gas, and the light is
| diminished just in proportion to the increaed
pressure. In such burners the flame will
| have blueish tinge, and the lower part will
be Of o deep blue color, giving but little light
| in proportion to the gas consumed. AS all ex-
ample, an argand OF fifteen holes, passing five
| feet OF gas at one-tenth pressure, yielding O
light of twelve candles, will, il the orihces are
| reduced to pass the same amount OF gas PER
hour at 6ve-tenths the pressure, only give the
| Hence we see that the light to be obtained
from a given quantity and quality OF gas is
/ entirely dependent on the burner employed
This demonstrates the necessity Of having
proper burners, and shows clearly how, by neg.
figence on this point, the consumer may FIND
his gas bills increase, in what appears to hin
very mysterious manner
Size of F2dme.-It is q mistake to suppose
that the amount Of light obtained will be II
proportion to the quantity OF gas issuing from
q burner. There is particular point in tht
consumption Of any class OF burner where tht
maximum OF light is derived, and any devia
ton from this entails loss.
AS an example, if an argand burner Coil
sumes five feet per hour, giving the hghs
twelve candles, be reduced, 80 that only three
fourths Of that quantity is burned, then th'
light, instead OF being equal to nine candles
the theoretical proportion vii! pc Blk candles
only. being q positive loss OF thlrty-sH PEI
cent. This reduction may be continued with
even greater proportionate losses. a i've fee
bat-wine, or hsh-tail burner, will give maxi
mum of light in proportion TO me gas con
| 6umeQ, cOIQpAIcu Wl1u my Aoos 1890 49,
and it will be found in practice the larger slzet
burners arc the most economical, the iarg
sizes giving as high as two hundred to thre
hundred rer cont. advantage in Light as com
pared with the smallest Sizes.
AS On example, q bat-wing burner, consum
ing two feet per hour, gives the light or tW'
and quarter candles only, while Durne
consuming seven and one-haf fee, per hou
gives the light Of twenty-five candles, tn
pressure being uniformly four-tenths OF al
inch.
The knowledge Of these facts is Of impor
tance to the consumer, who may, in bis en-
deayor to economize, obtain results dlrectl.
opposite to his anticipations.. 1t is NOR
economical to have one good, large gasllgh
than several small ones.
Globes, Glasses, etc-Athough chimney
are essential to argand burners, and globes
also, in many places where fsh.tall burner
are used, and the ornamental effect is pleas
ant, still they are detrimental to the diffusion
of the light of gas. z,o
A clean glass globe obstructs abouH IL per ct
A clean globe cut III figures. ......M per ct
A globe ground oil over in figures. N per ct
An opal globe with figures. :60 per ct
Hence is apparent the folly Of using elabo
rately engraved and ground globes or shades
where it is desirable to economlze. II en-
graved at all, the upper portion should be en-
bellished, while the lower part should be lei
clear for the free passage OF Light.