Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-26

more liable TO the admixture with atmos- |
pheric airnnder these circumstances-thatis,
in vessel only partially closed-than oils |
which require higher temperatures before
becom ing gaseous.
Sd. In a widely open vessel, or when
poured out upon floor, plank, or cotton,
while the more volatile substance will burn
most rapidly and with a greater flame,
neither il nor the less volatile fluid will
explode.
While oil Of turpentine, camphene, coal
oil, of every degree of volatility, the
ethers, alcohol, etc, will burn in lively
manner in the open air, often not even
charring the material, with which they are
in contact, thus situated none of them will
explode.
4th. These principles, true az the laws of
gravitation, afford guides TO practice in the
purchase and use Of all volatile burning
fluids, among which the following may be
enumerated:
(A) The least volatile huid is the safest.
By least volatile is meant, that which be-
comes gaseous at the highest degree OF
heat. Thus fluid, which volatilizes at
90 degrees of Farenheit, is more liable to
the accident ofexplosion than fluid which
yoIatilzes at 100 degrees-one which vola~
tilizes only at 212 degrees, the boiling point
of water is less liable to explosion than
either of the above and thus upward.
(B) Those conditions which favor the
admixture of atmospheric air in oxygen
gas with the inaammable gas in a confined
situation, should be carefully guarded
against.
Explosions of lamps more frequently
occur in extremely cold weather, than in
midsummer. Due allowance being made
for the greater use for illumination during
the long nights of winter, still, the
sudden changes Of temperature to which
lamps containing a volatile burning fluid,
together with the temptation OF the
ignorant to light them by the blaze
of the fire in the CRATE or chimney,
instead of using a lighted match or a
small taper, are the most general
causes of explosions. For instance: A
lamp containing a volatile burning fluid
is partially exhausted Of its contents by
consumption in a warm room, Is extin-
guished and set aside in cool place. The
gas above the fluid in the lamp is con-
densed by the depression of temperature,
and air rnshes in to ill the partial
vacuum thus created. When this lamp is
lighted and the flame accidentally pene-
trates into its cavity, explosion is extreme
| ly liable TO occur in accordance with the
| principle first laid down above. In warm
weather, the burning fluid being volatile
at the temperature of the atmosphere,
| furnishes a gas which wholly occu-
| MES the cavity of the lamp not
occupied by the fluid, thereby excluding
| the atmospheric air. Hence, in cold
weather, lamps partially full are extremely
| liable to explode-so, too, any other vessel
\ containing a volatile burning fHid.
(C1 The carrying of lamps about the
house. thereby subiecting them to agitation
| and changes oftemperature, should be strict
| Iy forbidden. In all well regulated families
an iron rule should be laid down, that
lamps containing coal oil or any other burn
inc volatile fluid should not be carried
about the house, subiecting them to various
temperatures and to agitation. All should
he Taught that while these lamps are quite
safe as we'll as useful when stationary, they
are extremely dangerous when used al
above indicated. Candles or fixed mon
yolatile) oil lamps should be used and al
WAYS on hand when locomotion is necessary
1t is not necessary to suggest other practl
cal rules in regard to the use OF lamps burn
ING volatile oils, to the man or woman who
is properly impressed with the principles
above laid down. To impress them, lie
us recall a few examples. From TIM
immemorial, miners have feared th'
terrible and heart.rending effects OF explo-
gions of what they call the FIRE damp in
deep mines, not thoroughly ventilated
Now what is the rationale of these eKplo
sions? The fire damp of the miners is tn
scientifc chemists carburetted hydrogen
gas. which is separated by rehabilitation
from minerals both fluid and solid con
tanning il. In certain proportions this be
comes mixed with the atmospheric air II
> the mine. which the incautious miner en-
tiers with his lighted lamp, thereby causing
AN explosion that often hurries into eter'
nity hundreds of his fellow laborers. Sil
Humphrey Davy in vented his safet.
lamp, which, when in perfect state, give
the miner warning of danger and ample
time for retreat.
The former Cashier OF the Bank of Mem
phis. now resident in this city, many year
since was shot out of the bank vault Ink
z a shell from a mortar, under the followin
circumstances Owing IN defect IN III
a gas pine or to failure TO completely tnr
. of The gas, which was usually lighted l
o the alright, dark, bnrglar'Proof yault {
the hank while the vault was closed, sn
: fcient amount Of gas was intermixed wit
. The atmospheric air in the vault TO cans
4 an explosion. when the banker lighted
n match in the yault.
o Many years since planter in William
e son county in this State, sent servant II
3 TO his cellar 10 draw some apple brand
IL many years old. A lighted candle take
d into the cellar communicating with tt
- very volatile malic ether which is aiwa.
II generated in old apple brandy, csused
d explosion of the contents Of the barrel, u
n death By burning of two of his seryan
lie and the conAagration of the family re'
f dence. Rationale in this case the same
ii above.
lg The two young ladies recently burned
death in Chattanooga, owe their death
the explosion of the gas mixed win ::
mosuherie air in the can partly filled WI
or Aurora oil. Perhaps the same rss'
If would have followed if the can had co
!. tanned coal oil.
The abatement recently going the Ton
~ of the newspapers that a barrel OF vines
. had exploded in Louisville, may be
"a counted for on rational principles; l
4 vinegar which Is impure or diluted ace
- acid isnot infiammable, but during the p
IA. gress of the changes which the mixtures
in iuices have to undergo in the production
vinegar, infammable gases may be deV
as oped Thus 10 mixture of sugar, wa
lp- and vine, or any ALCOHOLICS liquor freque
" used 10 make vinegar, We have 10
ed. latter an inhammahle fluid db initio, VIII
ia may volatilize and become mixed with
rem mospherio air in the containing YES
Again, cider, before undergoing the
adj. | tous fermentation, first goes through
wee alcoholic or vinous fermentation. AT
nd. stage the alcohol combining with m