Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-17
'sTtG. alexandria Gas WOrkS--Letter
from the Superintendent
FIum Tie Anle1tcun Gas Lfght J0,Tno{'
OFFICE OF THE CITY Gas Works.

.ALExANnRIA. Va. MAY 22d. ISL
Nrssrs. Editors: The last time that wrote
yon T stated that | would not let You forget
that although We were somewhat obscure II
l!;, @::S world, We still exist and ar" getting
along quite prospcrously.
very seldom see any prominent gas men in
our city but earnestly hope in their peregrina-
TORS they may be induced to give me Il call
and were it not for the Journal, | fear should
hc in total darkness as what is gong on IN the
gas line outside al Alexandria.
Our consl,mDtnn is considerably on the in
crease alrl n oar ely is rapidly recovering
from tn" dc$oiating effects Of our late unhappy
struggle. it will continue to increase
read with deep interest, the various dis
cu,>onS going on in the Journal, and Ill some
of them see where ! might apply to our works
some Of the ideas suggested, hy giving me
greater facilities in conducting the works We
are without an cxhauStrr which | regard rs in,
dispcnyahlr to the economical arrangement Of
works the size Of our. W.. u>;. 10th iron and
cay rc:urts and Of rullrst. the deposit Of fixed
carbon in the clay is very much greater than il
the pressure was removed by the aid of an OK
hauStcy indeed cannot cay am IN advocate
Of clay rctoris without and cxhaustcr. The car.
bonaceolls deposit Is 50 great, where rich coal
or any rich hydrocarbons are used inl the gem:
ration OF Gas. that it makes il necessary to clean
them every four or five weeks where proper
heats are kept np. and then il takes 81 long to
get them in good working order again, owing
to their porous condition When the. carbon is
removed
We arc also without 4 governor. which rG-
gard as highly important IN the distribution oil
gas. rs the regulation of the flow ia In de>ira-
bic 10 satisfactory combustion.
We use the very best coal for the minntuc
tugr Of orr gas. and know from the eye that
our gas is good, but not having Il photometcr,
| am unable to determine the exact candle
power, but feel very sure it. will average lG
candies
| see very little in the Journal about meters
| would c Very much pleased to hear the opn,
ions ni some 81 Your able and intelligent cor
respondents. ;,S To the merits OF the various
kinds G! meters, rs | think some Very necessary
improvements might J." suggested. There has
been >olnc complaint in regard to our running
the water from the washers into the river, in
consequence al It's containing Il small uilantity
of ammoniaca liquor 1t is alleged that the
fish with which the Potomac abounds is innr-
ed thereby bat | do not think that such is
the case. for Il very small portion Of ammonia
passes oft in this way. and the oil &c. floats
upon tho surface Of the water: moreover mat
ter Of all kinds finds ii way into the river. and.
what else could we do with it, unless We could
make it pay by carrying it tllrnl4h Il chemical
process making ii fit for cnloriug rurnSns or
fertilizer.
We have had very destructive lire in ear
city Our mark ct house in the upper part OF
winch was located all the public Offices ;nclud-
ing the gas office, was entirely consumed or
books fortunately, were all saved.
| am, yours truly,
JACOB RoXm.RY. Suri.