Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-06
Gas.
OFFICE CITY Gas Works.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, June 6, 1872.
I nave been frequently asked what was the
eliminating power of the gas maDufactu red ut
the Alexandria Gas Works, and for the informa-
ton of the public | made some exreri-
meuts at the works On Tuesday evening, June
4th. assisted by gentleman of this city Of
acknowledged scientific attachments. with the
following result: The tests for determining the
relative ight-giving power were made with
Bunsen and Rumford's photometers. The
standard caudle employed burned 10 grains per
hour; the gas burner consumed 5 feet per hour
and the light-glving power of the gas fame,
after the most critical tests, was l4.75, so 1t
will be seen that our gas compares tavoraby
with the gas of other cities. | would state
tn; in the last twenty years great improve
meuts have been made in conducting gas works
all having u tendency to produce gas of greater
illuminating power, as we'll as to secure Il reduc
ton in the price The introduction of clay,
thereby superceeding iron retorts, is source of
great economy, but on account OF the porosity
OF the former, their use is of doubtful utility
without an exhauster, which, however, nearly
all gas works have, but one OF which We are
without What is called the back pressure
causes the clay retorts to leak, which, however,
may be overcome by an exhauSter. have
some improvements already projected, and
after consulting with some of the most eminent
gas engineers, may he able to effect the desired
object of relieving the pressure so az to use
clay rctorts exclusively
| submit the following as compiled from
authentic sources connected with gas opera
tions, for the benefit of consumers What
ever may be the qualities ofthe gas supplied
by the company, the consumer, through want
of knowledge of few simple facts connected
with burners, flames and glasses, may be occa,
stoned much annoyance, disappointment and
expense. 1t is an every day occurrence Tor
consumers to complain OF the excessive cost and
the deficiency of light on their premises. Not
unfrequentIy is it the case that the flow OF gas
is INSTRUCTED at the burner by Degectlng to
clean it out, or where the orifccs for the ems
sion of gas are too small. The most important
considerations for good burners are that the
orifces for the egress of the gas should be per-
fccty regular in size and sufficiently large, so as to
permit it to issue with very feeble pressure or
force. A proper burner will give the maximum
of light, whereas an imperfect one diminishes
it very materially. Glass globes are commonly
used for the purpose OF ornament. They are
very desirable in private dwellings, but present
serious obstruction to the diffusion of light.
According to the opinion OF Mr. King ir., Of
Liverpool the light lost by them is as follows
Light obstructed by clear glass globe, - per
CT; globe engraved with flowers, "A per Ct;
opal globe, 60 per OF.
Gas is beyond all comparison safer than any
other means of artificial illumination; it is
much cleaner than candles or lamps, and is
more congenial, as its position, when properly
placed, is above the line of vision, so that the
eye-lids serve to protect the eye from its direct
rays j. R0XBCRY, Supt. OF GaS.
Alexandria, June 9th, 1872