Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-07-10
THE GAS WORKS.
The Proposed Increase in Pro-
ducing Capacity-Superintend
ent Browne Interviewed.

uuSluS SaptNhty ouPS
ent Browne Interviewed.
About a month ago, the Trustees OF
the gas works, presented lengthy COM
munication TO Council, asking for per-
mission and funds 10 construct a new
gas holder. BY various calculations,
which were enclosed, they arrived at
the conclusion that this would be neces-
sary during the coming winter. The re-
duction in the price OF gas would be In
effect and they calculated on an increase
of the number of gas consumers, and
corresponding increase in the cOnsump-
ton OF gas by them and by those already
using it. They fixed the cost at about
$4,000 and as the Commissioners would
have but about $1,000 on hand, asked
Council to pay the amount due by the
city, in drafts on the Clerk.
The matter was referred for report to
the Committee on Lights, pending
which, another communication was re-
ceived from the Trustees, In the latter
it was set forth, that, after further cal
culation and investigation, the storing
capacity was sufficient, but producing
capacity was required. They desired
permission 10 erect an additional retort
house, but in the meantime to replace
in one of the old ones new retOrts OF
greater capacity. This was granted, the
cost to be about $4,000.
At the meeting of Council on Tuesday
evening, a resolution was introduced by
DIR. Logan, instructing the Committee
on Lights to inquire wi ether this con-
templated scheme was only temporary,
and il so, whether it would not be econ
omy to make the permanent change at
once. In support OF his resolution, DIR;
Logan said 1"I am not an expert,
he began,) that it struck
him that it would be
ANYTHING but economical to put in the
temporary retOrts for two years and
then tear them out to build the new
house, and would be but useless waste;
he thought it better to make the per-
manent change at once and thus save
the labor and expense that would other
wise 20 for naugnt. The resolution was
adopted.
For full understanding of the matter
i'm its various phases, a representative
of the REGISTER called at the gas works,
on Nineteenth street, yesterday alter
noon, and sought out Superintendent
Arthur Browne. He was found in the
ward and protested himself willing to
give his ideas OF the matter. Mr..
Browne has been connected with the
works for anumber of years, and is uni
verSallv considered TO be a thorough
and practical gasmaker. lie conducted
our representative through the various
buildings, and very intelligibly explained
the process OF converting bltumlnous
coal into sulphuretted hydrogen gas.
Then he entered upon an expression OF
his views:
81 do not favor the construction of
permanent new retOrt house at present,
for various reasons. We must have in
creased producing capacity before win
ter, and the new house could not be
ready by that time. Ii will not do to
hurry such things, as irreparable imper-
iections NAV occur. This house must
stand there" pointing to the western
side of the ward, con the ground occu-
pied by the lime house, the small retort
house and that holder" the latter, one
of the Oldest with a capacity OF 10000
cubic feet. $50, since the new house
cannot be built, and as the increase OF
producing capacity is necessary, we
must make it temporary
In the small retort house referred to,
were iormerely four benches Of three re-
tortS each, which are proposed to be SUI
perseded by three benches OF five each.
Mr. Browne continued: During the
shortest days OF last winter We averaged
a production OF 240, 900 cubic feet OF gas
daily. ! have calculated that the IN
creased demand this winter will not be
quite one-fiith more, or say $1,000 cubic
feet day. We will get this in this
way: Each OF the new benches pro-
posed carbonize ], 800 pounds OF coal to
Il charge or 1900 to tine house. At four
charges day this will be $4,000 pounds.
In one of these new retOrtS, pound OF
coal will make 4 feet of gas, so that the
$4,000 pounds will make 81, 900 cubic
feet. In the old four benches OF threes
we could carbonize but 5000 pounds OF
coal, making $4,000 cubic feet OF gas.
The difference is just the 1900 feet OF
supposed increase
He further explained that to build
the new house, the holder mentioned
above must be removed, which at pres
ent was impossible. Its removal was
necessary as the coal shed must be con-
venicntly arranged near the retOrts to
save time and distance in carrying coal
to the retorts.
"Now, another important argument
Tor the temporary place is this: Retorts
burn out in a couple OF years, so that 1t
will be no waste as DR.. Logan thinks.
The castings will be as good as ever, the
brick can be also used and all that is
lost is the labor. Why, the whole thing
will cost but four thousand dollars, less
than two years interest on the money
required to build house"
This ended the interview, through
which Mr.. Brown conducted himself
in the most accommodating manner,
abundantly illustrating his views and
making his explanations in the most
lucid manner Thanking him for all
which, our representative took his leave.