Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-24

The Novelties Exhibition closed recent
ly after a successful run of six weeks. With
out doubt the most striking exhibit, and
one that attracted the greatest amount of
attention from thoughtful people, was the
display of fuel water gas. for heating
lighting and power purposes, by the Lowe
Manufacturing Company of Norristown,
Pa. The exhibit was complete in every
respect and showed conclusively that the
gas could accomplish all that was claimed
for it by its inventor, Prof. T. S. c. Lowe,
the head of the company.
what is fuel water gas ?" was asked a
thousand and one times each day at the
rooms of the exhibit by curious visitors.
1t is gas made from pure water, intend
ed to supplant coal, wood and other solid
fuels as means of furnishing heat to
dwellings for cooking and other purposes,
and of supplying manufacturers with pow
er tor their mills and factories. GLOW
can this be done ?" How will it COM
pare in cost with the present method ?"
Where can we obtain this gas ?'' were
among the many questions that followed
this explanation. In order to give the
reader a clear understanding of the claims
this gas has of becoming the fuel of the
future, we will quote from a lecture on
Water Gas" delivered by Prof. Lowe
on the 22d instant, in the annex of the
Novelties Exhibition. On the platform
were erected for the occasion a complete
water gas works and all the appliances
necessary to illustrate the lecture. The
Professor explained that the method of
making the gas was by converting water
into steam. This steam after being high
ly superheated over friedrich surface. is
passed through a bed of incandescent coal
which has been heated at the same time
with the fire brick. This treatment changes
the oxygen OF the water into carbon nom
oxide, which, with the hydrogen, becomes
a combustible gas. 1t is then washed and
purified, and conveyed TO holder when
it is ready for distribution.
The Professor then asserted that this
gas could be furnished to the consumers
at 30 cents per 1000 feet In proof of this
he showed that four tons of coal. employ
ing the labor of one man would generate
250, 900 feet At 80 cents per 1000 feet.
$3.50 would be realized on each ton of
coal consumed at an expense OF $3.50,
which would include the cost of labor, be-
sides the consumer would receive the
same amount of fuel at much less cost
than under the present system. The
Professor further stated that even at 80
cents per 1000 feet. it would be cheaper
for domestic heating, cooking and light
ing than the methods now in use.
The subject of natural gas. that is now
receiving so much attention in the western
part of this State. was discussed at some
length. and it was shown that the plan of
carrying this gas in pipes to the cities of
the seaboard will make its cost to Eastern
consumers greater than that of fuel water
gas manufactured on the spot. while the
latter possesses the advantage of being ca
pable OF utilization tor all heating. mean.
descent lighting and power purposes.
The cost of gas in large cities was taken
up. and the statement was made that New
York pays for Illuminating gas more than
$50. 900 per day. or Sl2,775. 900 per an
mum. while the cost of the same article to
! Philadelphia. is over $4,000 per day.
Referring TO the establishment of fuel gas
works in large cities. the speaker said
At 80 cents per 1000 cubic feet. at which
price iuel gas would be used to the exclu-
sion of all other tuel at least five times as
much gas would be used for fuel as is now
used for light. and probably ten times as
much. A consumption of 100, 000, 900 feet
daily at this price would amount to $780,
900 per day, while the cost OF manulac-
turing the gas and conducting the bust
ness of the company could be paid out OF
| 10 cents per 1000 feet, leaving a net profit
of 500. 900 per day. or S7.300, 900 per an
mum. which would pay six per cent inter.
est on a capital of 1921, 000,000 or 10 per
cent on S1S. 900, 600 A consumption OF
but SO. 0o0,0 feet daily. would pay an
annual profit of $3.50, 900. an amount
sufficient to pay six per cent on 0,000, 900,
! or 10 per cent on $50, 800. 900.
/ New York employs capital of S45.-
! 600. 900 in the manufacture of illuminat
! ing gas One-fourth of the amount would
establish plant to furnish heat, light and
power for all purposes. with enormous
profit to the company. Philadelphia. with
her numberless manufactures. would use
immense quantities of this fuel, and it can
be made at her doors as cheaply as the in
ferior natural gas can be brought thither
from the wells. Capital is sure to find, al
an early day. safe and profitable invest.
ment in supplying this improvement to
towns and cities everywhere.
The method of generating water ga:
was then shown by means of the appara
tus on the platform, and. as steam could
not be had for the purpose, it was pro.
posed to make the gas from block of ice
which was at hand. The tanning up oil
the coal in the generator. and the gradual
rising OF the little holder as the gas passed
| into It, were observed with intense inter.
est by all present; and when the lighted
jet at the top of the holder showed that
what was ice few moments before had
been changed to gas there was hearty ap-
plause from all The application Of IN
incandescent burner to the jet, producing
a brilliant white light; the lighting OF 8