Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-06
NATURAL GAS.
IFS WONDERS In AND AROUND
PiTTSBURG.
Thirty Miles of Pipe in Operation
How the Gas is Struck -
Ignorant Biologists.

Ddtl fIduCisJO. All tliC DlOOiAih5 bo1o Va hiiC
Bonanza mine and the Comstock lode,
when Senator Sharon made twenty-five
million dollars in year, was something to
be compared to it.
The opening of three natural gas wells
and their utilization as fuel generators
marks an era in the nineteen century.
Even the tanning and binding of electricity
is not more marvellous.
1t was before Z O'Clock in the morning
when our train reached the outskirts of the
city. The great shops had not yet started
their hum and roar for the day. Wepassed
close to a huge black mill, with its Chin
neys standing like masts of ship. There
was one small iron pipe that had a cloud of
flame rolling and tapping about it. chang
ing with every gust of wind. This was my
first sight of natural gas. The pipe was
what was called g stand pipe" They are
common enough in Pittsburg. The press
ure from the wells is so heavy that the
fluid can not be shut off and let on at will
When not in use itmust be allowed to burn
or escape in some way. The usual way is
to conduct it off by an extra chimney and
set fire to it at the top, and let it burn all
night. In Pittsburg and vicinity quantity
" stNtDtv luOuStuu DuSllclS OF coal
thus goes to waste every day, they say
The Philadelphia company is putting in
pipe connections in factories and private
residences at the rate of forty day They
keep 500 men constantly employed laying
gas mains. The fluid is already used as
fuel in thirty-four iron and steel works
sixty-six glass factories, 800 other manu-
featuring establishments and 5000 private
residences. At this time gas is used in
such quantity that it has taken the place
of 10 0C0 tons of coal q day that would be
complete Pittsburg will be as clean as New
York. And coal will be so cheap that deal
ers can hardly give it away"
II is probable that the fluid can be struck
almost anywhere in Western Pennsylvania
But the largest bunch of wells are those at
Murysyille, twenty-five miles from Pitts
burg. The gas is conveyed by pipes from
here and elsewhere to the city. The greatest
length of these pipes is thirty miles. There
is doubt, they say, whether line can be
made much longer than that. The press
ure is lost by friction of the pipes at the
rate Of seven pounds to the mile Unless
some new methods of conducting it are dis
covered, therefore the dreams of line of
natural gas one hundred miles long can
hardly be realized. Mills must remain
here. But why could it not be pumped2
One of the memorable experiences of
my life was my visit TO the gas wells of
Murrysville. 1t was cold, muddy,
snowy, neck-risKing ride, but-well, |
would do il again.
As we neared the place heard strange,
steady murmur. 1t sounded like the noise
of the surf in high sea. 1t sounded like
an engine as big as the United States Cap
itol building at Washington blowing off
steam.
There she goes" said Stewart. "Do
you hear her? That's the old gas well.
She goes a bizzin' just that way all the
time biz, biz l wouldn't like to live
around there for a steady thing"
No more would l. of calm day the
roar can be heard nine miles away At
the wells themselves, when gas is first
struck, it is deafening. The woIkmen put
cotton in their ears 10 protect their hearing
The force of the gas is tremendous II is
such that when first struck, it hurls every
thing before it, this blind. mad force rush
ing towards a venting place. Tools weigh
ing two or three tons are thrown manv feet
into the air. Thus far the stream has
always been struck in layer of sand.
Striking the gas is called shooting WELL
1t is more like a well shooting, one would
think
Gas is reached at depth of 1 300 to 1000
feet in western Pennsylvania. 1t costs 50
a foot to bore. AT Tolono, Ill.,, however,
the fluid was struck at a depth of 700 feet.
As we rounded a hill and looked into a
valley in front we saw Murrysville Huge
wooden derricks, tapering slim toward the
top, filled the landscape. To the right of
The view was the great well that made the
bizzing." The gas shoots in a straight
line 20 to 80 feet in the air. We saw where
1t issued by the water that poured out
along with it. Water is always struck with
the gas. 1t is a salt water. The mineral
frequently incrusts the plating OF a well
till it chokes the orifice Then the tubing
must be cleaned. Wells have seemed some
times TO diminish in supply from this
cause. When the incrustation is removed
the stream returns to its full quantity.
Great care is taken to avoid explosions or
other dangers. At intervals along the lines
are stations, through which tho pipes are
passed. AT these points huge safety valves
are inserted, so that when the pressure is
greater than a certain number of pounds
the valves are blown open and the gas es-
capes
10 Separate the gas from the water that
pours out along with it, powerful tank is
placed at the mouth of the well. Coniin-
ing the gas as it escapes is called piping
of well. The gas aud water are together |
conducted into the large tank The water |
being heavy, falls to the bottom of the re-
celyer, The gas rises to the top. and passes
into pipe, which conducts it away III any !
desired direction. Connected with each |
well IS one of Theron stand pipes men,
toned, through which the fluid escapes |
when not in use. 1t is ignited at the ton
OF the tube, SO as not to poison the at,nos- |
phere. The stand pipe must be some dis |
lance away from tue derrick aud buildings |
around the mouth of the well, otherwise |
with every gust Of wind it would lap them |
in flames and destroy them.
This fuel gas is not a good illuminant |
naturally. At present two sets of gas |
pipes are necessary, therefore, in houses
one for h ..e... lie .iies for light, But the
day visited the gas wells it was announces. (,
that an inventive genius had discovered |
way of treating and enriching it so that it |
could be used for illuminating as well. If |
this be true. than the problem will be in |
deed solved. The Bunson burner is used |
for the fuel gas, both in private houses and |
factories The white hot heat that can
thus be produced is something marvellous
A fine must be provided 10 carry of the
products of combustion, otherwise they
would soon poison the air.
When gas is common for fuel cooking
will be as neat work as piano PLAYING. II
will be good deal more fun. AT least a
third of the burden of housekeeping will
be lifted in winter. Next to Murrysville,
the most prolific of the Pittsburg wells are
found at Tarentum, village twenty miles
northeast of the city. But there is no tell
ing where it will or will not be found. 1t
may underlie the whole United States, for
all anybody knows. About the only point
that has been certainly proved in the
search for it is that biologists are ig
A IN kx-a
is found exactly where they have staked
their scientific reputation that there was
none. 1t does not particularly follow the
oil fields. 1t has. more often than ott err
wise, been struck in regions where there
are clay and limestone layers above and
sand below.
In boring the bit passes through four
- 81. n