Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-29
NATURAL GAS.
Some Theories Regarding tho Souroo q
This Wonderful Fuel.

Some Theories Regarding tho sourss q
This Wonderful Fuel.
The industrial importance of the sup
ply of natural combustihle gas in Pitts
burgh and its neighborhood can scarcely
be estimated and stated in figures. This
gas, rising from the numerous wells,
with almost explosive force, is fast dis
placing coal in the manufacture of iron,
steel and glass, and in domestic econ
Omy
TIE atmosphere of Pittsburgh is no
longer heavily loaded with SCOT, and has
become pervious to sunshine. The gas
is making an industrial revolution. 1t
has cheapened the processes and pro-
duets of existing establishments, and
new undertakings are multiplying by
reason OF the great advantages offered
by the new fuel. Works long estab-
lshed at other places are being trans
ferred to this more favored region, while
at the same time, bold projects for car
rying the gas in large pipes to distant
points are freely discussed, and the gas
producing area is being constantly ex-
tended by exploration. Yet the use of
gas in the manufacture OF iron and
ceramic products is not new, for as early
as 1872 it was utilized at Leechburg in
pudding furnaces, and at the potteries
of East Liverpool before 1876. One of
the rolling mills at Pittsburgh introduced
the gas as early as 1875.
There are now several companies
organized for the purpose of drilling
wells and supplying the gas in regular
measured quantities to consumers. The
celebrated Westinghouse well was
drilled in 1884. and tapped the gas at
depth of about LOGO feet. One alone
OF the companies draws its supply of gas
from fOrty-two wells. at a distance of
about twenty miles from the center of
the city, and has over 335 miles of main
and distributing pipes, ranging in diam
eter from four up to twenty-four inches.
1t is estimated that the amount of coal
daily displaced by the gas supplied by
this company is not less than 10000
tons. One pound of gas, or about
twenty-fOur cubic feet, is considered to
be equal in heating effect to two and a
quarter pounds of coal. The most
economical mixture appears to be one
volume of gas to eight volumes of air.
The explosive mixture is one Volume of
gas with ten of air. So far, there have
been very few accidents from explO-
sion. and the gas is very easily man
aged and controlled. Its value and
convenience in the house is simply in
describable, doing away with all kind
lin Iirt
constant. clean fire, under perfect con-
troll.
The gas issues from the bore holes
with great and varying pressure, rising
sometimes as high as $50 pounds % the
square inch. 1t escapes from the blow
off pipes with loud roar that may often
be heard for miles away. When Ii GIFTED,
it burns with a yellow flame, showing
the presence of salt, in small quantities.
brought up with the gas. The many
escape pipes about the city light up the
heavens at night with lurid glare,
like that of burning barns.
There are already many theories of
the source of this wonderful gas, and
the widest theorists are the so-called |
practical men. Science finds many |
difficulties and facts hard to reconcile |
with any theory. The gas comes from J
sandstone formations, below the oil /
bearing rocks, and, by many, is sup /
posed to follow the lines of the upward |
folds or anticlinical textures of the
strata; but it has been found also in the
synclinical depressiOns. Some believe
that, owing to the enormous pressures
where the gas is found, it is in LIQUID
form, and that it fills 1cavities and great
caverns capable of furnish
ing an inexhaustible supply.
There is room for a great diversity of
opinion in regard to the permanence of
the supply of gas. Prof. Lesley, the
geologist of Pennsylvania. declares
boldly and strongly that both oil and
gas are temporary, evanescent pro-
ducts, sure to be exhausted and to dis
appear. He regards the gas as I'M
evolved from the petroleum,
while others maintain that it is indie
pendent in origin. In this connection
we must not forget that some of the
great cOmetary masses are formed
chiefly of hydrocarbon vapors. But if
the supply of this most useful gas is to
give out in the course of a generation
Or two, consolation is found in the be-
lief that the advantages of gaseous fuel
will be SO fully made known and ap-
oreciated that we shall never return to
he crude and wasteful ways of burning
,oal, but realize the assertion of Siemens
hat gas made of coal is to be the fuel of
he future.-N. Y. Independent.
UNSOUGHT PRAISE,