The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-20

The problem of satisfactory use of
natural gas for lighting seems to have
been solved by the discovery of a Salt
Lake man. The householders of the
city may soon be satisfied with a light
that is strong, clear and pretty.
Ever since the flow OF natural gas
was turned into the pipes that supplies
the residence portion Of Salt Lake city
with its lighting gas. there has been a
great deal Of dissatisfaction over the
quality of the illuminant At first it
was found that the gas would not
burn with any satisfaction whatever,
giving a pale, blush light, Pickering
and painful
In order to concentrate the light of
the gas, and make it burn steadily, the
Welsbach burner was brought into
general use. There IVES a little more
satisfaction, but still there was great
deal OF objection. Ladies found that the
light was not bright enough and that
it had the effect of casting a rather
pale glare over everything. Il was
found rather trying to compilations in
particular and electricity was preferred
70 t.
The trouble with the natural gas has
been that it is deficient in carbon, the
cause of the light. The gas is a slight
ly carbonated hydrogen. In order to
give it concentration and consequent
high Illuminating powers it was found
necessary to add carbon to the hydro
gen. 1t is this problem that has been
solved by Clarence Barrett, who is con-
rected with the gas works here and
VINO has studied the matter for some
time.
In order to obtain a good light"
said Mr.. Barrett last evening, 1T is
necessary to supply the deficient car
bon, and | believe this can be success
fully done. We believe we now have
the scheme perfected. BY our process
we can supply stronger, warmer,
steadier light than is given by the
manufactured gas. To put this in will
double the price of natural gas, which
is now furnished at 30 cents per thou
sand feet. However, l do not believe
the cost will amount to double, as the
carbonized gas is so much stronger
than the other that a smaller supply
will suffice for lighting.
Manufactured gas is now selling a
1920 per thousand. So we could fur
nish our product at less than half the
cost Of that and give better service.
We do away with the Welsbach burn
er. This costs $3.50, and burning out
every three months, requires 90 cents
for renewal. With the carbonized gas.
the Argand burner is to be used. 1t
merely distributes the gas into a round
fame, allowing an atmospheric current
through the center. 1t costs so cents
and does not burn out.
The expense of putting in the new
system will not be great. There will
be no tearing up Of floors. The entire
cost of a plant for the supply of twen-
ty-five lights will not exceed $40, with
a dollar or two for plumbers BILL
Mr.. Barrett has sample of the light
fixed in the basement of the show
rooms of the Salt Lake 81 Ogden COM
pany on Second South street. He has
a natural gas jet and a carbonized jet
side by side. The contrast is quite
striking. The former throws a sickly
light, the latter a warm glow. The
flame of the carboniZed gas was steady
and clear, rising in the burner for a
full six inches without any Of the flick
ering of manufactured gas.
So far the ownership of this diScOV-
cry is in Mr.. Barrett and L. NJ. Bailey,
territorial librarian. A patent has been
applied for Of course the method of
carbonizing the gas will not be given
out until that is received. Negotiations
are now on between the Salt Lake &
Ogden company and the owners, and it
is believed that the former will take
the matter up in the near future.
It is anticipated that this discovery
will have very wide bearing. Mr..
Barrett says that all the eastern ma
tural gas is deficient in carbon. Of
course, under those conditions, there
would be a demand for the use Of the
idea wherever natural gas is found.