New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-18
CHEAPER ILLUMINATING GAS.

POSSIBILITIES OF ACETYLENE-A NEW DAY
LOAD" FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING PLANTS.
The recent discovery by an American of cheap
way OF producing acetylene which mas higher
Illuminating power than any of the other gaseous
combinations OF hydrogen and carbon has created
more of a sensat ton the other side OF the At
lantic than it has in this country. paper on
this subject presented the London Society OF
Arts few weeks ago. by Professor Vivian r.
Lewes who is widely known authority on
the chemistry OF flame, has attracted much atten-
ton. IL Is a curious fact that gas OF certain
quality will produce less light. IL used directly
an Ilumnant. with the best sort OF burner, than
II converted into electricity by means OF gas
engine and dynamo Now however We are con-
fronted by a new phenomenon, directly reversing
the situation. \ given amount OF electricity VIII
Weld less light In the proportion OF IS A. II
into the flarnents OF the ncandescent burner. than
II employed in an electric furnace to manufacture
the new material which has been made TO evolve
acetylene,
Wilson'S discovery was accidental. He was really
trying TO accomplish something quite different from
the cheapening of gaslight. lie had undertaken
per1mens for the purpose of forming an alloy Of
calcium. the metal which constitutes the base OF
lime and chalk At the temperature Of the electric
arc he had melted some lime and powdered coal
together The result disappointed him and the semi
metallic product dumped into bucket Of
water Instantly the liquid effervesced. betraying
characteristics odor Well "a by its combustion
when A match was applied gave indications OF its
nature The discoveries perfected process OF max
ing calcium carbide calls for the mixture. In the
form Of poyder. OF 10 parts by weight OF lime or
chalk and q of charcoal. coke anthracite graph
ite When water Is poured upon the product. SAYS
Professor I.ewes Il double decomposition and re-
combination take place The liquid is resolved into
its constituent elements: the oxygen selling upon
IN. calcium and forming calcc oxide. or lime.
again and the hydrogen uniting with the carbon In
the right proportion 10 produce acetylene. Among
the other Hydrocarbons there is none approaching
this in Illuminating power Thus. m@thane, whose
composition is carbon part and hydrogen 4. gives
a light Of 80 candles when burned AT the rate OF
five cubic feet an hour: ethlne. whose symbol is
&. I6 30 candies. propane, G lis J6,, eihylene.
90 III 20: butylene "a us. 123; while acetylene
90 AZ Is rated at 30 candle power This last gas
unconsumed. has oGor like garlic. and is I'M
wholesome not to say poisonous. II taken into the
lungs: but the product OF its combustion is virtu-
ally tb. same in character that Of ordinary coal
or water gas, although perhaps not 80 abundant
I'm fact Professor Lewcs expressed the belief some
time ago that the other hydrocarbons in a gas flame
wore always transformed into acetylenc before any
great amount Of light WAS produced. - that We
nav. this particular hydrocarbOn burning IN every
gas jrt already.
II pure. acetylenr yicds the most light when used
with burners giving small Nat flame. The ArSand
does not produce quit" a. good results Hut gas
makers have long been accustomed 10 max" a gaS
of rather low Illuminating power. and then To enrlch
by the addition ~ separate hyd"carhoh ot better
quality This matter OF enrichment has been the
subject of much study aud In the discussion which
followed the reading ~ Professor lewess paper II
WAS the possible value OF acetyiene In combination
with In. produc, OF the ordinary gas plant which
provoked the most inquiry. That distinguished eX-
pert pointed out. In reply thereto. that acetylene