The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-31
THE FUTURE OF AcETYLENE.
Present Cost Of Making Calcium Car
bide-NeceSsary Precautions


Present Cost OF Making Calcium Car
bide-Nece~sary Precautions.
New York Tribune
When the discovery OF . simple mode
of making calcium carbide. mineral
which generates great quantities OF
beautiful Illuminating gas IL water be
poured upon ii. was announced few
months ago. 1t was predicted by per-
sons interested In electric lighting plants
that the product wouf0 be merely a
chemical curiosity" and never acquire
q commercial status. On the other hand.
careful computations by Mr.. Wilson and
his friends led them TO think that the
carbide could he made for SIS or so a
tom These estimates were based on the
assumption that power for operating the
electrical furnace required in the manu-
facture could be obtained at the rate OF
S per horsepower yearly. For some rea-
son, the small quantities OF carbide thus
far marketed have been sold at prices
that correspond to $50 and Sp ton;
so that the electric light folks profess
to feel greatly relieved in regard TO fu-
ture competition. 1t Is too soon. no
doubt, accurately TO predict the future
of the industry. but the eminent German
makers of electrical apparatus, Siemens
& Haiske, have already lent substantial
aid TO the establishment of calcium
carbide factory in Europe. evidently be-
prove extensive. II this expectation be
realized, the manufacture of special gas
holders and other apparatus for use IN
connection with carbide and acetyiene
will become necessary.
IL burned without admixture with air.
acetylene gives of smoky flame; but II
IL be diluted to one-sixth or one-tenth Of
its original strength flame OF great bril-
Hancy is obtained. The carbide can be
kent a year or two without deteriorating
II placed in tightly corked bottle with
little coal oil over il. II then looks Ike
lustrous black mineral. But with pro-
longed exposure to the air IL disintegrafes
into a gray powder Pains snould De
taken especially to guard it against water
or even dampness, because these serve to
generate and release the gas. Acetylene,
like other Hydrocarbons, is liable to form
an explosive mixture with air, II too large
a proportion of the latter be added. Even
expert chemists have allowed themselves
to forget this fact In recent experiments
with the gas, and have met with yexa-
tious not TO say distressing, accidents.
Hence automatic regulation OF the mix
ture must prove an essential feature OF
any popular system OF using acetylene.
This gas may be liquefied under high
pressure, and in that form may be stored
in small, stout cylinders. just as hydro
gen, oxygen and illuminating gas are, for
III very SoihpaSS "
the point at which 1t is to be consumed.
Possibly acetylene will be marketed in
this way, to save the expense and bother
of a gas-making installation. either for
enriching coal gas or water gas. or dor
burning with air. In the apparatus for
liquefying acetylene the gas, upon escap-
ing from strong water-jacketed tank in
which it is generated, flows through a
coil surrounded by water to condense and
drain off as much aqueous vapor as pos
sible; 1t then passes through another
tank, in which pieces of calcium carbide
are exposed, in order to rob the gas of
any remaining moisture. Next Ii goes
through another COIL surrounded by a
cooling mixture. and finally into the re-
movable storage cylinder. which is con-
nected with the apparatus and is charged
through a tap. Internal pressure in the
generating tank is permitted to increase
to several hundred pounds to the square
inch. At 4S5 pounds and a temperature OF
Sc degrees, or at 610 pounds and eS degrees.
liquefaction occurs readily OF course the
same change will result from any temper
ature intermediate between the two
named. with a corresponding readjust-
ment Of pressure.