The record-union., 1896-08-03
ACETYLENE GAS.
rlachines by Which 1t Can be Con-
trOlled Perfectly.

Since the use of the old rush candle
of our forefathers there has been an
evolution of illumination up 10 the pres
ent time. This evolution can be traced
step by step from the unsteady candle
up to the arc lamp, and a tendency has
always been to an increased illumina-
ton.
AS the eye becomes accustomed to
one light, it adjust itself to the condi-
tions of illumination that the one light
gives, until it sees another and greater
light, when the previous light thereafter
becomes insufficient merely by compari-
son, and the greater light becomes a
necessity.
There was a time when consumers
We're satisfied and pleased by the light
given from coal gas, but when electric
ity was introduced the brighter light
became more desirable. Since then
there has been constant battle be-
tween the two; with the gas engineers
it has been the attempt to improve the
light with different forms of burners.
and by super-enriching the gas; with
the electricians it has been the aim to
increase the efficiency of both the dyna-
mos and incandescent lamps and their
cost of installation and repairs brought
TO a minimum: until now each faction
has by its gradual improvements
reached a high standard
We now have "acetylene" gas, a light
which. for ease of installation, low cost
and adaptability for all uses, is at
tracing much attention. Ii is claimed
that this gas can be sold for less than
half the price of coal gas.
The problem has been to obtain an
apparatus that would utilize this new
product in the most economical way.
The principle of acetylene gas genera
tion by this agent is to bring carbide of
calcium in contact with water; the re-
sulting action is the forma ton of two
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. gas and calcium
hydrate, or ordinary slaked lime. There
have been many forms and designs of
acetylene gas machines depending upon
the principle of bringing water in con-
tact with carbide of calcium, but most
of them, owing to certain inherent con-
ditions of the construction of the ma
chimes, and to the pecularities of car
bide of calcium when brought in con-
tact with water, have been lacking in
the fundamental features that a ma
L
do not obtain from the carbide all the
gas that it is capable of making, and
most of them after obtaining the gas
lose a certain percentage. In others
the control of the gas is extremely i'm
perfect, causing high pressures and the
burners to flicker and not produce their
! best effects.
One company has had wide experience
constantly experimenting with it and
with machines to produce the desired
end, and now have, as the results of
many experiments, a generator which
works automatically and utilizes all the
gas generated and controls all the gas
In the burners perfectly by their own
controller. In connection with this
machine there are automatic devices
which inform the user when the ma
| chine requires attention (Which is very
seldOm), the only attention necessary
being the replenishing of the water and
carbide, and the facilities for so doing
are of the simplest. The generator is
| so constructed that safety devices pre-
vent absolutely having over one pound
pressure, thus making any accident i'm
| possible.
By the use Of eight pounds Of carbide
| of calcium this generator will produce
the Illuminating effect of 1000 cubic
feet of coal or water gas of 10 c. p. Its
capacity is sixty pounds of carbide to
the charge, and in ordinary store and
house lighting does not require replen-
ishing with carbide but once every
week or ten days. Its maximum ca
pacity is 200 half-foot burners, or their
| equivalent; therefore, on a complete
charge it is enabled to produce the IL
| Illumination that would be the result of
burning $500 cubic feet of coal or water
raS