The times., 1898-10-08
CARBoLITE GAS.


Since the Introduction of gas as a sub
stitute for oil lamps there has been no
progress in lighting except where cleo
tricity is used. until recently acetyIene
gas has been made. Now. according 10
the Iron Age, .'acetyIene gas will shortly
have rival in carbolite. for the produc-
ton of which blast-furnaee stag is stated
to be especially suitable. Preparations
are being made at Hammond, Ind, near
South Chicago. for utilizing Stag for this
purpose. The inventor of the process OF
manufacture is Mr.. Herman L. Harten-
stein' Chicago chemist. who has taken
out patent for utilizing the waste prod
ucts of blast furnaces in the manufacture
oil earooiite, from which ethylene gas is
produced, defined as an Improvement on
aee'ylene, but having the same charac-
teristics. Carbolite is a combination Of
the carbides of calcium. aluminium and
silicon, ana for its production biasf-fffr-
mace Stag is especially suitable
ne method of production is described
as follows; The Stag IS almost as fluid as
water, and by means of ladies'. operated BY
hydraulic power, it is passed into convert
ers similar TO those used Tor the manu-
iacture OF Bessemer steel The tuyeres
are so arranged that finely -pulyerizad
coke may be fed through them Before
the Stag is poured into the converter a
strong gas blast is forced through the
pipes to keep the molten mass from run
ming into and filing them up.
As soon. however, as the Stag is pour
ed into the converter the pulyerlzed
coke is fed into the molten mass. This Is
continued until the Stag is thoroughly
impregnated with the coke. When the
mixture is complete the converter Is
turned on its shaft, so as TO allow the
mass TO flow between a series of carbon
bars or electrodes which serve 10 intro
duce powerful electric current. Coke
IS an excellent conductor Of electricity.
while Stag is a resistant The result is
that the particles OF Stag in connection
with the particles OF coke form innum-
cradle electric arcs producing a most in
tense heat within the mixture In the
course Of about twenty minutes the mass
becomes 50 supeTheated that the Stag IS
fused or carbureted with the coke.
when the fusion is effected the ma
terial is finished. It is then poured into
molds- When cool it IS of crystalline
formation, has metallic glitter and is
nearly twice the weight of coal The fin
ished product is earbolite, which can be
kept indefinitely and transported without
difficulty Protected by wood -jacketed tin
cans from water and air moisture. IL can
be kept as common article Of merchan-
1ise, and supplied to the consumer with
much less difficulty than Illuminating oil.
Each pound OF carbolite will produce
ft"e feet Of gas. Each cubic foot is equal
in Illuminating power 10 fifteen feet of
ordinary coal or water gas.
The unused Bessemer plant al Ham
mOnd has been secured for the manufac-
ture of earboIite, and is now being fitted
with the necessary electrical appliances.
If the claims OF the inventor are sub
stanriaI he viii turn out a product which
viii make a better gas than acetyleue for
isolated lighting. at much lower cost
If the Stag can thus be made valuable
the cost Of producing iron may be con-
s:derably diminished"