The Van Buren press., 1899-07-08
LIQUID air for Commercial use.

DlQHlu alT IOI SOIumCi Cial uSCs
From the ST Louis Republic.
NEW YORK, July 8.-An experimental
test of liquid air plant built after the
designs of liquid air plant built after
the designs of Oscar P. Ostergress and
Morritz Burger was made this evening
at the factory. No. 531 West Twenty
third street. before many scientists and
others interested in the new power.
One of the principal objects of the ex-
pertinent was to demonstrate that it is
possible to make liquid air at cost
which will render it useful for CONNER
cial purposes, and make it as common
in every household as heat and light.
The capacity of the plant is /, 500 gal
Ions day, and during the actual run
ming time of the machinery this average
was kept up. The fluid, looking like
pure water. had temperature of about
400 degrees below zero, and cost trifie
over 5 cents gallon, which is said to
be 10 cents less than any ever made be-
fore.
The first gallon of liquid air ever
made cost about 50, 500. Mr.. Ostergress
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the
experts that it can now be made for
cents gallon.
The machinery comprising the plant
is simple and the only care necessary is
to have receptacles strong enough to
sustain very high pressure.
The air to be liquefied is taken through
stand pipe from above the roof of the
factory, and after being washed and
filtered is compressed until the gauge
shows pressure of 200 degrees.
This pressure makes heat, so the com
pressed air, after being cooled by passing
it through coils of pipe immersed in
water, is permitted to escape into q
chamber where it expands instantly and
turns to liquid, which can be drawn
from receiver under the chamber.
The air which does not liquefy passes
again through the system and cools the
incoming air so that by this circulation
the temperature is kept below 312 de.
grees, at which temperature compressed
air brakes liquid This process can be
kept up for an indefinite period, The
value of liquid air as refrigerant was
shown in several appliances designed
for use in an entirely new line.
The fluid being chemically pure, al
apparatus has been made to distribute
it through hospitals, hotels, private
houses and other places, so that any
desired temperature can be maintained
1t can be made cold enough inside {
house to make fiannels necessity while
the outside walls may be blistering from
the heat.
Few persons would like to be the ice
man when liquid air plants are running
Bar-rooms can furnish liquid air cock
tails mixed with whisky that will tastt
like a section of the North Pole.
drop of liquid air will freeze a glass o
water, and quart of the air will make
everything in a refrigerator like luml
of ice.
1t was shown by experiments tina
liquid air mixed with carbon or an,
volatile substance becomes a powerful
explosive, and experts believe that i
will take the place OF other explosive
for blasting purposes. 1t has beel
demonstrated that twelve gallons 0
liquid air are equal in power to ton o
dynamite.
The only obstacle in the way of tn
extensive use of liquid air is the DANCE
of explosive from heat. Mr.. Ostergres
has invented carrier by which tn
fluid preserved in the new way is safe
and can be transported anywhere with
out danger,