The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-02
GAS WORKS IN
BAD CONDITION.
So Reports the Gas Expert Who Has
Examined Them.
SOME REPAIRS ARE IMPERATIVE.
The Naptha Tanks Should he lsemoVed
as There is Constant Danger or an
Explosion Which Would
Wreck the Plant.
SOME REPAIRS ARE IMPERATIVE.

The feature Of the Light Committee
meeting last evening was the presentation
OF the report OF Inc gas expert VINO hds
been examining into the affairs tneie.
IL demonstrates that the city Is IN heeu
OF "a practically new plant, ana thal
there is danger of an explosion tnere al
any time. the tanks holding many gar
Ions OF naphtha, being situated between
two fires as IL were. The tracks Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio run close on one
side, and on the other are the furnaces
and boilers.
Alsssrs. Wallorstein chairman. Miner
soay. MOsby, Shea, CARRIER and Ferriter
were present when the committee met at
HIGH GAS BILL.
Major y. " Randolph appeared before
the committee and stated that his gas
bin for the past month had Jumped up TO
more than s12 the average being from
81 t0 81. lie said lie never objected 10
paving for what hc got but did object
decidedly TO paying for what he had
not consumed. lie presented 70 the
chairman his gas bills from 1885 up TO
the present
The matter was referred 10 the Gas IN
spector for Investigation.
The clerk then read 10 the committee
the report Of the gas expert, who proves
90 be- ar r. T. Rice. superintendent oi
the Norfolk Gas Works. Mr.. Rice was
al the works for four days. and assumed
fuI charge ~
The report deals first NJ all with "the
trouble of the past" The method Of OBJ
tanning the water gas IS crude and UNI
satisfactory. says Mr. Rice. The machine
has never given satisfaction. the cana le
mower has been hard 70 maintain. the o"
results have been poor the hourly maze
of gas irregular and The oil vanof7 nave
passed away in an unnNcd condiIion.
Tn. vHs machine ls OF tyre ROY srneI-
a'lv used. and while not REGARDED WIN
an.o'uf. Gi-far0r is not considered eco
i.al or efficient.
The gas machine used for making W'l.'
cae has two Objectionable tcatuie7' ist
10 ls not economical, second IL VIII ho1
handle bearing oils. 3 plant ihe ''@o
or Richmond does not want to be depen-
dent ON napfhd. Says AIR kcV since the
price has been known 90 60 very N.sN'
COST OF OILS.
Dealing with the matter from an eco
u0miral standpoint, MT Rice says tne
books show "a use OF 413 gallons OF OH
per thousand and 9,1 of coke The can-
/ die u1wer ls stated 80 2-j, but is acknoW-
ledge To- have been frequently poorer.
/ Taking this figure. however. that Us 4.i
candles to tine gallon a. oi The CON
eiruetors of machines to-day VIII s""i
sutae --5 candles per gallon ana 4te-
cuculy obtain and over
The present blowing plant has many
olf.ctI1uaIie features. says MT. il.e.
Pm. of tla belts and machinery are To-
Gated out-iI. JOB the main house expos
ta .I The DUST There is only one 4ei
sized engine. lJ-horse power I''
other engine is but e-h1rse power. Ih7
blowers are of small capacity. The ste
/ nation of thc raptha tanks is hazardous
m the extreme.
Mr. Rice goes on ~ make "a nhIh"'r I'd.
recommended lions as 20 inc laying ou- OF
tho plant which c0mpr lends so.e
deal VI work 0u the engines, ana Woulu
cost altogether about $1,000
THE storage capacity Wiu shortly be
found to Doe Inadequate.
THE water gas plant. Mr.. Rice thinks
is CAPABLE of much greater economy tnan
i'm the past. while the coal gas plant u
T Increased one operator alone. viii max.
f Gas cost more iA4n lhe coal sas cost lasi
year. -,e.-
afr. Eice goes on 20 criticise the purify
/ iu- plant. ..
Ta. rcnort was discussed AZ some
/ LENGTH after which &c was determined to
/ rar.fvo il and meet M the Lower Gas
/ Works ON the 18th Of February at
O'Clock 10 consider the same.
Mr. pieo'e bin. amounting to fliG3 was
approved and ordered 10 De paid.