Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-03-14
SAFETY OF ACETYLENE-GAS
showing Conclusively That 1t Is
SAFER Than Coal-Gas, Kerosene.
Electricity and Other Lights.

N'J 'S"V SnS, tHe uiIeCl pTOuuct
under low pressure of calcium car
o'de aud water, nothing else, that is
meant
This distinction is important, for
the reason that much confusion exists
In the public mind as regards two
substances. wholly unlike in charac-
ter, that bear the name Acetylenc.
One OF these is the simple gas here
referred To; the other is liquid that
can be produced nly under pres
sure SO enormous a. TO make it ex
tremely dangerous. 1t is the LIQUID
article that is responsible for the nu
merous "Acetylene accidents" that
have been reported from time to time.
and which have been eagerly paraded
by the opponents of any cheaper and
better light, evidently with a view to
create prejudice against whatever
bears the name Acetylene.
That any new light having the
wonderful merits of Acetvlene gas
could enter the field, crowding aside
inferior old lights, without being
grossly misrepreseuted, is perhaps not
TO be expected. If the attack is not
of one kind, il is sure 20 be of anoth
er. We may as we'll remember that
some of the richest monopolies ON
earth, including the multi millionaire
oil and gas trusts. are directly array
ed against everything in the shape of
new and popular anti monopoly
light, such as is the present one
SO let the reader look out for "dan-
gers of Acetylene gas" or what not,
this year and next, aud until the
twelve million homes of America are
fairly supplied with this superg co"t
10 humanity. In the meantime, kind
Y satisfy your own mind, and that
fully, that when at last such An un
equalird light has been made availa
Bile, it not only is not hedged about
by dangers seen and unseen, but is
the safest, AS il likewise is the most
beautiful and economical, of illum-
inants.
An appeal to the plain facts in the
case is all that is necessary to satisfy
every inquirer.
SAFETY Of AcetgleRe gas on the grounds
Ofslight pressure; It about egudlS Mof
Of common ea-kcffle.
For Il moment let us observe the
nature of liquid Acetylene, the bad
reputation of which has been applied
To defame Acety lene gas This liquid
is dangerous because, first, il is made
under the enormous pressure of 600
pounds TO each square inch of surface.
Then after it is made, the liquid NAV
become even vastly more dangerous.
because, as shipped in steel cylinders
from the factory, IL force is snbicct
10 "a" extremely hazardous Increase
by so ordinary All influence as II mere
rise of temperature. The following
hgurrs GA jhiS point are authoritative:
they aIe from expert testimony. taken
under cross examination at the recent
Ne" iia,cn explosion trial For
clearness and contrast, pounds have
been reduced to ounces.
Nature of the Liquid Acetylene
which has caused the Accidents.
Pressure to each square inch:
Pressure at PIP deg. (4,2O0 lbs),
$4,000 ounces. Pressure rs manu-
factured 600 lbs.). $500 ounces.
Nature of Acetylene Gas here re-
ferred to. Pressure to each square
Inch:
Highest pressure at any tempera-
cure, ounces. Ordiuarv pressure at
any temperaturs, 81 ounces.
The above remarkable contrast re-
quIres no comment AS regards
Acetylen gas, it is not possible, in
any properly constructed generator,
to exceed the lower figures given, for
the reason that such pressure is sub
ject only to "a few ounces in weight of
water. Before there can be extra
pressure the gas instantly bubbles up
through the water, escaping through
the outdoor vent pipe, just as steam
Is driven through tea kettle spout
when the kettle cover fits tightly.
SAFETY Of AcetyleRe-gaS as compared
aCith kerosene.