The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-19
GAS MAD[FROM WOOD.
A Light In Raleigh With a
Great Future.
DR. BiIl6g-r's Patented Process May Reyolu.
tioniz, Healing And Ligntrg Because
OF It's Small Cost


A gas light plant that may revolutions
ize lighting and heating is in operation
in Raleigh.
1t is a patented process plan and be-
cause of the brilliant light, the means of
making it and it's extreme cheapness it
has a great future before it,
So confident of this are the men who
have investigated the matter that steps
are being taken to form company with
large capital in order to place it's adj
vantages before the people, and furnish
to the householders gas plant on their
own premises.
Yesterday afternoon there was de-
monstration of this plant in the yard at
the back of tie residence of DR.. J. A.
Sexton on Fayetteville street, where
there is located a little gas plant that
supplies him with the best of gas light.
The demonstration showed the gas
plant in operation, making gas from
wood. This is done by the patented
process of DIR. C. w. Bilfinger. In a re-
tort an armful of wood was placed and
from this the gas holder was filled, this
containing 800 cubic feet of gas. This
was made in less than an hour. At night
the gas was burned and it gave brill
liant light, the fame being high. large
and clear, and in Welsehbach burner
making the regulation white light.
After the gas is formed in the retort
it is passed through water and is then
collected in the iron holder. In making
the gas any kind of wood can be used,
hickory, oak and pine, or any other wood
that is to be had. Chips and sawdust
can also be used A cord of wood, cost
ing $500 or less will make anywhere
from sixty to one hundred thousa nd
cubic feet of gas, and sometimes more.
Many prominent gentlemen were pres
ent at the test yesterday and it was cal
culated by these that householder with
one of these plants could make enough
gas to burn three or four jets each night
for month at cost of fifteen cents
month The plants can be arranged for
simply one home, for q block or for an
entire city. The plant at DR.. Sections
can be used to make gas for the homes
on two blocks in Raleigh. A hotel or
business house using this process would
find it a bonanza.
The cost of each plant depends of
course on it's size, and the owners have
estimated that the plants will cost from
5000 upwards, this is of course not in
GLIDING the equipping of the houses with
gas pipes or burners.
This gas can also be used for heating
and cooking purposes. 1t is capable of
being developed into great heat, and its
extreme cheapness will cause this to be
a feature where a plant is put in. The
t. I.Crr fn11 So. les
than nothing, for after a $500 cord OF
wood is used in the retort there is res
idue of charcoal and tar that will sell
for twice the cost of the wood
Dr. C. W. Bilfinger the patentee, is
German, who some time ago came to
North Carolina from the North He is
an eminent physician and chemist. and
for some time lived at Washington, n.
c., where he first put in operation his
gas plant, but not the improved one he
has now patented. At one time it is said
that Washington was lighted by his pro-
cess. Then he could make only about
twenty-five thousand cubic feet OF gas
from a cord of wood, and he is confident
that under his new method this can be
increased to one hundred and twenty-five
thousand cubic feet for every cord of
WOOD uSeu. II is not Unnecessary W run inc
plant every day, but once month, or
even for a longer time, will be suffi-
Client.
The promise of this new process has
unlimited possibilities, as demonstrated
yesterday, and as shown at Fuquay
Springs, where larger plant is used,
making gas just as brilliant as that made
from coal. That the establishment of
great plant for the manufacture of the
necessary apparatus for introducing this
throughout the world would be paying
investment for Raleigh capitalists can
not be doubted. 1t will mean that in
the city and in the country each home
can have a cheap and brilliant light al
ways ready for the match, and ready to
heat and to be used in cooking when it
is wanted.