The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-21
SCOUTS RETURN.
ScipiO Committee Says Pumps
Will Do Work.
But They Won't Be Ready Till
Jan. 10 to 15.
WILL COST S25O,OOO
Big Investment Indicates Gas
Supply Is Ample.
All Three Pumps Will Be Ready
Feb. i.


returned last evening from Scipio Kan,
TO visit the pumping station of the
Kansas Natural Gas company. Two
out or the three pumps it is expected
while the third pump will probably not
be running until February l.
Through a misunderstanding of the
long distance telephone message receiv-
ed by the State Journal Friday it was
stated that all three pumps would be
completed by January 10. This should
have read the first two pumps, though
the superintendent of the plant claims
operation. The first pump may be full
ly adjusted by the last of next week
the committee seems to think that this
will be brought to pass.
Charles Moeser, John P. Rogers and
Councilman c. w. Horn returned last
evening and made a report to the coun-
Gil an hour later. The report was brief
and stated that relief could be expected
on the date before mentioned and that
complete relief might be expected by
February 1.
According to Charles Moeser, who has
had long acquaintance with machine
ry and some with natural gas,
there will be enough pressure develop
ed by the pumping plant at Scipio to
materially aid the situation locally. He
believes that there is plenty of gas.
mo one is going to invest $500 in
pumping plant like this unless they
were assured that there was plenty of
gas" said he. This was also the opin-
ion of John Rogers, city engineer.
IF cold spell should come between
now and the middle of January the
people of Topeka are apt to suffer with
no coal and burning natural gas. 1t
would be bound to work hardship"
said Mr.. MoeserJ
A small pumping plant should be
built either close to Topeka or at the
point of junction of the main that runs
to Topeka with the big feed main at
Lawrence, this is also an expression
that found considerable weight with
Scipio is about "A miles from Topeka
and the location of another small
pumping plant on the Topeka feed line
would help the pressure still more for
the friction of the feed pipes is con-
George Swan, the superin
tendent of the gas company at Topeka,
agreed with the committee that the 10
cation of a small pumping station near
Topeka would better conditions Mr..
Swan accompanied the committee to
Scipio.
AS the result of the committees re-
port the council adopted a resolution
of Councilman Blakely's that the city
would refuse to issue any further ex-
cavation permits to the gas company
for main extensions until such time as
the gas company would be able to sup
ply an adequate amount of gas to It's
The resolution was drawn
up in the form Of an instruction to the
city engineer who has the authority to
grant excavation permits.
Valuable Plant at Scipio.
In addition to the pump house at
Scipio with it's three pumps, each one |
of which cost 100000, there is a COM |
p1ete electric light plant and turbine |
pump plant for pumping water. The |
gas comes to the pumping plant at |
Scipio at pressure of about $50 |
are eight pumps in !
operation and two more building at
Petrolia sixty miles south and these |
force the gas to Scipio. At the latter |
station when the pumps are in opera |
ton the gas will be drawn out of the |
TWO sixteen inch mains. compressed |
and forced out again at an increased |
pressure of $50 to 800 pounds. The |
increases the heat of the |
gas until it reaches a point over 200 |
degrees. To cool the gas down so that |
it will not have a false pressure a |
and the gas mains are laid |
at the bottom of the pond and cooled |
by the water. A pumping plant forces
the water for this pond from small
river, the PottaWatomfe, to a reservoir
and the pond is in turn supplied from
changed frequently because it is
heated until it reaches almost a boil
ing point. The turbine pump carries
the water from the reservoir to the
pond while the electric light plant
furnishes the power for the myriad
number of electric lights that are
hung over the gas pumping plant. 1t
IS claimed that force OF thirty-five
will be constantly employed at this
plant when it is in operation. A num-
Der of cottages of a substantial ma
ture have been erected close by for
the use of these permanent employees.
At Petrolia which is the larger sta
ton of the two. the investment of the
Kansas Natural Gas company it is
stated, represents close to $1,000
The force of employees is also con-
larger.
The Scipios station has been under
for over half year.
The first work of erection on the ma
started in June the electric