Middletown transcript., 1909-02-20
ACErYLENE's REMARKABLE QUALITIES

A reprint and revision Of Bulletin, No.
81 of the State Department of Agriculture
of Pennsylvania has been issued by the
Department Of Chemistry Of the Pennsyl-
yania State College, under the authorship
of George Gilbert Pond, Ph.D. The
whole subject Of Calcium Carbide and
AcetyIene is covered most thoroughly
without the use Of technical language, and
the book contains complete and authori.
tative information, so simply told that
the public generally will find the book
not only instructive but extremely inter-
esting.
The use OF Acetylere commercially is
an evolution covering ten or twelve years.
The rapid strides which the new ilumi-
nant has made, especially in country
homes, is making it a formidable COM
petitor for favor wherever illumination is
required.
The spectral analysis of the light shows
it to be practical duplication of sunligi {,
so that colors have their true value when
illuminated by this brilliant gas. Recently
the use Of Acetylene for the headlights Of
automobiles, its adoption by the Govern
ment for beacon lights, lighthouses, forts
and Indian schools, has given Acetylene
new impetus.
Professor Pond has shown that the
dweller in the country home can secure
this excellent illuminant at a cost which
compares, to the advantage of Acetylene,
with city gas when burned in the open
fame burner costing dollar per thous-
and cubic feet.
The Board OF Engineers OF the National
Board of Fire Underwriters have, after a
years examination of the subject, declared
that Acetylene, when installed With ap-
proved apparatus, is safer than the iIlu-
minants which it replaces, and the Ma
tional Board of Fire Underwriters has
revised its rules in such q manner as to
encourage its more rapid introduction.
Calcium Carbide, which has in some quar-
ters been regarded as a dangerous SUBJ
stance, has been Investigated and declared
without hazard by the Fire Underwriters.
These facts will come in the nature of a
great surprise to many who have regarded
Acetylene as dangerous. In dealing with
this phase of the subject, Professor Pond
has given thorough information as to the
safe use Of Acetylene and the precautions
which must be taken with this substance,
the same as With any other illuminant.
An interesting phase Of the subject is the
remarkable use Of what is known as the
Oxy.acetylene blow-pipe. BY burning
Acetylene in an atmosphere Of pure Oxy-
gen, the highest temperature in chemistry
is evolved, practically equaIling the cleo
trio arc. A pencil Of fame two or three
inches long, and no larger than the barrel
OF fountain pen, can be drawn across q
piece Of sheet metal and literally melts
the metal in two. The process can be
reversed and sheet metal. iron, brass,
copper, aluminium, and in fact any of the
ordinary metals can be literally melted
together and, curiously, the joint is so
perfectly formed that file will not dis.
close the point Of fracture. Bridge girders
have been cut with great rapidity, and il
is stated that this simple pencil OF fame
promises revolution in the methods OF
metal working establishments.
Another curious phase OF the subject is
the fact that Calcium Carbide at certain
has the power of fixing the
nitrogen Of the air and ia this way will
produce q fertilizer called cyanamide,
which Is found equal to the Chilian nj,
tFates. Few people realize that fifteen |
million dollars worth OF Chilian nitratea
have been imported into tllis country and |
used by the farmers here during the past !
year.
Calcium Carbide is q rock Like substance |
pE0dueed BY melting together lime and |
coke IN the electric furnace, It is not |
adected by any substance except water, |
and when brought in contact with water
i River OF rapidly the gas known 80
kcetyiene.
The Bulletin on Calcium Carbide and |
Aeatyiene can be had ires BY application,
seconIpanied by six cents postage, % the \
Department Of Chemistry, The Penney.
sania Saate College, State College, "a.