Weekly journal-miner., 1909-02-24
TO FURNISH BETTER LIGh-
 AND AIR FOR MINERS

For several years acetylene has been used in miners lamps in France, Ger many and Belgium to a large and steadily increasing extent, until at present it is used almost exclusively in over 200 mines and by approximate ly 5O,OOO men. The light is satisfae- tory and saves nearly 50 per cent of the cost, giving more and better light. Mining engineers have been more or less familiar with this fact, but the in troduetion of acetylene into mines up to the last two years has been very slow in this country. Its use is now, however, coming to be recognized as an important advance, and it promises shortly to replace all other means of mine illumination, except in special cases. It is seldom that an improve men in quality or advantage is accom- panied by reduction in cost, but the paradox is a reality in the case of aeetylene..
 Candles, which are largely used throughout our western mines, remove seven times and kerosene five times as much oxygen as acetylene. The pro duets of combustion given off by can dies are 10 times and from kerosene g times as much as that given off by acetvlene. The difference is therefore enormous. The actual amount of illum- ination given by candles and kerosene is lessened by a very large percentage bv the smoke and mist which so rapid ly accumulate, whereas all the light given by acetylene reaches the point to be Illuminated without any inter ference whatever.
 It has been found in actual expe- rience that in entries which are GO to 70 feet ahead of the air, there is not the slightest particle of smoke from an aeetylene lamp and the entry IS just as clear at the end of a shift as it is at the beginning.
 An interesting thing about aeety- lene is the tenacity of the flame. It is not easily blown out, the rapid mo- tion of the miner will not cause it to flicker badly, and it burns brilliantly in an atmosphere so foul that candles fade and % out In fact, aeetylene will not deprive the miner of light un- iii the atmosphere is so bad it will not support life.
 For underground surveying and mine inspection, the use of acetylene IS ot great importance Maps and records escape the usual accompaniment Of grease and smudge. The acetylene flame is so small and clear that it af- fords an accurate point on which to sight instruments.
 Another use for acetylene in some what larger units is found where the rays are concentrated by a reflector, ;n which case brilliant illumination can be thrown into inaccessible places where distant bays, high backs. eaved plaees and other difficult and otherwise hidden parts of the mine can be ex- pIored with convenience and in ease of emergency without danger.
 Tn actual practice it has been found that 4 oz. of calcium carbide at 4 cents per pound will give nearly lO- candle power clear illumination with ont smoke for hours. One-half pound, or cents worth. will give the same the same illumination for 10 hours. Candles in many parts of the country,
 counting four candles to the lO-hour day. would cost cents per day. .Aeetvlene miners lamps are now
 freouentlv found in mines throughout the country, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois leading, though many otn- |. pr states are using the new light. The oreatest number used by any one con cern in it's mines is probably by the New Jersey Zine Company of New York. which has adopted acetylene IT, lumination for all its mines. The mum
 Der of miners lamps in use Tn the mines of this company is about 5000 . and it has been found in practical use that the saving is at least cents per . day for every miner. The whole meth . od of using aeetylene is so simple and the lamps now in practical use are SC satisfactory that the subject of better l Illumination in mines is worthy of tho T attention of every mine owner and en gineer.-Irou Age.
 n JAII, HOLDS FILLER e From Wednesday Daily.) ? C.t " Minor rhqrupF r-IUa obtain