Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

AslA- A%CdIy anu LHo IadSlSI uGCHdEl1C ! MT. Naples impressed us as being a man who is competent and who has initiative utility properties to put men on the monthly payroll which method cbyi- ates the tendency Of men making re- pairs to drag out the work and there by obtain overtime At Norwich. we understand that while the men are pal dextra for overtime. the depart n1ent does not deduct from their wages the time which they are late or sick. morning we observed the four gas pipe ftterc hanging around and upon in- quiry we were informed they were waiting for the fifth filter who is the s.45 a. m. shortly after which the five filters started out for their days days work. We understand that while such circumstance is not regular it men are employed by the hour and paid overtime when they work extra, they should obviously receive pay only for the time that they work dur ing. the regular period.
 Comments on the Operation of the
 Electric Plant.
 Coal Is shoveled by hand into an open bin from the railway cars on the adjacent siding. We understand of late a considerable number of cars which bring both the gas and steam coal are Of the hopper type and it is consequently difficult to reclaim all of the coal at the bottom of the hoppers. We understand the department is now paying 20 cents per ton, for unloa ding coal: that the price formerly paid is 15 cents and that this work is award cd by contract.
 The department has experienced diff ficulty in obtaining gas sud stean, coal notwithstanding yearly contract vas entered into for the supply of which and the department has conse- quentIy been obliged to go into the open market and buy coal at exceed ingly high prices. This has been largely due to the shortage of coal cars and a number of other gas pro faculties.
 With the installation of proper coal handling apparatus for the electric plant an dths gas plant, the coal could be unloaded at less than half the present cost after paying for in- terest and depreciation on such coal handling apparatus.
 One material cause of the present station is due to ths SOw steam pres sure at which the steam turbines are operated. The maximum steam pres sure permissible to be carried by the two Babcock & Wilcox boilers is 125 pounds. One of these boilers was recently removed an done Is now be- ing disrnanteled. The maximum steam pressure permissible to be car ried on the two remaining boilers, one Heine boiler and one Altman Taylor boiler, is 40 pounds. We understand the isurance on these boilers was formerly carried by the Maryland Cas- ualty company which company gave permission to carry 150 pounds on both the Heine boiler and the Ait man Taylor boiler, and that this in- surance was recently shifted to the Hartford company. which company has allowed but 14o pounds pressure. The two new boilers which have been purchased and are about to be install led will operate at 1S0 pounds pres sure, which will materially better the operating conditions. Comments on Operation of Gas Plant
 The water gas set was not cleaned | prior to. January, 1917. with the re- suit that the checker brick had to be | entirely renewed and furthermore an 1 increased amount of oil was necessary | to operate the apparatus in that con dition. This set should be cleaned | once each three months.
 The roof of the building over the | gas retorts has numerous holes with the result thot when 1t rains the wa | ter leaks down on the threats and doors of the idle retorts and rusts i them out, with the result that in m anu featuring the coal gas there is l leakage around the throats and doors, 1 consequently the majority of the | threats and doors must be renewed l before economical operation can be | obtained. A drain in the retort house | is open and water impregnated with | ammonia trickles down in front of | the east retort and washes down in | the ash pit This inpregnated water | shoes and clothes Of attendants fir | ing the retorts but it rapidly eats !. away structural steel supports. etc.
 From the departments records the | gas unaccounted for has been as fol- | lows:
 Nine months ending April 30. 1915, ] 13 per cent; F months ending April l 30, 1916. 1855 per cent: 12 months l
 The great bulk of the gas unac- counted for is usually caused by l leakage in the gas mains of the dis | tribution system It is our under i ed at the departments office it is | sometimes several days before steps | are taken to repair the same. Not 1 withstanding the fact that the leak 1 age for the past twelve months is | greater, about 50 per cent, that the 1 leakage of the preceding twelve 1 months, no one seems to have been i aware of the fact and we have been | have been taken to reduce this leak 1 age, and this in view of the fact that l the cost or fuel and oil Is now almost | double the normal price and the cost ! of manufacturing gas being material 1 ly greater. From the table of rates, l etc, of the gas plants of Connecticut | it will be observed no gas property in | the state has as high a percentage | of gas unaccounted for as the Nor~ l wien plant for the past twelve months |
 The carbon which accuu1ulates in | side the gas retorts is very pure | type of carbon and as a by product 1 commands a high price; There is: 2 | consider ble amount of this carbon | which has accumulated at. the Nor | wich plant, some of 1t is strewn over | the ground and without doubt some | of 1t has been lost. We observed one | piece. probably 75 pounds in weight, i half submerged in the river. We un- | derstand a contract has recently been | made to sell this carbon now, at the | plant for $50 per ton.
 There are leaks in the small steam pipes well as other repairs to | which the master mechanic should |