Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-04

remedy for this situation was, of
course, to be found in q non.infiamma-
BILE gas, light enough to replace hydro
gen as lifting force; helium Is the
only gas knowr to have these qualities.
The use Of helinm has still other ad-
vantageS It diffuses through . fabric
at about three-quarters the rate OF
hydrogen; IT'S non fnfammability
makes it possible to place the engines
in the framework of the dirigible. thus
getting a direct drive, giving greater
control Of the craft. and much in
creased speed for any given horse
power.
When the United States entered the
war. helium for use in dirigibles was
discussed among Bureau of Mines Of
ficials, and the matter was presented to
the Army and Navy Air Services. These
services enthusiastically approved the
proposition. and allotments of money
were made from the Army and Navy
appropriations to carry, it forward.
Three experimental plants were con-
structed in Texas, under the direction
Of the Bureau OF Mines. two at Fort
Worth. for economic reasons: one plant
used the Linde system Of liQuefaction,
the other the Claude system. and the
supply Of gas was piped to the plants
from Petrolia, Texas. Analysis had
showed that this gas contained $50
hel:um. Another plant was later con-
structed at Petrolia, near the gas
wells, and use was made OF a new
IF
Jeffries-Norton process. All three
plants produced helium. but the Linde
plant proved the most efficient, and II
was decided to construct, under the
coenzance of the Navy, a much en-
larged plant for obtaining helium in
greater quantities. The construction
of this plant was started in October.
1918; it was completed in December.
1890, and was operated during part Of
1891. 1t produced altogether about
100000 cubic feet of helium, which,
with the helium obtained at the small
er plants during the experimental pc
Rod, makes available at the present
time a total of about 100000 cubic
feet of helium over 900 in purity.
Most of the gas is around $50 grade.
Before the completion Of the large
plant, the two experimental plants at
Fort Worth were shut down and dis
mantled The plant at Petrolla. Texas.
was continued, however until July,
1871, on a purely experimental basis.
1t was then shut down. and at the
present time is being kept in a standby
condition.
The method of operation in all of
these plants is, in general, the same.
The object is to liquefy all elements
making up the natural gas except the
herium, which does not liquefy at the
temperature used. After liquefaction
of all other constituents in the gas the
heium can be pumped off.
No production of helium is now in
progress, but funds will probably be
furnished by Congress to run the large
plant at Fort Worth practically during
the whole of reXt year Under such
conditions, from eight to 10 million
cubic feet of Lclium may be obtained
Two helium republication plants
have been constructed by the Army
and the Bureau of Mines is co-operat-
equipment. One of these is at Langley
Fled, Va. The other republication
unit has been installed on two railroad
cars, which can be moved from place
to Place as needed.
Complete equipment for conducting
research at low temperatures. the Cry
ogenic Laboratory of the Bureau of |
Mines, is located at Washington. |
Helium can probably be produced in |
this plant for ,0c cubic foot, but it is |
believed that the cost can, ultimately, |
be reduced to &c and perhaps to &c
The Governments entire helium pro- |,
grim is now carried on under the gem |
erai authority of the Army and Navy |
Hciium Board, consisting of a repreG |
ser tative. each. of the Army and Navy. |
together with a delegate from the Blu i
reau of Mines.
The story of helium is given in Sc |
rial 1858, just issued by the Bureau of /
Mines