Technology

Description of the Process of Manufacturing Coal Gas

For the Lighting of Streets Houses, and Public BuildingsBy Friedrich Christian Accum

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In "Description of the Process of Manufacturing Coal Gas," Friedrich Christian Accum presents an exhaustive examination of the emerging technology of coal gas production during the early 19th century. Accum employs a meticulous, didactic scientific style, characterized by precise descriptions and detailed illustrations, which serves both as a practical guide and a manifesto for the gas industry. This pivotal text not only illuminates the chemical processes underlying this innovative method of energy production but also situates coal gas within the broader context of the Industrial Revolution, highlighting its potential impact on urbanization and public infrastructure. Friedrich Christian Accum, a noted chemist and pioneer in the field of gas lighting, was deeply influenced by the scientific advancements of his time. Having fled from Germany due to his liberal views, Accum settled in England, where he dedicated himself to illuminating practical applications of chemistry. His profound interest in the commercial utility of chemical processes and environmental implications of energy sources inspired him to document and promote this transformative technology, positioning him as a prominent advocate for coal gas in the burgeoning industrial landscape. This book is highly recommended for scholars, historians, and practitioners in the fields of chemistry, industrial engineering, and energy studies. By delving into Accum's seminal work, readers will gain crucial insights into the intersection of science and industry in the 19th century, offering a deeper appreciation of the historical significance of coal gas as a precursor to modern energy systems.

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Audiobook details

GenreTechnology

Length6 hrs 7 mins

Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateNov 5, 2021

LanguageEnglish

1PREFACE.

44Gas Holder with Governor or Regulating Guage at the Birmingham Gas Works.

2ADVERTISEMENT.

45Revolving Gas Holder at the Westminster Gas Works.

3PART I.: General Nature and Advantages of the art of procuring Light, by means of Carburetted Hydrogen, or Coal Gas.

46Rule for finding the capacity of a Revolving Gas Holder of given dimensions.

4PART II.: Outline of the new art of procuring light by means of coal gas, and Theory of the production of Gas Lights.

47Collapsing Gas Holder.

5PART III.: Classification of Pit-coal, and maximum quantity of gas, obtainable from different kinds of Coal.

48Rule for finding the capacity of a Collapsing Gas Holder of given dimensions.

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6PART IV.

49Reciprocating Safety Valve.

7Form and dimensions of the Retorts originally employed for manufacturing Coal Gas.

50PART X.

8Application of heat.—Flue Plan originally adopted.

51Gas Metre, or Self-acting Guage, which measures and registers, in the absence of the observer, the quantity of Gas produced in a given time, from any given quantity of coal, or consumed during a given period, by any number of burners or lamps.

9Report on a course of Operations, made with sets of 66, of 30, of 116, and of 64 retorts, worked on the Flue Plan.

52Description of the Gas Metre at the Royal Mint Gas Works.

10Process I.

53Rule for calculating the weight, which a Gas Metre of given dimensions, will raise to a given height, in a given time.

11Process II.

54Gas Holder Valve,—Siphon, or Water Reservoir.

12Oven plan lately adopted.

55PART XI.

13Description of the Retort Oven.

56Governor or Regulating Guage.

14PART V.

57Directions to Workmen for fixing the Governor and Gas Metre.[49]

15Difference in the quantity of Gas evolved during different periods of the distillatory process, and economical considerations resulting therefrom in the manufacture of Coal Gas.

58PART XII.

16Report on a course of Experiments made to ascertain the comparative Economy[17] of manufacturing every week, 857,667 cubic feet of gas, by means of Cylindrical Retorts variously worked.

59Gas Mains, and Branch Pipes.

17Process A.

60Weight of cast iron Gas Mains of different lengths and bores.

18Process B.

61PART XIII.

19Process C.

62Gas Lamps, and Burners.

20PART VI.

63Directions to Workmen, for adapting Gas Pipes to the interior of houses.

21Temperature best adapted for working Cylindrical Retorts.

64PART XIV.

22Annual Creditor and Debtor Account of manufacturing daily from 50,000 to 102,000 cubic feet of gas at the price which coal bears in the metropolis.—The operation being commenced with new Retorts, and the retorts being left in a fit working state.

65Illuminating power of Coal Gas, and quantity of Gas consumed in a given time, by different kinds of Burners, and Gas Lamps.

23Process I.

66Ventilation of Apartments lighted by Coal Gas.

24Process II.

67PART XV.

25Process A.

68Gas from Coal Tar.

26Process B.

69Gas from Oil.

27Comparative facility with which the decomposition of different species of Coal is effected.

70PART XVI.

28PART VII.

71Other products obtainable from Coal, namely:—Coal Tar—Pitch—Coal Oil—Ammoniacal Liquor, and conversion of the latter into Carbonate, and Muriate of Ammonia.

29Horizontal Rotary Retorts, lately brought into use for manufacturing coal gas.

72Coal Tar.

30Description of the Horizontal Rotary Retorts at the Royal Mint.[31]

73Coal Oil.

31Action and Management of the Horizontal Rotary Retort.

74Pitch.

32Advantages of the method of manufacturing Coal Gas by means of Horizontal Rotary Retorts.

75Manufacture of Carbonate of Ammonia from the Ammoniacal Liquor of Pit Coal.

33Directions to workmen, with regard to the management of Horizontal Rotary Retorts.

76Manufacture of Muriate of Ammonia from the Ammoniacal Liquor of Coal.

34PART VIII.

77DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

35Purifying Apparatus, or Lime Machine.

78INDEX.

36Lime Machine originally employed for the Purification of Coal Gas.

79LONDON PRICE LIST

37Lime Machine lately adopted.

80Cast iron Spigot and Faucit Pipes.

38Test Apparatus, for certifying the purity of coal gas, and the proper manner of working the Lime Machine.

81Cast iron Flanch Pipes.

39PART IX.

82Wrought iron Gas Tubes screwed and fitted, warranted to bear a pressure equal to a column of water 300 feet high.

40Gas Holder.

83Copper Tubes.

41Gas Holder as originally employed.

84Brazed sheet iron Tubes.

42Gas Holder with Governor, or Regulating Gauge, lately brought into use.

85Cost of laying cast iron Gas mains in London. To take up the ground, to fill in, but not to re-pave the ground, and to drive two and a half inches of lead into the joints of the pipes.

43Gas Holder with Governor or Regulating Guage at the Gas Works Chester.

86ESTIMATE OF A Gas Light Apparatus, Capable of producing every 24 hours, a light equal to 21,330 tallow candles, eight in the pound, burning for six hours.