Tables are included, for the first time (it is believed) in
English publications, of the proper sizes of mains and service-pipes for
delivering acetylene at different effective pressures, which, it is
hoped, will prove of use to those concerned in the installation of
acetylene lighting systems.
_June_ 1903
NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The revision of this work for a new edition was already far advanced when
it was interrupted by the sudden death on April 30, 1908, of Mr. F. H.
Leeds. The revision was thereafter continued single-handed, with the help
of very full notes which Mr. Leeds had prepared, by the undersigned. It
had been agreed prior to Mr. Leeds' death that it would add to the
utility of the work if descriptions of a number of representative
acetylene generators were given in an Appendix, such as that which now
appears at the conclusion of this volume. Thanks are due to the numerous
firms and individuals who have assisted by supplying information for use
in this Appendix.
W. J. ATKINSON BUTTERFIELD
WESTMINSTER
_August 1909_
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY--THE COST AND ADVANTAGES OF ACETYLENE LIGHTING
Intrinsic advantages
Hygienic advantages
Acetylene and paraffin oil
Blackened ceilings
Cost of acetylene lighting
Cost of acetylene and coal-gas
Cost of acetylene and electric lighting
Cost of acetylene and paraffin oil
Cost of acetylene and air-gas
Cost of acetylene and candles
Tabular statement of costs (_to face_)
Illuminating power and effect
CHAPTER II
THE PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE REACTION BETWEEN CARBIDE AND WATER
Nature of calcium carbide
Storage of calcium carbide
Fire risks of acetylene lighting
Purchase of carbide
Quality and sizes of carbide
Treated and scented carbide
Reaction between carbide and water
chemical nature
heat evolved
difference between heat and temperature
amount of heat evolved
effect of heat on process of generation
Reaction:
effects of heat
effect of heat on the chemical reaction
effects of heat on the acetylene
effects of heat on the carbide
Colour of spent carbide
Maximum attainable temperatures
Soft solder in generators
Reactions at low temperatures
Reactions at high temperatures
Pressure in generators
CHAPTER III
THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ACETYLENE GENERATION ACETYLENE GENERATING
APPARATUS
Automatic and non-automatic generators
Control of the chemical reaction
Non-automatic carbide-to-water generators
Non-automatic water-to-carbide generators
Automatic devices
Displacement gasholders
Action of water-to-carbide generators
Action of carbide-to-water generators
Use of oil in generator
Rising gasholder
Deterioration of acetylene on storage
Freezing and its avoidance
Corrosion in apparatus
Isolation of holder from generator
Water-seals
Vent pipes and safety valve
Frothing in generator
Dry process of generation
Artificial lighting of generator sheds
CHAPTER IV
THE SELECTION OF AN ACETYLENE GENERATOR
Points to be observed
Recommendations of Home Office Committee
British and Foreign regulations for the construction and installation of
acetylene generating plant
CHAPTER V
THE TREATMENT OF ACETYLENE AFTER GENERATION
Impurities in calcium carbide
Impurities of acetylene
Removal of moisture
Generator impurities in acetylene
Filters
Carbide impurities in acetylene
Washers
Reasons for purification
Necessary extent of purification
Quantity of impurities in acetylene
Purifying materials
Bleaching powder
Heratol, frankoline, acagine, and puratylene
Efficiency of purifying material
Minor reagent
Method of a gas purifier
Methods of determining exhaustion of purifying material
Regulations for purification
Drying
Position of purifier
Filtration
General arrangement of plans
Generator residues
Disposal of residue
CHAPTER VI
THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ACETYLENE
Physical properties
Leakage
Heat of combustion
Explosive limits
Range of explosibility
Solubility in liquids
Toxicity
Endothermic nature
Polymerisation
Heats of formation and combustion
Colour of flame
Radiant efficiency
Chemical properties
Reactions with copper
CHAPTER VII
MAINS AND SERVICE-PIPES--SUBSIDIARY APPARATUS
Meters
Governors
Gasholder pressure
Pressure-gauges
Dimensions of mains and pipes
Velocity of flow in pipes
Service-pipes and mains
Leakage
Pipes and fittings
Laying mains
Expelling air from pipes
Tables of pipes and mains
CHAPTER VIII
COMBUSTION OF ACETYLENE IN LUMINOUS BURNERS--THEIR DISPOSITION
Nature of luminous flames
Illuminating power
Early burners
Injector and twin-flame burners
Illuminating power of self-luminous burners
Glassware for burners
CHAPTER IX
INCANDESCENT BURNERS--HEATING APPARATUS--MOTORS--AUTOGENOUS SOLDERING
Merits of incandescent lighting
Conditions for incandescent lighting
Illuminating power of incandescent burners
Durability of mantles
Typical incandescent burners
Acetylene for heating and cooking
Acetylene motors
Blowpipes
Autogenous soldering and welding
CHAPTER X
CARBURETTED ACETYLENE
Carburetted acetylene
Illuminating power of carburetted acetylene
Carburetted acetylene for "power"
CHAPTER XI
COMPRESSED AND DISSOLVED ACETYLENE--MIXTURES WITH OTHER GASES
Compression
Dissolved acetylene
Solution in acetone
Liquefied acetylene
Dilution with carbon dioxide
Dilution with air
Mixed carbides
Dilution with, methane and hydrogen
Self-inflammable acetylene
Enrichment with acetylene
Partial pressure
Acetylene-oil-gas
CHAPTER XII
SUNDRY USES
Destruction of noxious moths
Destruction of phylloxera and mildew
Manufacture of lampblack
Production of tetrachlorethane
Utilisation of residues
Sundry uses for the gas
CHAPTER XIII
PORTABLE ACETYLENE LAMPS AND PLANT
Table and vehicular lamps
Flare lamps
Cartridges of carbide
Cycle-lamp burners
Railway lighting
CHAPTER XIV
VALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF CARBIDE
Regulations of British Acetylene Association
Regulations oL German Acetylene Association
Regulations of Austrian Acetylene Association
Sampling carbide
Yield of gas from small carbide
Correction of volumes for temperature and pressure
Estimation of impurities
Tabular numbers
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTIONS OP GENERATORS
America: Canada
America: United States
Austria-Hungary
Belgium
France
Germany
Great Britain and Ireland
INDEX
INDEX TO APPENDIX
ACETYLENE
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY--THE COST AND ADVANTAGES OF ACETYLENE LIGHTING
Acetylene is a gas [Footnote: For this reason the expression, "acetylene
gas," which is frequently met with, would be objectionable on the ground
of tautology, even if it were not grammatically and technically
incorrect.
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