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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]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
[a]CHAPTER X]
CARBURETTED ACETYLENE
Carburetted acetylene
Illuminating power of carburetted acetylene
Carburetted acetylene for "power"
[a]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
[a]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
[a]CHAPTER XIII]
PORTABLE ACETYLENE LAMPS AND PLANT
Table and vehicular lamps
Flare lamps
Cartridges of carbide
Cycle-lamp burners
Railway lighting
[a]CHAPTER XIV]
VALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF CARBIDE
Regulations of British Acetylene Association
Regulations o£ 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
[a]APPENDIX]
DESCRIPTIONS OP GENERATORS
America: Canada
America: United States
Austria-Hungary
Belgium
France
Germany
Great Britain and Ireland
[a]INDEX]
[a]INDEX TO APPENDIX]