Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants / A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines

by Rodolphe Edgard Mathot

This apparatus is exceedingly simple and practical. It does not require the manipulation of a pump. The pressure of the mixture is read off on the barometer; the calorimeter is entirely immersed in the water of the

outer vessel, so that all corrections of doubtful accuracy are obviated. The method requires but a very slight correction for temperature. Air, alone or mingled with oxygen, or a mixture of air and oxygen, can be easily tested with.

Maintenance of Plants.—If it should be necessary to retain a consulting engineer to install an engine capable of filling all requirements, it is also necessary to select a careful attendant in order that the engine may be kept in good condition. It is a rather widespread belief that a gas-engine can be operated without any care or inspection. This belief is all the more prevalent because of the employment of street-gas engines, which, by reason of their simplicity of construction and regularity of fuel supply, often run for several hours, and even for an entire day, without any attention whatever. But this negligence, particularly in the case of engines driven from producers, is likely to produce disastrous results. Although engines of this type do not require constant inspection during operation, still they require some attention in order that the speed may be kept at a fixed number of revolutions. Moreover, the care of the engine, the cleaning of the valves and of the various parts which are likely to become dirty, and the examination and cleaning of pipes, should be accomplished with great care and at regular intervals. This task should be entrusted only to a man of intelligence. A common workman who knows nothing of the care with which the parts of an engine should be handled is likely to do more harm than good.

The factory owner who follows the instructions which have been given in this book will avoid most of the stoppages and the trouble incurred in engine and generator installations, and may count upon a steadiness of operation comparable with that of a steam-engine.

---

TEST OF A "STOCKPORT" GAS-ENGINE WITH
DOWSON PRESSURE GAS PLANT
Made by R. Mathot at the Works of the "Union Electrique"
Cie, Brussels, June 27, 1901
Piston Diameter: 151⁄2". Piston stroke, 22".
Normal number of revolutions, 210.
1.	Calorific value of the coal	12750 B.T.U.
2.	Nature and origin of fuel: Anthracite coal of Charleroi (Belgium).
3.	Cost of fuel per ton at the mine	$5.50
4.	Cost of fuel per ton at the plant	$6.39
5.	Fuel consumption per hour in the generator	46.3 lbs.
6.	Fuel consumption per hour in the boiler	7 lbs.
7.	Proportion of ash in the coal	6 per cent.
8.	Weight of steam at 66 lbs. generated per hour	42.7 lbs.
9.	Average brake horse-power	53 B.H.P.
10.	Fuel consumption for gas per B.H.P. per hour	0.875 lbs.
11.	Fuel consumption for steam per B.H.P. per hour	0.133 lbs.
12.	Total fuel consumption	1.008 lbs.
13.	Steam consumption at 66 lbs. pressure	0.81 lbs.
14.	Gas pressure at the engine	13⁄8 inches
15.	Weight of water per B.H.P. per hour forcooling the cylinder entering at 68° F. and leaving at 105° F.	51.5 lbs.
16.	Corresponding heat absorbed in cooling	1970 B.T.U.
17.	Average initial explosive pressure on piston	324 lbs.
18.	Average pressure on piston per square inch	72 lbs.
19.	Average indicated horse-power with 85 per cent. misses	92.5 I.H.P.
20.	Corresponding mechanical efficiency	84 per cent.
21.	Corresponding electric load	31.950 K.W.
22.	Cost of B.H.P. per hour in anthracite	$0.0029
23.	Cost of kilowatt per hour in anthracite	$0.0048
24.	Electric power generated per B.H.P.	602.8 W.
25.	Thermal efficiency at 53 B.H.P. with 85 per cent. explosions	18.5 per cent.
TEST OF A 20 H.P. WINTERTHUR ENGINE
With Winterthur Suction-Producer made by R. Mathot
at Winterthur, June 4 and 5, 1902
DATA OF TESTS WITH ILLUMINATING GAS AND WITH FUEL GAS
Dimensions of Winterthur Engine—Piston diameter: 103⁄8". Stroke:167⁄8". Compression: 177 pounds per square inch. Regulation:hit and miss. Ignition: electro-magnetic. Fly-wheel: normal,with external bearing. Lubrication of piston: with oil-pump.Of main bearings, with rings (as in dynamos).
FULL LOAD WITH STREET-GAS
1.	Number of revolutions per minute	200
2.	Corresponding number of explosions	96 per cent.
3.	Net load on brake	120 lbs.
4.	Corresponding effective power	22 B.H.P.
5.	Mean initial explosive pressure on piston per square inch	455 lbs.
6.	Average pressure on piston per square inch	78 lbs.
7.	Gas consumption per B.H.P. at 24° C. and 721 mm. mean pressure	15.5 cubic feet
8.	Gas consumption per B.H.P. reduced to 0° C. and 760 mm. mean pressure	13.5 cubic feet
HALF LOAD WITH STREET-GAS
9.	Number of revolutions per minute	204
10.	Corresponding number of explosions	60 per cent.
11.	Net load on brake	60 lbs.
12.	Corresponding effective power	11.6 B.H.P.
13.	Gas consumption per B.H.P. per hour at 24° C.
	and 721 mm. mean pressure.	21 cubic feet
14.	Gas consumption per B.H.P. per hour at 0° C.and 760 mm. mean pressure.	18.3 cubic feet
RUNNING WITH NO LOAD WITH STREET-GAS
15.	Number of revolutions per minute	206
16.	Corresponding number of explosions	22 per cent.
17.	Total gas consumption per hour at 24° C.and 721 mm. mean pressure.	106 cubic feet
18.	Maximum calorific power of gas per cubic foot	598 B.T.U.
19.	Thermal efficiency with 96 per cent. explosions	31 per cent.
20.	Mechanical efficiency with 96 per cent. explosions	82 per cent.
21.	Temperature of water at the jacket-inlet	75 degs. F.
22.	Temperature of water at the jacket-outlet	130 degs. F.
23.	Compression per square inch on piston surface	178 lbs.
24.	Pressure after expansion	37 lbs.
TEST OF WINTERTHUR PLANT WITH PRODUCER-GAS
1.	Nature of fuel. Belgian anthracite, "Bonne Esperance et Batterie"; size,	3⁄4 inch.
2.	Chemical composition: Carbon, 86.5 per cent.; hydrogen, 3.5 per cent.; oxygen and nitrogen, 4.65 per cent.; ash, 5.35 per cent.
3.	Calorific value per pound of coal	14200 B.T.U.
4.	Net calorific value per pound of fuel	15050 B.T.U.
5.	Price of anthracite delivered at the plant	$3.50 per ton
6.	Number of revolutions of engine per minute	200
7.	Corresponding number of explosions	91 per cent.
8.	Load on brake	106 lbs.
9.	Corresponding effective horse-power	20.2 B.H.P.
10.	Fuel consumption at the generator per hour	16.4 lbs.
11.	Fuel consumed per B.H.P. per hour	0.81 lbs.
12.	Proportion of ash resulting from the tests	6 per cent.
13.	Mean initial explosive pressure per square inch	419.5 lbs.
14.	Average pressure on piston per square inch	72.5 lbs.
15.	Indicated horse-power with 91 per cent. explosions	25.4 I.H.P.
16.	Mechanical efficiency	79 per cent.
17.	Thermal efficiency at the producer	22 per cent.
18.	Water consumption per hour in the scrubber	66 gals.
19.	Cost per B.H.P. per hour in anthracite	62 gals.
TEST OF A 60 B.H.P. GAS-ENGINE, TYPE G 9, WITHA SUCTION-GAS PLANT OF THE GASMOTORENFABRIK DEUTZ
(Made at Cologne, March 15, 1904, by R. Mathot.)
DATA OF THE TESTS
Diameter of Piston = 16.5". Piston Stroke = 18.9"
FULL LOAD
1.	Average number of revolutions per minute	188.66
2.	Corresponding effective work	65.11 B.H.P.
3.	Average compression per square inch	176 lbs.
4.	Average initial explosive pressure per square inch	397 lbs.
5.	Average final expansion pressure	25 lbs.
6.	Vacuum at suction	4.4 lbs.
7.	Average pressure on piston	81 lbs.
8.	Corresponding indicated horse-power	77 I.H.P.
FUEL
9.	Nature of fuel: Anthracite coal 0.4" to 0.8"
10.	Origin: Coalpit of Zeihe, Morsbach at Aix-la-Chapelle.
11.	Chemical composition of coal:
	Carbon	83.22%
	Hydrogen	3.31%
	Nitrogen and Oxygen	3.01%
	Sulphur	0.44%
	Ash	7.33%
	Water	2.69%
12.	Calorific value.	13650 B.T.U.
GAS
13.	Chemical composition of gas:
Carbonic acid	6.60%
Oxygen	0.30%
Hydrogen	18.90%
Methane	0.57%
Carbon monoxide	24.30%
Nitrogen	49.33%
14.	Calorific value of gas, combination water, at 59° F. constantvolume reduced to 32° F. and atmospheric pressure	140 B.T.U.
TEMPERATURES
Engine
15.	Cooling water at the inlet of the cylinder-head	55.4 deg. F.
	Temperature at the outlet	109.5 deg. F.
16.	Temperature at outlet of cylinder	127.5 deg. F.
Gas-Generator
17.	Temperature of water in the vaporizer	158.3 deg. F.
EFFICIENCIES AND CONSUMPTION
18.	Mechanical efficiency	84.6%
19.	Gross consumption of coal per B.H.P. per hour	0.86 lbs
20.	Thermal efficiency in proportion to the effective workand the gross consumption of coal in the gas-generator	24.3%
HALF LOAD
WORK
1.	Average number of revolutions per minute	195.5
2.	Corresponding effective work	33.85 B.H.P.
3.	Corresponding average compression	125 lbs.
4.	Average initial explosive pressure	258 lbs.
5.	Average final expansion	18 lbs.
6.	Vacuum at suction	6.8 lbs.
7.	Average mean pressure on piston	46.2 lbs.
8.	Corresponding indicated power	45. I.H.P.
9.	Speed variation between full and half load	3.5%
CONSUMPTION
10.	Gross consumption of coal per B.H.P. per hour	1.155 lbs.
RUNNING WITH NO LOAD
1.	Average number of revolutions per minute	199
2.	Minimum corresponding compression	95.55 lbs.
3.	Average initial explosive pressure	220 lbs.
4.	Average final expansion	0 lbs.
5.	Vacuum at suction	8.8 lbs.
6.	Average pressure on piston	11.2 lbs.
7.	Corresponding indicated horse-power.	11 I.H.P.
8.	Speed variation between full load and no load	5.2%
TEST OF A GAS PLANT OF A FOUR-CYCLE DOUBLE-ACTINGENGINE OF 200 H.P. AND A SUCTION-PRODUCERIN THE WORKS OF THE GASMOTORENFABRIK DEUTZ, COLOGNE
March 14 and 15, 1904, by Messrs. A. Witz, R. Mathot, and deHerbais
DATA OF THE TESTS
Piston Diameter: 211⁄4". Stroke: 279⁄16". Diameter of Piston-Rods:front, 43⁄4"; rear, 45⁄16"
ENGINE
Full Load Tests
1.	Average number of revolutions per minute	151.29 and 150.20
2.	Corresponding effective load	214.22 B.H.P.and 222.83 B.H.P.
3.	Duration of the tests	3 hours and 10 hours
4.	Average temperature of water after cooling the piston	117.5 deg. F.
5.	Average temperature of water after cooling the cylinder and valve-seats	135 deg. F.
6.	Water consumption per hour for cooling the piston	39 gal.
PRODUCER
7.	Nature and Origin of Fuel: Anthracite coal"Bonne-Esperance et Batterie" Herstal, Belgium.
8.	Calorific value of fuel	14650 B.T.U.
9.	Consumption of fuel per hour (plus 53 lbs.on the night of the 14th for keeping the generator fired during 14 hours, theengine being stopped)	199 lbs.-160 lbs.
10.	Water consumption per hour in the vaporiser	14.2 gals.
11.	Water consumption per hour in the scrubbers	318 gals.
12.	Average temperature of gas at the outlet of the generator	558 deg. F.
13.	Average temperature of gas at the outlet of the scrubbers	62.5 deg. F.
EFFICIENCIES
14.	Gross consumption of coal per B.H.P. per hour	0.927 lbs.-0.720 lbs.
15.	Consumption of coal per B.H.P. after deduction of the water	0.907 lbs.-0.705 lbs.
16.	Thermal efficiency relating to theeffective H.P. and to the dry coal consumed in the generator	19%-24.4%
17.	Water consumption per B.H.P. hour:
	For the cylinder, stuffing-boxes and valve-seat jackets	4.65 gals.
	For the piston and piston-rods	1.75 gals.
	For the vaporizer	0.0655 gals.
	For washing the gas in the scrubbers	1.42 gals.
18.	Water converted in steam per lb. consumed in the generator	0.193 gals.

---

INDEX

A Adjustment of gas-engine, [126] Adjustment of moving parts, imperfect, [146] Admission-valve, binding of, [152] Admission, variable, [55], [56] Air-blast, [180] Air-chest, [82] Air, displacement of, [92] Air, exclusion of, in producers, [207] Air, filtration of, [82] Air-heater, Winterthur, [236] Air-heaters, [238] Air-pipe, [82] Air-pipe, location of, [83] Air-pump, [266] Air, regulation of supply, [82] Air suction, [81] Air suction, resistance to, [82] Air supply of producer, [225] Air-valve, control by engine, [25] Air vibration, [92] Alcohol as engine fuel, [264] Anthracite, consumption of, in producers, [200] Anthracite in producers, [190], [201] Anti-pulsators, [77] Anti-pulsators, disconnection of, in stopping engine, [132] Anti-pulsators, precautions to be taken with, [79] Anti-vibratory substances, [89] Ash-pit, [214], [217] Ash-pit, Bollinckx, [220] Ash-pit, cleaning of, [261] Ash-pit, Deutz, [220] Ash-pit, door of, [220] Ash-pit, Wiedenfeld, [220] Asphyxiation, [169] Atomizer of oil-engines, [265] B Back firing, [82], [131] Back pressure to exhaust, [151] Bags, arrangement of, [80] Bags, capacity of, [79] Bags, precautions to be taken with, [79] Bags, rubber, [77] Bark as producer fuel, [193] Batteries for ignition, [31] Bearings, adjustability of, [5] Bearings, adjustment of, [44] Bearings, care of, [123] Bearings, lubrication of, [117] Bearings, material of, [51] Bearings of fly-wheels, [92] Bearings, overheated, [146] Bearings, over-lubricated, [150] Bearings, position of, [44] Bell, gas-holder, [187] Bell, Pintsch, [248] Bell, volume of, [187] Belts, prevention of adhesion by oil, [120] Bénier, E., [199] Benzin as engine fuel, [264] Binding, [147] Blast in producers, [180], [193], [225] Blower, Koerting, [181] Blower, Root, [182], [188] Blowers for producers, [181] Blowing-generators, [169] Bolts of foundation, [91] Bomb, Witz, [284], [292] Boughs for coolers, [108] Box, charging, [221] Box, double closure for charging, [222] Box, removable charging, [225] Brake tests, [284] Branch pipes, minimum diameter of, [81] Bricks for foundation, [91] Brushes, lifting of, when dynamo-engine is stopped, [132] Brush, purifying, [250] Burner of hot tube, how ignited, [128] Burner, regulation of fixed, [144] Bushings, care of, [123] Bushings, fusion of, [147] Bushings (see also Bearings)