THE GAS QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1323, 30 June 1883, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

A number of gentlemen interested in the gas question interviewed a Mr Ross, of Melbourne, yesterday afternoon, in Mr Adair’s office, for the . urpose of gaining information as to the best and most economical gas it would be advisable to manufacture for lighting OisborUe. Mr Ross represents a Melbourne firm who are working, with some modifications, Dixon’s Patent, which consists of producing gas from any oil products Mr Robb asserts that one tun of oil will produce an equal quantity of gas with three tons of coal ; one large oil gas light being equal to four coal gas lights ; but when the ordinary No. 0 gas burner is used, and which gives 2Jcandle power when coal gas is used, gives a 12 candle luminosity with oil gas. With Coal gas there is much condensation when it is put under pressure in the gasometer, and whilst in main and pipes, the results being large accumulations of tar, creosote, and water ; and in cold weather the water thus condensed freezes in the joints, causing explosions. With the oil gas there is no condensation or evaporation under any conditions. The plant required is quite as simple and nearly similar to that required for the production of coal gas. It is produced by a chemical combination of black oxide of manganese and a metalic solution of dissolved metal cuttings, mixed in certain proportions with various oils such as petroleum, or, in fact, any other liquid fatty matter, whilst in the retort. As a heat producing medium, the oil gas exceeds coal gas as 8 to 1 Mr F. J. Piesse was instructed to write for further particulars.