“DREADNOUGHT” GAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2685, 15 December 1909, Page 2

“DREADNOUGHT” GAS.

REMARKABLE INVENTION. HOW THE GAS IS GENERATED

AND ITS COST

The question of lighting—gas v. electricity—has long been a problem, and each of these methods has its warm advocates. In recent vear s many improved lamps, burners, etc., have been placed on the market, but one of the latest, if not the latest, inventions is the patent “Dreadnought'’ petrol gas, which bids fair to become a most popular illuminant. The patentees of the light are two gentlemen of Hawke’s Bay, Messrs Chambers and Booth, and the light has been most successfully installed in the town of Waipukurau, H. 8., and, in all probability, will be tried in Wairoa in the near future. The new gas appears to be a truly remarkable invention, and. if all that is claimed for it be true, is almost certain to revolutionize the existing methods of lighting. At present tests are being carried 0.-. t with the gas in Sydney, N.S.W. In view of the proposal for the installation of an electric light system in Gisborne, a description of the new invention and its manufacture may prove of interest. The generating plant consists of a generator 3 x 2 x 2ft., to which is connected a 4rjin. Buffalo fan, running at about 5000 revolutions per minute and driven by a 2 B.H.P. Fail-bank engine'. By this means sufficient air is driven through the generator, and the .same time mixed with the British Imperial Oil Co.’s Naptha at a pressure sufficient to generate the necessary gas, the quality of which is ascertained by means”of a gauge and test light, which are kept in continuous use during the manufacturing of the gas. The generator i,s partly enclosed by a water jacket, which has a continuous circulation or hot water, by means of gravitation, the gas bei.rg generated under a certain temperature which’ greatly facilitates a through mixture of the oxygen and naptha. The circulating water is heated by means of an ordinary Primus lamp, which is' only kept burning ’during the manufacture ot the gas that is" to supply the gasometer. The gasometer in use by tbe patenters lias a capacity of 10,000 cubic feet, and this. ms filled in the short j time of 30 minutes, during which time two tins of naptha are consumed. The plant and its capabilities were (riven official tests by the members of the Waipukurau Town Board, who certified to the following figures as a result : —Test N. 1, Aug. 12th., 1909. Naptha Consumed 1 gallon Landed Cost of Naptha Is Did Gas Manufactured 1,193 cubic feet. —Test No. 2. Naptha Consumed . 61 gallons. Landed Cost of Naptha 11s Bd. • Gas Manufactured 7,755 cubic feet Time Occupied 24min. 27sec. Feet per gallon 1,193. Feet per,-Minute 310. Tlie above f figures show that the plant is not only inexpensive in its first'cost, but also inexpensive in maintenance,and that light and fuel can be supplied at a reasonable cost to the consumer. By those who have seen it the effect of the light at night is said to be brilliant and yet soft to the eyesight. It is non-expiosive and no objections have • been raised as regards insurance. On account of the high percentage cf oxygen the gas is' non-corrosive in the pipes; it will give off sufficient heat to fuse copper wire, 'find can therefore be made useful for cooking purposes, and can in addition be used with any class of burner. The gas. is practically without smell and has rio injurious effects on clothing, an important matter in drapery establishments, etc. It can be manufactured readily either by band or by power, and therefore is adaptable to both thp large and small consumer. The actual cost to consumers is small; as will be seen by reference to the following figures supplied by tbe Secretary of tbe Waipukurau Town Board:— ' # ’ y • Gas per 1000 cubic feet .... ss.' For over 5000 feet per month 4s 6d For Cooking purposes per 1000 ft 3s 6d In Waipukurau a billiard, room and hairdressing saloon which? are fitted •with 6 Dreadnought lights,' burning continuously from'6 p.m. to 10.30 P-m-. are let for the average cost of £1 9s 3d , per month, and the cost per month of lighting two private houses, each with eight lights,: works out at from; 4s 6d to 5s 6d per month. Coming into larger establishments the cost of lighting the. Waipukurau

hospital 'with 40 lights has been as followsA’: t

The average cost of lighting the Masberton hospital during the winter months, ‘ with .40 lights burning coal gas, is given at £2O per month. Great interest has been taken in the “Dreadnought” invention, and experts from many parts of the Dominion have visited Waipukurau to investigate for themselves. Many of them have expressed the opinion that it’ is the most effective method of lighting that has come under their notice either in Australia or New Zealand. The amount of gas required can be generated quickly and practically, at a small cost, and in the ease of a small consumer there is no trouble, nor is there any necessity for the installation of an engine, as a few moments work by hand will give a consumer sufficient gas for a nights use. Those persons using the gas speak most highly in praise of its quality and its merit also, on the score ox economy, and it has been predicted by more than one authority that ere long, the leading method of lighting will be by means of the Dreadnought petrol gas.

June ' : .. ... ;'£46 0 July ... . M 17 3 August . ... . £4 4 S September £3 13 5 October .. ... £2 19 5