THE PATENT KOH-I-NOOR GAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6497, 8 December 1882, Page 4

THE PATENT KOH-I-NOOR GAS.

The new gas which is being introduced by Messrs Rogers Brothers, engineers, of Watford, has quito taken the gas-consuming world by surprise. The investors claim that "they can make gas of a. higher.illuminating power and with a less percentage of lobs than by another oil-gas apparatus in existence, and when it is known that 100 cubic feet of 70 candle' gas, or 500 cubic feet of 14-candle gas {i.e., the ordinary coal-gas)," can be generated from a single gallon of oil, which can De purchased for about lid, we think our readers will agree with us . that the introducers of the new process have not overstated their case. The workshops and business premises are illuminated with the gas, and the comparison between this new and the ordinary town gas is moat striking. The manager of tho larger works where the process has been adopted states that the gas ib mnch less expensive and gives a much better light. I have only one' retort making'the gas required for tho mill and two houses; with the coal-gas I require two retorts, working night and day. So far as I can see, it is a great success. This new gas is applicable to gas-engines, gas-stoves, and all the.usos to which' the ordinary coal-gas has lately been so abundantly applied. One great point in its favour is its purity, as it contains none of tho deleterious products so plentiful in coal-gas — viz., carbonic acid and sulphuretted hydrogen ; the result being that pictures, gilding, books, and plants are not in anyway injured by Us contact. There is practically no smell during the process of manufacture, and none whatever during its burning (although art escape of gas is easily detected), and a much softer and white light is emitted than from coal-gas. It has also this advantage, among others: that alt existing gasometers, gas-pipes, and gas-chande-liers can bo utilised; the only change required . being that of burners, which are supplied by the manufacturers for Id each, this trifling cost, therefore, not being worth consideration. In tho case of existing gasworks, tho new Koh-i-noor retort can be substituted for the old gas retort at a comparatively trilling cost, and no further alteration of the plant is required. No coal is required to be used, and there is, therefore, no smoke; no lime nor charcoal, nor other purifying media, except water, is necessary, thus dispensing with tho chief source of trouble and annoyance in gasworks. As the illnminating power is five times that of coalgas, the plant need only take up one-fifth of the space ; or if gas be generated under existing circumstances every, day, it may be generated only about once a week undor this new process, as it will bo apparent that 1600 cubic foet of the Koh-i-noor gas will go as far as 3000 feet of the ordinary eoaVgas, - Its simplicity is another point in its .favour, as any gardener or person of average intelligence may be entrusted with the supervision of the generating process after a short course o£ instruction, and there is no fear of explosion, as non-inflammable oils only aye used in the process. It is claimed that the wonderfully low price at which this gas can be generated is its best and most attractive feature, the price of an equivalent of 1000 cubic feet of 14-candle gas Ipeing only about Is 9d when generated in quantities. . . The steam (which is used at a very low pressure) is turned into the injectors, and forces' the oil through a contracted nozzle into the retorts, when the oil is vaponrised and converted into a fixed and permanent gas, and after simply passing through water, is ready for use.—Sanitary Record, October, 1882.

The Decennial Missionary; Conference in India this mouth will be an important event. The following topics will bo among those disoussed : " Preaching to the Heathen," " Work Ainonj? the Jlohamuiedanß," " Work Among English-speakinK Natives," " Woman's Work in the Indian Mission Field," " Work Among the Aborigines aud liower Castes," " Tliel Jross as a Missionary Agency." Chinese morchants mot in conference a feu* weeks ago in London at a place called the Wall Yee Toii£, otherwise a> club. Delegates were present horn Manchester, Liverpool, Leodo, Bii'ininjjham, California, New York, and Borabay. It was decided to ask for the appointment of a Chinese Consul to London, and to send letters to various clubs in China recommending emigration to London and Cyprus. The Presbyterian Church of Wales has 'decided to celebrate the centenary of Welsh ijunday schools in 1885.