Chapter I: Front Matter

ACETYLENE

THE PRINCIPLES OF ITS GENERATION AND USE

A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK ON THE PRODUCTION, PURIFICATION, AND SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT OF ACETYLENE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT, HEAT, AND POWER

Second Edition

REVISED AND ENLARGED

BY

F. H. LEEDS, F.I.C.

FOR SOME YEARS TECHNICAL EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL "ACETYLENE"

AND

W. J. ATKINSON BUTTERFIELD, M.A.

AUTHOR OF "THE CHEMISTRY OF GAS MANUFACTURE"

PREFATORY NOTE TO THE FIRST EDITION

In compiling this work on the uses and application of acetylene, the special aim of the authors has been to explain the various physical and chemical phenomena:

(1) Accompanying the generation of acetylene from calcium carbide and water.

(2) Accompanying the combustion of the gas in luminous or incandescent burners, and

(3) Its employment for any purpose--(a) neat, (b) compressed into cylinders, (c) diluted, and (d) as an enriching material.

They have essayed a comparison between the value of acetylene and other illuminants on the basis of "illuminating effect" instead of on the misleading basis of pure "illuminating power," a distinction which they hope and believe will do much to clear up the misconceptions existing on the subject. Tables are included, for the first time (it is believed) in English publications, of the proper sizes of mains and service-pipes for delivering acetylene at different effective pressures, which, it is hoped, will prove of use to those concerned in the installation of acetylene lighting systems.

_June_ 1903

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER X

CARBURETTED ACETYLENE

Carburetted acetylene Illuminating power of carburetted acetylene Carburetted acetylene for "power"

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

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

CHAPTER XIII

PORTABLE ACETYLENE LAMPS AND PLANT

Table and vehicular lamps Flare lamps Cartridges of carbide Cycle-lamp burners Railway lighting

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

APPENDIX

DESCRIPTIONS OP GENERATORS

America: Canada America: United States Austria-Hungary Belgium France Germany Great Britain and Ireland

INDEX

INDEX TO APPENDIX

ACETYLENE