Lighting By Acetylene Generators Burners And Electric Furnaces

of calcium carbide. The apparent simplicity of the gas-making process from this new substance was sufficiently attractive to excite the interest of inventors generally, and to develop a large number of worthless generators, constructed by those having little mechanical knowledge and no ability to solve the difficulties encountered. The early machines were of the type originally known as briquet hydrogen -now known as the plunger or dip generators. The next to appear were the dry generators, so-called, in which water was sprinkled or dripped upon the carbide-sometimes now called drip machines. These were an enormous step in advance of the plunging machine, but with the overcoming of the earlier objections other corresponding difficulties were encountered and later, when the wet process or chute generator was introduced, it was thought that a great step in advance had been made. This opinion was in the main correct, as has been show11 by the investigations of those who have seriously and understandingly studied the problem but the same thing happened in this case that occurred when the dry machine was substituted for the plunger. W here certain objections were overcome, others were encountered and while all types of machines, and especially the latter two, were excellent gas producers, they were difficult of management, and some of them were dangerous. The gradual addition of parts for protection against each element of danger or inconvenience has made the machines safer, more efficient, and durable. I, At the same time, it has made them more likely to become disarranged. The coinplications which have grown out of the older and simpler forms of generators have not, however, rendered possible the charging of the dry machine with carbide, without the introduction of air or the opening of the reservoir containing an explosive mixture of air and acetylene. This, with such machines, is the greatest fault, and is the one which has been most difficult to overcome. With the wet machine, the loss of gas during the passage of the carbide down the chute, even if the same be filled with oil, is very considerable when using finely powdered carbide and this has not been overcome. The waste of gas is perhaps not of great importance but the possibilities which exist for its admisture in explosive quantities with air in the room containing the generator, and the odor which it is sure to cause, make the generators of either tvpe . most unpleasant companions in the house...