Page 5 - Demo

page5Historic Gas Times%u2022 Issue 113 %u2022 December 2022 %u2022hours, and other workmen being paid at similar rates. The retort-house is built of red brick, but is not of expensive design and other buildings are either of corrugated iron or wood, so arranged that the sides or ends can be readily removed in hot weather. The coal seen by the writer was rather dirty, small slack, with an odd lump now and again. It comes from the Ipswich (Queensland) district, and gives 11,000 cubic feet of gas per ton, with a good coke, which commands a very good local market.There is an overhead gantry running from the river to the retort house; and at the end of this structure is a steam-crane, which hoists the coal from the boat and deposits it in the trucks, running direct into the retort-house. There is also an overhead railway for feeding the coal-stores direct from the ground-line; so that an ample supply can be maintained. A coal-store is on each side of the retort-bench. The carbonizing plant consists of ten beds of horizontal through retorts, arranged in seven%u2019s, 20 feet long by 21 inches by 15 inches, heated by regenerative furnaces; also another bench of ten beds each of seven retorts about 20 inches by 14 inches with circular lids; the furnaces being direct fired.These latter, however, are now being pulled down, and a new bench will be erected similar to the regenerative bench. There is also under consideration the adoption of stoking machinery, directly the second bench is completed. Possibly, also, hotcoke conveyors may be installed. The house can be described as a stage-floor building, with plenty of room for any class of machinery. The hydraulic mains are about to be raised and supported on cross joists, so as to give a better level and keep them away from the heat of the bench. At the same time, it is the intention to erect tar-towers for regulating the seal and obtaining a better flush and greater freedom from pitch. The condensers consist of two batteries of Cutler%u2019s tubular design, covered over to protect them from December heat. The exhauster house contains three of Gwynne%u2019s rotary exhausters.There are also two tower scrubbers by Dempster%u2019s. Next comes a %u201c Standard %u201d rotary washer. The purifiers are four in number, each 20 feet square, with water-sealed covers and a hydraulic Jib-crane for each pair. Oxide is the only material used in purification. The meter-house contains a well-decorated Braddock meter; and the governor gives a good constant pressure on the town of 3 inches, which is satisfactory for the incandescent burners.The telescopic gasholders are. 160 feet diameter by 60 feet and 120 feet diameter by 44 feet. Their total capacity is 1,650,000 cubic feet, or over one-and-a-half times the maximum daily make, which is about 1,000,000 cubic feet. The annual output of the works is 185 million cubic feet. The writer noticed a carburettor, which Mr. Tomlinson has used for some time. Gazine is the enricher and solvent employed in it; and it has been found most successful in clearing the mains of naphthalene deposits. He lets a small quantity drip upon the affected part, and finds instant relief. Mr. Tomlinson was asked his opinion of the use of gazine; and his answer was a most emphatic reply in its favour.A sulphate plant was working and producing a well-coloured salt, it is in great demand and is sold at 2d. per gallon. There are small repairing shops for meters and fittings, besides a smithy and joiner%u2019s shop. Larger repairs are done in the town. The gas-mains (of which there are about 90 miles) are laid at a depth of 2 ft. 6 in., as the roads are not made on the English principle, and are unable to stand any excessively heavy load. The incandescent burner is responsible for the street lighting; the illuminating power of the gas being 17 candles. Its price is 6s. 8d. per 1000 cubic feet, with 25 per cent. discount for prompt payment%u2014that is, ss. net, or exactly one-third of the price forty years ago.An interesting illustration of the land boom about six years ago,- it may be mentioned that the Gas Company sold their office site to a purchaser for %u00a3100,000, upon which he paid a deposit of %u00a325,000. Failing to complete, the deposit money was forfeited, and the site was eventually sold to the Brisbane City Council for %u00a330,000. This transaction necessitated the purchase of another site for the Company%u2019s offices; and a very handsome building has been erected at a cost of %u00a36000. Here are found the boardroom, secretarial and engineering offices, and a fine cashier%u2019s counter in the main hall, which gives a palatial air to the whole building.VIEWS ON PUSHING GAS SALESThe writer was given to understand that the general sale of gas stoves, cookers, and fittings was going to be more energetically pushed by the Secretary, who has a scheme in hand similar to those adopted in the Old Country and already carried out at man of the works visited by the writer. The greatest attention should be given to this branch/of the business, as it merely corresponds to the sales department of a large manufacturing concern.Where is the manufacturer who is satisfied with his style of manufacture only? Neither should a gas engineer be satisfied only with his carbonizing plant or gas apparatus. The antiquated idea of waiting for an increase of population, and an anticipated increase of consumers in consequence, will not do nowadays. Gas companies should forget all about the monopoly they have and should use a little persuasive coercion (if the phrase may be allowed), so as to drag the consumer out of his old ways by enticing him to adopt new methods of gas consumption, on the condition that the gas company will put in the new apparatus Chief Engineer Mr. J H. Tomlinson, is a picture of health and happiness.