Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use

Acetylene, The Principles Of Its

Generation And Use by F. H. Leeds and W. J. Atkinson Butterfield
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Title: Acetylene, The Principles Of Its Generation And Use
Author: F. H. Leeds and W. J. Atkinson Butterfield
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ACETYLENE, THE PRINCIPLES OF ITS GENERATION AND USE
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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