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Drum construction is improved
Oct., I938.]
CURRENT TOPICS.
569
or more moist, and a small glass tube filled with sulphuric acid which responds to changes in temperature. R. H. O. D r u m Construction is I m p r o v e d . - - ( Chemical and Metallurgical T h e Steel Barrels and Drums Committee of the Manufacturing Chemists Association has been successful in obtaining approval of changes in the specifications for the I8 gage, 55 gallon and the I9 gage, 30 gallon steel drums which are widely used for transportation of non-dangerous liquids and other inflammable liquids flashing between 20 ° F. and 80 ° F. T h e change only applies to bung drums. Open head drums have not been changed. T h e new drum weighs 93 lb. less than the present drum in the 55 gallon size. This change has been based on two basic facts which were proved by the Committee. In the first place the present drum is a satisfactory container as its transportation record is of the best. Secondly it was found that the drum was unbalanced in strength as the side walls are stronger than the heads. It was therefore logical to reduce the gage of the side walls to more nearly approximate the degree of resistance to abuse which is built into the heads. T w e n t y gage steel was found to be more flexible than I8 and this has resulted in a greater capacity of the drums to absorb shocks. T h e Committee conducted hydrostatic tests, drop tests, and impact tests to prove their contention. R. H. O.
Engineering, Vol. 45, No. 7.)
Making Gas Electrically.--Extracts from a paper by J. KEILLOR on developments of the gas industry in Canada, in the Gas World, Vol. CIX, No. 2815, contain mention of a T o r o n t o experiment conducted by A. T. Stuart of the Hydro-electric Power Commission of Ontario which shows how complete gasification of coal or coke, etc., can be accomplished in a plant specially designed, using oxygen produced from water by electrolysis. For m a n y years it has been realized that the solution of the problem of the economical and complete conversion of coal into gas will depend upon large supplies of cheap oxygen. Water contains both oxygen and hydrogen which can be separated in the highest purity, and, as it is used in the gas process in the form of steam, in a sense, gasworks are hydrogen factories. T h e Commission is perhaps the first to demonstrate on a commercial scale how complete gasification of solid fuel is accomplished electrically, producing gas of similar composition, heat value, and specific gravity to that now being distributed in city mains. T h e plant was constructed with the co6peration of an American firm. Some 2,ooo cubic feet of oxygen and 4,ooo cubic
CURRENT TOPICS.
569
or more moist, and a small glass tube filled with sulphuric acid which responds to changes in temperature. R. H. O. D r u m Construction is I m p r o v e d . - - ( Chemical and Metallurgical T h e Steel Barrels and Drums Committee of the Manufacturing Chemists Association has been successful in obtaining approval of changes in the specifications for the I8 gage, 55 gallon and the I9 gage, 30 gallon steel drums which are widely used for transportation of non-dangerous liquids and other inflammable liquids flashing between 20 ° F. and 80 ° F. T h e change only applies to bung drums. Open head drums have not been changed. T h e new drum weighs 93 lb. less than the present drum in the 55 gallon size. This change has been based on two basic facts which were proved by the Committee. In the first place the present drum is a satisfactory container as its transportation record is of the best. Secondly it was found that the drum was unbalanced in strength as the side walls are stronger than the heads. It was therefore logical to reduce the gage of the side walls to more nearly approximate the degree of resistance to abuse which is built into the heads. T w e n t y gage steel was found to be more flexible than I8 and this has resulted in a greater capacity of the drums to absorb shocks. T h e Committee conducted hydrostatic tests, drop tests, and impact tests to prove their contention. R. H. O.
Engineering, Vol. 45, No. 7.)
Making Gas Electrically.--Extracts from a paper by J. KEILLOR on developments of the gas industry in Canada, in the Gas World, Vol. CIX, No. 2815, contain mention of a T o r o n t o experiment conducted by A. T. Stuart of the Hydro-electric Power Commission of Ontario which shows how complete gasification of coal or coke, etc., can be accomplished in a plant specially designed, using oxygen produced from water by electrolysis. For m a n y years it has been realized that the solution of the problem of the economical and complete conversion of coal into gas will depend upon large supplies of cheap oxygen. Water contains both oxygen and hydrogen which can be separated in the highest purity, and, as it is used in the gas process in the form of steam, in a sense, gasworks are hydrogen factories. T h e Commission is perhaps the first to demonstrate on a commercial scale how complete gasification of solid fuel is accomplished electrically, producing gas of similar composition, heat value, and specific gravity to that now being distributed in city mains. T h e plant was constructed with the co6peration of an American firm. Some 2,ooo cubic feet of oxygen and 4,ooo cubic