PREFACE. IN placing this compilation before his readers-and in particular, his brother Engineers of the Gas Industry-it may not be out of place for the Author to indicate the circumstances which have led, in the first instance, to the preparation of the Tables, Notes, and other matter comprised in the volume, and now to their issue in the present form. Having frequently during the course of his professional career experienced the want of any book containing those numerous tables, data, &c., which, with the spread of engineering knowledge, are every day becoming more and more necessary to the Gas Engineer for reference, he has for many years been in the habit of making and preserving, for his own use, full notes from every available source. These notes have formed the basis of the present work, and the fact that they were originally intended only for his own personal use has rendered it in many cases well-nigh impossible for the Author to acknowledge the sources of his information. He desires, however, to express here his indebtedness to both the Journal of Gas Lighting and the Gas World, whose full and careful reports, given from time to time, of papers read and discussions held at the various meetings of Engineering Societies, at which questions concerning the Gas Industry have been under review, have afforded him the means of obtaining a considerable portion of the matter here presented. In deciding the plan upon which the matter should be arranged, it appeared to the Author that the most suitable method was to take the various processes consecutively as they occur in the course of Gas-making, and to treat of the Construction of the Works separately from the Manufacture of the Gas. The diagrammatic form of tabulating has been followed wherever it seemed to be preferable, and the dimensions of the volume have in consequence been increased from the ordinary pocket-book size, so as to enable the diagrams to be better seen and read. The Tables have been most carefully checked, and every precaution taken to render them as accurate as possible. Should, however, any error be detected in them, the Author will feel much obliged for information of the fact; while he will welcome any communication upon the subject generally with which readers may be pleased to favour him. H. O'C. Edinburgh, 1897. NOTE TO SECOND EDITION. Ir is very gratifying that a new edition has been speedily called for, and the opportunity has been taken of correcting a few errors of the press. The Statutory Regulations for Testing the Illuminating Power and Purity of Gas have also been added, and the text of the book amended where it was found advisable. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Decimals of £1, cwt., mile, year, inch, foot, lb., ton Equivalent English and Metric Weights and Measures Cubic Feet into Cubic Metres, and the reverse PAGE Timber notes. Breaking Loads on Wooden Pillars (diagram) Breaking Strength, Elastic Strength, and Modulus of Elasticity Proportions, Strengths, and Weights of Bolts, Nuts, and Washers |