Transactions Volume 31 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...in practice, and is found to be quite sai'e. It was used at Seaham, during the re-opening of the Maudlin Seam, after the explosion of 1880. The greatest care was here necessary, owing to the coal having been on fire, and the consequent danger attending the carrying in of fresh air. The men using the apparatus were able to penetrate to a distance of 400 yards in advance of the air, and were, in fact, in an atmosphere of carburetted hydrogen for all that distance. Since this was written it has also been used at the recent accident at Killingworth, and was there found to be of great service. In connection with this, Mr. Fleuss has also a lamp constructed on similar principles, which it is necessary to use when exploring with this apparatus, for, of course, no ordinary lamp could be of any service in such a case. It is a modification of the lime light, spirits of wine being used instead of hydrogen. Attached to the lamp is a strong copper sphere, charged with oxygen, at a pressure of 16 to 20 atmospheres. A minute stream of oxygen, regulated by an adjusting valve, is allowed to pass between the two wicks of the spirit lamp, carrying the flame against a cylinder of lime. The lamp being entirely cut off from the surrounding atmosphere by the double copper casing, with water between the inner and outer services, throws its light through discs of plain glass inserted in the casings, and is, of course, absolutely safe. It will burn four hours, equally well in carbonic acid gas or in fire damp. This lamp was found to be of great service in the Seaham exploring. Its light is so powerful that a newspaper can be read at a distance of 40 or 50 yards. It has also the advantage that it will act equally well under water, but unfortunately its size and...