THE REGENERATIVE SYSTEM OF RETORT FIRINGS.

For me to attempt, with the time at my disposal, to do full justice to many important points which have cropped up since our last meeting, and which will, no doubt, have been engaging your individual attention, would be impossible.  But I think there can be no doubt that, although at our last meeting we had a very full and interesting discussion on the different systems of regenerative retort settings, still we might very profitably spend a little time to-day in hearing the experience of those who have had some of the systems introduced into their works since then, or who may have gained further experience with the system they were then working, or have introduced improvements or modifications thereon.

For the purpose of inducing a discussion on this subject, I will give you the result of the working of the bench of retorts which I erected three years ago on the Siemens system.  As I stated last year, my experience up to that time had not been altogether a happy one, but one of sunshine and cloud alternately.  I am glad to be able to say, however, that since then I have had nothing but the utmost satisfaction in the working of the regenerative settings.  The chief difficulties I have before experienced were of a mixed nature—­choked ascension pipes, entailing considerable loss of gas; the choking of the orifices from which the secondary heated air issued to join the producer gas; and the eating away, in a “scooped-out” sort of fashion, of the brick lining of the producers at the points where the primary air entered.  These, I am pleased to be able to say, I am now completely clear of; and this has had the effect of converting what was before a considerable source of annoyance and anxiety into as perfect a working bench of retorts as any one could desire.

The results I have obtained have caused me much surprise, being far in excess of anything I ever anticipated; and the saving effected will materially assist in compensating for the greatly reduced value of residuals.  I may state that I have used 30 per cent. of fuel on an average, saved from 25 to 30 per cent. on stokers’ wages, and increased my production of gas per ton of coal; while the regularity of the heats was a pleasure to look upon.

As showing what I have been able to accomplish, I will give you a few details.  I was able regularly to produce 10,000 cubic feet of gas per mouthpiece in 24 hours—­the size of my retorts being 18 by 13 inches by 9 feet long, inside measure; and on a sudden dullness coming on, with an increase of first class cannel I produced from 33 retorts 357,000 cubic feet, or at the rate of 11,500 feet per mouthpiece in 24 hours.  With 32 retorts I made as much gas as would have required 42 retorts to produce on the old system.  But I know that even this can be excelled; and I am aware that there are works where, by the introduction of retorts measuring 21 by 15 inches, instead of 18 by 13 inches—­and which, I may say, can be put quite easily into the same arch—­a production of 12,000 cubic feet per mouthpiece can be obtained.  This will, of course, still further reduce the cost of production.