The new modern gasworks practice I. [antikvár]

PREFACE No one more than the author regrets that there has been so long an interval since the last edition of Modem Gasworks Practice was published. The necessity for this long delay will be familiar to all of those acquainted with the revolutionary changes in the technique of gas manufacture which have taken place in the last decade. This period has, incleed, been marked by so continuous and rapid an evolution of plánt and processes that it would have been most inexpedient to have issued a new work at a time when it could have been of little more than ephemeral interest. The author, therefore, decided to wait for a time when the gas industry had technicallv reaehed a state of greater quiescence, thus making it possible to commit to permanent form facts and figures which could at least be expected to remain of value for somé few years. There is no gainsaying the fact that the amount of knowledge which the present-day gas engineer is expected to assimilate cannot possibly be compressed into one or even two volumes. It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that a separate volume could be written on each one of those subjects which are enumerated under the author's chapter headings, so that the condensation of the originál material available, the decision as to what shall be rejected and what retained comprise a task which is almost beyond the power of a single individual. Within, therefore, the space allotted him, the author has endeavoured to cover the vast field embraced by his title as comprehensively as possible, so that this volume may find somé use among those officers in the gas industry requiring a practical reference work, while the needs of the student have been by no means overlooked. It is difficult, indeed impossible, to furnish the needs of all; a.ccordingly-depending upon the individual viewpoint-omissions are inevitable, but once again reliance will be placed upon the goodwill of my readers to acquaint me of any suggestions or improvements which may occur to them. It has once more been my good fortune to have received the wholehearted co-operation of my many friends in the industry, and of the many constructional and other firms which work in such close contact with it. In connection with the first volume mention in particular must be made of the valuable criticism and assistance given by Mr. George Evetts, Mr. T. Campbell Finlayson, Major W. W. Gregson, Mr. J. C. Green, Mr. R. E. Jenkins, and Mr. C. H. S. Tupholme. In aidition, my thanks are due to Mr. T. A. Tomlinson for having read every page of my proofs, and for his exceptionally keen interest and helpful guidance. Finally, it must be put on record that the burden of the task would have been almost beyond me had I not had the co-operation of my old friend, Mr. Arthur Coe, Principal of the Gas College, Halifax, who in collecting and arranging material for me in somé of the following chapters has almost played the rőle of a collaborator. A. M. The Athen^um, S.W. 1. March 1934.