CHAPTER IX
THE MECHANICAL HANDLING OF GASWORKS MATERIALS
The application of machinery to the handling of all types of gasworks material has during recent years undergone considerable extension, so that, nowadays, even establishments of a comparatively small order can instal certain types of labour-saving plant to advantage. Moreover, recent incidents in the labour world and the perfecting of the more or less crude apparatus of former years has added a certain stimulus to the introduction of mechanical means for performing a host of duties originally carried out by hånd. The result is that whereas in 1893-7 about twenty men were required to produce a million cubic feet of gas per diem, to-day, in large installations of vertical retorts, the number is only four. Roughly speaking, it may be taken that the saving of a single man’s wages warrants at the present time a Capital outlay of between £1,400 and £1,300 on. machinery. When deciding upon the question of the introduction of mechanical plant, however, considerable thought is necessary, so that the various charges and contra charges are correctly balanced the one against the other.
The principal considerations which each engineer must apply to the case in question may be briefly enumerated as follows :—
(1) Can the working costs be curtailed, and if so, what will be the annual saving ?
(2) Will better carbonizing results follow the introduction of machinery, and will more gas be obtained from the plant used and land occupied? If so, what will be the effect on the wear and tear of plant ?
(3) Is the saving represented by (1) and (2) likely to be sufficient to meet the standing charges for interest on Capital expenditure, depreciation and repairs ?
(4) Will efficiency be sacrificed in order to effect the apparent economy ? Loss of efficiency may mean losses in other directions.
(5) Will the reduction of labour relieve the management of any difficulties not actually measurable in terms of money ?
Retort-house machinery is not profitably employed in small works, although. those manufacturing 20 million cubic feet or over per annum can to advantage instal such types as the “ Rapid ” or “ Manual ” machines, which require no mechanical power, and which may be classed as labour-saving devices though not necessarily causing much diminution in expenses.
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