THE STORAGE OF GAS
687
Some interesting examples of the cost of existing holders are given here; but it must be remembered that as these holders were erected at a time when Materials and labour were in comparison extremely cheap, the costs cannot be taken as any-where approaching present-day figures :■—
East Greenwich Manchester Berlin
Vienna .
Approximate capacity.
12 million cubio feet .
10J „ „ „ .
8 „ „ „ .
8f „ „ „ .
Cost per 1,000 cubic feet contents.
£5 5 0
£5 0 0
£13 9 0
£7 13 0
Single-lift gasholders, with guide-framing,. of small dimensions (say up to 50,000 cubic feet capacity) now cost from £80 to £90 per 1,000 cubic feet, but if of the spiral type the cost would be about 25 per cent. less.
Two-lift holders of about a quarter of a million cubic feet capacity range now from £50 to £70; or if spirally guided about £35 per 1,000 cubic feet. Holders of the most usual size as found in provincial works, those of 2 to 3 million capacity, would now cost from £30 to £40 per 1,000 cubic feet, as against £9 to £12 in pre-war days.
The following are typical instances of costs as they stood in pre-war days:—
Brick and Puddle. Concrete Rendered. Steel.
For 2 million cubic feet holder— Cost per 1,000 cubic feet holder capacity £5 10s. to £7 £5 to £6 5s. £4 to £4 5s.1
Cost per cubic foot tank capacity 4J/Z. to 6<7. 4-2<Z. to 5-3cZ. 3-3d.
For 1 million cubic feet holder— Cost per 1,000 cubic feet . — — £4 10s.1
Do. for J million cubic feet holder — — £5 5s.1
Average cost of tank for 1 million cubic feet holder Per 1,000 cubic feet capacity £6 5s. £5 15«. £4 10s. + 17«. 6d.
Per cubic foot tank capacity . 6-3d. 5-7cl. foundations = £5 7s. 6rf. 3 4d.
1 Add foundations 17«. 6tZ. to 35$. in each case.
The cost of the tanks vanes in accordance with their size and design, and with the prevailing costs of steel, brick and cement.
The diagram (Fig. 428) shows the relation between the pre-war cost of gasholders and their capacity, also the cost of steel tanks.
Although from the point of view of present-day erection pre-war costs for gasholders are of little assistance, the author feels that they should be included for the reason that they represent the expenditure which has been incurred in connection with. the majority of holders now in service. Since 1914 practically no holders of any size have been erected.