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Sulphur.
163
usual a gradual increase is observable in the summer months and a
gradual decrease in the winter months. Nor do the maximum and
minimum monthly averages vary very greatly, thus in 1904 they were
15.7 and 14.6 respectively and in 1905 16.2 and 14.7 candles.
I have already called attention in my brief historical retrospect of
legislation to the various changes which have occurred
as regards the purification by lime and the consequent
removal, for the present at least, of "any restrictions as to the amount of
sulphur allowable in gas. It is however generally understood that
even in the absence of lime purification the limit should not
appreciably exceed 35 grains in 100 cubic feet of gas, and this
applies to all the Gas Companies.
As regards the Wandsworth and Futney Gas Company at the
commencement of the daily testings from October to December, 1903,
the amount of sulphur was high in relation to the statutory regulation
then in force (viz., that it should not exceed 20 grains in 100 cubic
feet, the Company being liable to forfeiture if there should be an
excess of two grains 011 six consecutive days or of 10 grains on any one
day), but this relatively high amount was due to the fact that the
Company had at first some difficulty in regulating this impurity owing
to the use of new plant.
It is only fair to the Company to state that during the whole of
1904 and 1905 with comparatively few and quite temporary exceptions
the sulphur was maintained well within the limit prescribed by the
Act of 1900, the average for 1904 being 12.3 and for 1905, 10.5 grains
in 100 cubic feet of gas.
In Table A will be seen the monthly averages of the sulphur from
October, 1903, to March 31st, 1906, and in Table B are shown in the
form of a curve the weekly averages during the same period, all these
averages having been calculated from daily testings. Although the
general average during this period shown did not exceed 12 grains,
there was as may be supposed a certain and not inconsiderable
fluctuation and what is perhaps the most striking point about this
sulphur curve is its remarkable relation to the curve for the illuminating
power shown on the same Table. From a general inspection even, it
is noticeable that as the sulphur increases the illuminating power
d creases and vice versa and the ratio of the two curves is