Series 4 > Scottish industrial history

BEGINING AND END OF LEWIS CHEMICAL WORKS Ipy
the Works, without much interference from our New Manager
Who did not pretend any knowledge of the affair, But was for
Courtsey sake consulted occationally.
As already referred to, The Works was undergoing improve¬
ments after Dr Paul left, among the principal improvements was
the Building of a large Vat Containing 2000 Gallons to receive the
Tar and Water by Gravity from the Condencers, The exhaust steam
from the Engene led in to the Vat through an arrangement of
pipes, giving sufficient heat to seperate the Tar and Ammonea
Water, this saving labour and Fewal, Instead as before the stuff
Carried in bukets to a Boiler to be heated. The Ammonea apparatus
Prepared by Dr Paul at the Refinery to be fitted up at Creed (as
refared to at Page 30 [i.e. p. 194]). The Ammonea apparatus
was by Mr Gaunter thought rather Complicated and began to
simplefy it down to his own Understanding till at last it landed
among the scrap Iron. The Tramways was extended through the
Peat Ground, Ten additional Trucks (Twenty in all) Which was
left full of Peat each evening for the Night Consumption.
Two large Pits dug in the Moss beside the Cart Road, Each Pit to
contain 30 Tons of Tar, one Pit filled, cooling to be carted to the
Refinery while the other was receiving the Tar distilled daly in a
warm state to be in turn cooled for Carting. Additional Condencers
was placed between the Fan and Gas Burner, with sundrie other
additions and changes to Complete the Works. [The Machinery
Built in Mouth of Kilns to prevent escape of Gas was removed to
the scrap Iron heap, Which by the various alterations from first
had now grown to a large heap.]
There was one improvement Proposed before starting on which
Mr Gaunter put his Veto. That was to conduct as much Gas to the
Boiler Furnece as keep up Steam, however altho the doing was not
then insisted on it was not lost sight of as will be seen farther on.
[The large quantity of Peat prepared in 1859-60 and 1861 Not
being used owing to the many delays and alteration on the Work,
gave better results, owing to the Three summers Drying. A large
quantity Estimated at £ lost in Dross by too much Drying or too
long exposed to the Weather.]
On 20 Septr. 1862 The Works was started in a greatley improved
state. Our first Weeks work give 7 per cent of Tar (Crude hydro-