Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines

This volume opens a clear window onto the early age of internal‑combustion power, when gas‑engines were rapidly replacing steam in factories, workshops and street‑lighting systems. It explains why these “explosion‑engines” demand far more precise attention: high pressures, extreme cylinder temperatures, and the delicate timing of ignition all combine to make efficient operation a true art. Readers will learn how even small leaks or mistimed sparks can waste fuel and wear out parts far more quickly than with a steam engine.

The guide walks through every practical stage—choosing the right engine, preparing a gas‑tight installation, setting up cooling systems, and keeping the ignition mechanism in top condition. Detailed sections on producer‑gas plants, oil‑fired engines, and volatile hydrocarbon units give engineers a toolbox for machines up to two hundred horsepower, with clear instructions for routine care and emergency repairs. Supplements on cost comparison and performance testing round out the discussion.

Beyond its hands‑on advice, the treatise captures the spirit of a period when engineers like the author combined meticulous experimentation with a drive to improve everyday power. Listeners interested in the history of technology, or in the fundamentals that still underpin modern engines, will find both practical wisdom and a satisfying glimpse into a transformative era of mechanical engineering.