What role did purifiers, often employing lime or iron ore, play in the manufactured fuel gas industry?
They critically removed noxious sulfur compounds from the gas mix
The manufactured fuel gases produced via carbonization were complex chemical mixtures containing hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide, but they also contained significant quantities of noxious sulfur compounds. If these sulfur compounds were not removed prior to distribution and use, they posed serious issues. Upon combustion, untreated sulfur would form sulfuric acid, which could cause corrosion and damage infrastructure. Furthermore, the presence of sulfur compounds could tarnish household items, such as silver goods. Therefore, purifiers using absorbents like lime or iron ore were engineered as a critical step to cleanse the gas, ensuring its safe and non-destructive application within civic settings.
