Gas holder - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:24, 2 November 2020

2020-11-02T08:24:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:24, 2 November 2020
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	There is hope for some of the remaining gas holders though, as there are continued protests from local communities when plans are made to dismantle them. Various architectural firms have sought to incorporate the structures into their designs. For example, Gasholder No. 8 has been converted into a park with a circular lawn and polished steel pavilion as part of the redevelopment of King’s Cross.		There is hope for some of the remaining gas holders though, as there are continued protests from local communities when plans are made to dismantle them. Various architectural firms have sought to incorporate the structures into their designs. For example, Gasholder No. 8 has been converted into a park with a circular lawn and polished steel pavilion as part of the redevelopment of King’s Cross.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Biogas.		* Biogas.
Line 39:		Line 37:
	* Shale gas.		* Shale gas.

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:~~History~~]] [[Category:~~Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Property_development]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]

Editor at 12:59, 23 August 2017

2017-08-23T12:59:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:59, 23 August 2017
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	* Conservation of the historic environment.		* Conservation of the historic environment.
	* Energy storage.		* Energy storage.
		+	* Mains gas.
	* Natural gas.		* Natural gas.
	* Nineteenth century building types.		* Nineteenth century building types.
	* Shale gas.		* Shale gas.

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Property_development]]

Designing Buildings at 15:44, 12 April 2017

2017-04-12T15:44:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 12 April 2017
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−	[[File:Gasholder2.jpg]]	+	[[File:Gasholder2.jpg\|link=File:Gasholder2.jpg]]

−	~~A gas holder is a~~ Victorian-era ~~container that was~~ used in urban areas to store large volumes of gas, usually from nearby gasworks. Natural, or town, gas would be stored near atmospheric pressure at ambient temperatures. The container would be moveable and rise and fall with the quantity of stored gas.	+	Gas holders are typically Victorian-era containers used in urban areas to store large volumes of gas, usually from nearby gasworks. Natural, or town, gas would be stored near atmospheric pressure at ambient temperatures. The container would be moveable and rise and fall with the quantity of stored gas.

	Now predominantly unused, with many having, or planning to be, dismantled, they have been referred to as the ‘sentinels of the Industrial age', with their iron lattice frames becoming an iconic symbol of Victorian Britain. One of the most famous gas holders overlooks the Oval cricket ground in South London (see image above).		Now predominantly unused, with many having, or planning to be, dismantled, they have been referred to as the ‘sentinels of the Industrial age', with their iron lattice frames becoming an iconic symbol of Victorian Britain. One of the most famous gas holders overlooks the Oval cricket ground in South London (see image above).
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	Gas holders are also referred to as gasometers. This was a term coined by William Murdoch, the inventor of gas lighting, although it caused consternation among some of his peers who complained that a gas holder was a container and not a meter. However, the name fell into general use as the structures spread across the country during the 19th century.		Gas holders are also referred to as gasometers. This was a term coined by William Murdoch, the inventor of gas lighting, although it caused consternation among some of his peers who complained that a gas holder was a container and not a meter. However, the name fell into general use as the structures spread across the country during the 19th century.

−	The telescopic gas holder was invented in 1824 ~~and was~~ first built in Leeds, ~~with providing a facility~~ for much more storage. This early type of gas holder consisted of vessels situated one inside the other. When the inner vessel was fully extended, the next outer vessel would ~~also~~ rise. The chamber would fall once the holder had reached full capacity and gas begun to flow back out through the main pipe. Often underground tanks made of brick, stone or concrete would be built and filled with water.	+	The telescopic gas holder was invented in 1824, with the first example built in Leeds, allowing for much more storage. This early type of gas holder consisted of a number of vessels situated one inside the other. When the inner vessel was fully extended, the next outer vessel would rise.

−	[[File:Gasholder1.jpg]]	+	[[File:Gasholder1.jpg\|link=File:Gasholder1.jpg]]

	In 1890, William Gadd invented the spirally-guided gas holder which used spiral rails instead of external columns or guide frames.		In 1890, William Gadd invented the spirally-guided gas holder which used spiral rails instead of external columns or guide frames.

−	Gas holders became a permanent ~~fixture~~ across the country by the early-20th century, ~~being~~ capable of storing up to 2 million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 2,400 homes ~~for a full day~~.	+	Gas holders became permanent fixtures across the country by the early-20th century, capable of storing up to 2 million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 2,400 homes.

−	However, ~~developments~~ in gas pipe technology and discovery of natural gas in the North Sea in 1965, led to decline in reliance on gas holders. Instead of town gas being used, the gas from the North Sea ~~began to be~~ piped under high pressure. ~~Their~~ role became one of providing extra capacity when needed by the gas network, although as the pipelines became more and more effective, this role soon dwindled.	+	However, development in gas pipe technology and the discovery of natural gas in the North Sea in 1965, led to a decline in reliance on gas holders. Instead of town gas being used, the gas from the North Sea was piped under high pressure. The role of gas holders became one of providing extra capacity when needed by the gas network, although as the pipelines became more and more effective, this role also soon dwindled.

−	By the 1990s, most local gas networks were able to function at full capacity without using gas holders, leading to a decision in 1999 to start demolishing them. National Grid, who own most of the gas holders, continue to oversee ~~the~~ dismantling ~~of gas holders with the aim being~~ to sell off the now-valuable land upon which they ~~are~~ sat.	+	By the 1990s, most local gas networks were able to function at full capacity without using gas holders, leading to a decision in 1999 to start demolishing them. National Grid, who own most of the gas holders, continue to oversee dismantling in order to sell off the now-valuable land upon which they sat.

−	The dismantling process is complicated ~~and requires methodical accuracy~~. One crane is used to lift a worker who uses a plasma cutter to sever sections of the iron girders, while a second crane holds the sections and lowers them once they have been sheared off.	+	The dismantling process is complicated. One crane is used to lift a worker who uses a plasma cutter to sever sections of the iron girders, while a second crane holds the sections and lowers them once they have been sheared off.

−	Northern Gas Networks have trialed ‘sludge solidification’, a process in which the solids that have accumulated at the bottom of the holding tank are buried with the base itself. The idea is that this is a safer and more cost-effective method than ~~environmental~~ removal by tanker, and also helps prevent soil contamination.	+	Northern Gas Networks have trialed ‘sludge solidification’, a process in which the solids that have accumulated at the bottom of the holding tank are buried with the base itself. The idea is that this is a safer and more cost-effective method than removal by tanker, and also helps prevent soil contamination.

−	There is hope for some of the remaining gas holders though, as ~~they continue to provoke protest~~ from local communities when plans are made to dismantle ~~one~~. Various architectural firms have sought to incorporate the structures in their designs. For example, Gasholder No. 8 has been converted into a park with a circular lawn and polished steel pavilion as part of the redevelopment of King’s Cross.	+	There is hope for some of the remaining gas holders though, as there are continued protests from local communities when plans are made to dismantle them. Various architectural firms have sought to incorporate the structures into their designs. For example, Gasholder No. 8 has been converted into a park with a circular lawn and polished steel pavilion as part of the redevelopment of King’s Cross.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Editor: Created page with "File:Gasholder2.jpg A gas holder is a Victorian-era container that was used in urban areas to store large volumes of gas, usually from nearby gasworks. Natural, or town, gas..."

2017-04-06T16:04:14Z

Created page with "File:Gasholder2.jpg A gas holder is a Victorian-era container that was used in urban areas to store large volumes of gas, usually from nearby gasworks. Natural, or town, gas..."

New page

[[File:Gasholder2.jpg]]

A gas holder is a Victorian-era container that was used in urban areas to store large volumes of gas, usually from nearby gasworks. Natural, or town, gas would be stored near atmospheric pressure at ambient temperatures. The container would be moveable and rise and fall with the quantity of stored gas.

Now predominantly unused, with many having, or planning to be, dismantled, they have been referred to as the ‘sentinels of the Industrial age', with their iron lattice frames becoming an iconic symbol of Victorian Britain. One of the most famous gas holders overlooks the Oval cricket ground in South London (see image above).

Gas holders are also referred to as gasometers. This was a term coined by William Murdoch, the inventor of gas lighting, although it caused consternation among some of his peers who complained that a gas holder was a container and not a meter. However, the name fell into general use as the structures spread across the country during the 19th century.

The telescopic gas holder was invented in 1824 and was first built in Leeds, with providing a facility for much more storage. This early type of gas holder consisted of vessels situated one inside the other. When the inner vessel was fully extended, the next outer vessel would also rise. The chamber would fall once the holder had reached full capacity and gas begun to flow back out through the main pipe. Often underground tanks made of brick, stone or concrete would be built and filled with water.

[[File:Gasholder1.jpg]]

In 1890, William Gadd invented the spirally-guided gas holder which used spiral rails instead of external columns or guide frames.

Gas holders became a permanent fixture across the country by the early-20th century, being capable of storing up to 2 million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 2,400 homes for a full day.

However, developments in gas pipe technology and discovery of natural gas in the North Sea in 1965, led to decline in reliance on gas holders. Instead of town gas being used, the gas from the North Sea began to be piped under high pressure. Their role became one of providing extra capacity when needed by the gas network, although as the pipelines became more and more effective, this role soon dwindled.

By the 1990s, most local gas networks were able to function at full capacity without using gas holders, leading to a decision in 1999 to start demolishing them. National Grid, who own most of the gas holders, continue to oversee the dismantling of gas holders with the aim being to sell off the now-valuable land upon which they are sat.

The dismantling process is complicated and requires methodical accuracy. One crane is used to lift a worker who uses a plasma cutter to sever sections of the iron girders, while a second crane holds the sections and lowers them once they have been sheared off.

Northern Gas Networks have trialed ‘sludge solidification’, a process in which the solids that have accumulated at the bottom of the holding tank are buried with the base itself. The idea is that this is a safer and more cost-effective method than environmental removal by tanker, and also helps prevent soil contamination.

There is hope for some of the remaining gas holders though, as they continue to provoke protest from local communities when plans are made to dismantle one. Various architectural firms have sought to incorporate the structures in their designs. For example, Gasholder No. 8 has been converted into a park with a circular lawn and polished steel pavilion as part of the redevelopment of King’s Cross.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Biogas.
* Carbon capture and storage.
* Civil Engineering during the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
* Conservation of the historic environment.
* Energy storage.
* Natural gas.
* Nineteenth century building types.
* Shale gas.

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]