Carbridge lamp
The carbide lamp was invented in 1892.
It was used in the mines until the fifties.
In Halanzy and Musson they were used until the mine shutdown.
The lamp has 2 parts:
● The lower part with the calcium carbide tank also called the carburetor
● The upper part is a water tank; it communicates with the lower tank through an opening fitted with a needle; at the other end, a small gate allows the regulation of the flow of water on the carbide.
Calcium carbide looks like very hard grey-white stones. In water it emits a flammable gas, the acetylene.
This gas produced in the lower tank will escape through a ceramic opening called acetylene burner, where it will ignite to light up the lamp.
Acetylene gives a very lighting yellowish flame which produces a lot of heat.
The light of the carbide lamp is equivalent to the light of 20 candles.
Advantages
● Powerful lighting, good subdued light, pleasant and warm colour.
● Wide range (about 8 hours)
● Exothermic reaction allowing to keep warm
● Possibility to use the flame to warm up food
● Rather easy and secure assessment of the energy stockDisavantages
● Non directional lighting
● Weight
● Necessity of water
● Extinction in case of wind or water
● Malodorous and sensitive to dampness