762 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 20, 1916. rubbly culm and duff were steady. Steamboats were a little irregular, the pressure being less pronounced, and the bituminous market was hardly as tight. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L'st week’s'Last year's Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) prices. 31/ -33/ prices. prices. 31/ -33/ ! 34 6-35/ Secondary do. 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ \ 32/ -34/ Big Vein Valley large... 27/ -29 0 27/ -29/ : 34'6-35/6 Red Vein large : 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ i 27/6-28,6 Machine - made cobbles i 39,6-41/ . 39,6-41/ ' 43/. -44/ Paris nuts — 1 - 1 - French do 39 6-41/ ■ 39'6-41/ t 43/ -45/ Stove do 39/ —40/ : 39/ -40/ ! 41/ -44/ Beans Machine - made large 30/ -31/ s 30/ -31/ i 31/ -33/6 peas 20/ -22/6 • 20/ -22/6 : 18'6-19/6 Do. fine peas — — — Rubbly culm 14 6-15/ j 14/6-15/ 9/ -10/ ; 6/ - 6/6 ■ 3/6- 4/ Duff Steam coals -.— 6/ - 6/6 Best large 34 '6-35 6 34/6-35/6 21/6-24'6 Seconds 30/ -32 6 30/ -32 6 ’ 17/ -19/ Bunker throughs 25/ -29/6 25/ -29,6 14/ -15 6 20/ -22/ ! 7/ - 9/ Small Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 20/ -22/ ! Large 37/ -39/ ; 37/ -39/ . 23/ -26/ Thro'-and-thro’ — 1 Small | 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ ' 16/ -17/ Patent fuel ' 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ : 27/ -28/ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, October 19. Dublin. No change in the trade, but business continues active in most directions. Prices of all qualities remaining unaltered. Current quotations are:—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; retail prices, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st. The coal- laden vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 57, as compared with 73 the week previously, chiefly from Sillcth, Swansea, Harrington, Cardiff, Ellesmere Port, Garston, Newport, Point of Aire, Liverpool, Troon, Man- chester, Partington, Ayr, Glasgow, and Preston. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 25,000 tons, as against 34,000 tons in the previous week. Belfast. The household trade has been quiet, owing to the mild weather, but a slight improvement has set in this week, both locally and in neighbouring districts. Prices all remain unchanged, and fairly good stocks are held by the local mer- chants. Quotations for household coals are as follow :—Best Arley, 41s. per ton; second Orrell, 40s.; Orrell nuts, 40s.; Scotch, 37s. ; Orrell slack, 37s.—all less Is. per ton discount for cash. Llanelly. COAL. The heavy weather is interfering with the position of tonnage, with the result that the state of the local maiket is not quite as firm as last reported. Enquiries are numerous both for shipment and inland business, and immediately the expected tonnage arrives the position will at once become very firm. Anthracite qualities are in good demand, and machine-made kinds in particular are enquired for. Colliery order books are well placed, and it is not possible to entertain all business offering. Culm and duff are in moderate request. Steam coals are not quite as firm as last reported, but large kinds of the better qualities continue scarce and there is no immediate prosp-ct of any change for the better so far as supplies are concerned. Throughs and smalls are fairly steady, with prices as last. The arrival of tonnage on stem will, however, harden the market. Manufacturing coals are in strong demand with no free parcels offering. House coal is scarce and consumers are inconvenienced by the delays in satisfactory quantities coming forward. Prices f.o.b. ___________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The market is very “ patchy,” which is inevitable in the present state of affairs, prices fluctuating considerably. For class A work, transactions were reported at 24s. 6d. to 25s. for IC 14 x 20, and 49s. 6d. to 50s. for 28 x 20, and without this certificate it is impossible to obtain steel. Stock lots are realising about 30s. for I C 14 x 20, and 66s. to 68s. has been paid for I C 28 x 20. Following are about current quotations for class A work only :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 1b.), 25s. per box and upwards; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 50s. IC squares and odd sizes, 26s. 6d. basis and upwards. Oil sizes are quite nominal, at round 32s. for I C 14 x 18|, and 47s. 6d. for I C 20 x 10 cokes. Charcoals run 28s. fid. basis and upwards; and terne-plates are nominal, at about 62s. a box for I C 28 x 20. Coke wasters are in moderate request. Quotations : C W 14 x 20, 28s. to 30s. a box; C W 28 x 20, 61s. to 62s. 6d.; C W 14 x 18f, 30s. to 31s.; C W 20 x 10, 44s. 6d. to 46s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ___________________________ Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ....... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do_________ Machine-made cobbles... Stove nuts........... French do.................... Paris do__________ Machine-made beans .. Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Througn-and-through... Small ........._______ Bituminous small coal . Current L'st week's Last year’s prices. prices. < prices. 31/6-32/6 31'6-32 6 34/ -36/ 29/ -30 6 29/ -30,6 . 32/ -34/ 28/ -30/ i 28/ -30/ i 33/ -35/ 26/6-27/6 ■ 26/6-27/6 ’ 26/ -28/ 39'6-42/6 39/6-42/6 42/ -44/ 39/6-41/6 39/6-41/6 41/ -43/ 40/ -42/ i 40/ -42/ 39/6-41/6 39/6-41/6 30/ -31,6 30/ -31/6 22/ -23/ : 22/ -23/ 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 6/ - 6/6 i 6/ - 6/6 34'6-36/ 26/ -29/ 20/ -22/ 25/6-27/6 34/6-36/ 26/ -29/ 20/ -22/ 25/6-27/6 42/6-45/ 42/ -43/ 30/ -32/ 18/ -19/6 9/ -10/ 3/6- 4/6 22/ -24/ 14/ -16/ 6/ - 8/ 15/6-16,6 IRON PYRITES AND THE OXIDATION OF COAL * By T. J. Drakeley. The effect of the presence of iron pyrites on the oxida- tion of coal is a subject on which various opinions are held. Some authorities maintain that its influence is favourable, some that it has nothing whatever to do with the spontaneous ignition of coal, whilst others regard its presence as detrimental to the oxidation of the coal. The old popular idea was that the spontaneous combus- tion of coal was due solely to the presence of pyrites in the coal; this was overthrown mainly by the classical researches of Richters, but wras brought into prominence again by the investigations of Haldane and Meachem. The generally accepted view among coal mining men at the present time seems to be that little importance is to be attached to the presence of pyrites, and that a sufficient explanation of spontaneous combustion is to be found in the rapidity with which coal absorbs oxygen and heats. Dissemination throughout the rock of carbonaceous matter intimately mixed with finely divided pyrites is regarded as a determining factor in the production of fires in iron mines, yet despite the fact that the condi- tions of its occurrence are largely identical with those in a coal mine, many investigators protest against the inclusion of pyrites even as a contributory factor in coal mine fires. .A series of experiments was therefore devised to ascer- tain definitely the effect produced by the presence of iron pyrites on coal. As regards the question whether moist or dry air should be the oxidising medium, the weight of evidence seems to favour the view held at present in the mining world, namely, that moisture plays an important part in, and accelerates, the oxidation of the coal. It is considered, however, that an excessive amount of water retards spontaneous combustion in two ways. First, the water enters the pores of the coal, and so renders it less pervious to the air, and secondly, the temperature is kept low by evaporation. A moist atmosphere is practically essential for the oxidation of the iron pyrites, and the author judges that it would also be favourable for the oxidation of the coal. With a moist atmosphere, the coal would not become unduly wetted or dried, but would retain its natural moisture throughout the experiment. The experimental work was divided into two sections, the first dealing with the influence of iron pyrites on the oxidation of coal to carbon dioxide; and the second relating to the effect of iron pyrites on the absorption of oxygen by the coal. Iron Pyrites and Oxidation. In order to ascertain the influence of iron pyrites on the oxidation of coal to carbon dioxide, the oxidation products of (1) pyrites, (2) coal, (3) an artificial mix- ture of pyrites and coal, (4) ferrous sulphate, (5) a mixture of ferrous sulphate and coal, and (6) a mixture of sulphuric acid and coal, were determined. The coal used in the experiment was a specially selected sample of “ King ” coal from the Pemberton Colliery, near Wigan. In this seam of coal no case of spontaneous combustion has ever occurred. Owing to the possibility of the coal absorbing oxygen rapidly when freshly mined, this sample was kept from 1913 to 1915. In this way it was thought possible to have eliminated any uncontrollable factor which might have caused a variation in the coal between the experiments. Ultimate Analysis. Per cent. Carbon ........................ 76-020 Hvdrogen ..................... 5-076 Nitrogen ...................... 1-364 Sulphur ....................... 1-358 Ash ........................... 4-750 Oxygen, etc (by difference) ..... 11-432 MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE. A fortnight ago we reported the case of certain colliery teemsters, employed by the Seaham Harbour Dock Company, who, it was alleged, had been singled out for military service because they were prominent trades unionists—an allegation denied by the company. Last week, the military representa- tive at the local tribunal asked for the review of the cases of two other teemsters, suggesting that these men should serve, and their places be filled by two of the men whose exemption had been refused. Mr. Black, on the company’s behalf, strongly protested. The two men now wanted by the military were general utility men, and could not be spared. He would be the last man to single workmen out through any feeling. He never knew, until he read it in the papers, that one of the men without whom he could do was the president of the Enginemen’s Union. The tribunal, however, decided to withdraw the present certificates of the two exempted men and to substitute conditional exemption for a month. In the case of the two others, conditional exemption for three months was granted. Mr. Black was informed that he would have the opportunity of appealing again. At the same tribunal, the dock company applied for con- ditional exemption for six coal trimmers, but expressed readiness to spare two. The military representative objected to condit:onal exemption being granted. Two of the men had been passed for general service, and must report at once. The others could have three months, al wavs provided that the company was prepared to release general service men in one month in their places. The tribunal decided that the _____________________________ two general service men must go forward, and that the other four should be exempted for one month. The military representative at this tribunal applied for the review and cancellation of the existing certificate of a man, emploved in .the surveyor’s department of the Londonderry Coll’eries Limited, who had been passed for garrison duty at home, and was granted conditional exemption in July. It was stated that Mr. Claxton and the subject of the applica- tion were now doing the work hitherto divided amongst four men. The application of the military authorities was granted, but the chairman (Mr. Malcolm Dillon) expressed the tribunal’s regret at Jiaving to accede to the application. The Amble tribunal have disallowed the appeal of the Harbour Comissioners for two coal trimmers, although the clerk to the Commissioners informed the tribunal that the number of employees, originally 45, was now 28, the mimi- mum at which work could be carried on, and that these men were just as essential to the work of keening the collieries going as were the hewers themselves. The men had been passed for garrison duty abroad only. A ship owner, in respect to whose manager and accountant the Sunderland tribunal has granted conditional exemption, stated that he possessed five steamers, and had control of many others. Most of the vessels were chartered bv the Admiraltv, and 60,000 tons of coal annuallv were shipped from the Wear in these steamers. The Board of Trade wrote stating that the Department considered the manager indis- pensable to the business. At the Atherton tribunal, a coal merchant, 32 years of age, and single, in applying for exemption, said he had a large retail coal connection, which .was worked entirely by him- self.—Mr. Dootson (military representative) : What are you doing to help on the war?—Applicant : I don’t know that I am doing anything.—Mr. Dootson : What tackle have you got? A horse, lurry, and cart.—Adjourned to November 2. Newcastle tribunal has granted three months’ exemption, with leave to appeal again, to a coal merchant who stated that he supported out of his business a father and mother, both over 70 years of age, and a sister. He was advised to try to get someone in his place. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—No quotable change has occurred in any product, pilch. Nearest In some quarters there is a fairly good demand for In the North, creosote is inclined to be easier, values are :— Benzols, 90’s .... 90’s North ............... 50’s North ............... 1/Oi /10i—/Hi 1/3—1/4 2/3 3/4 1/3 Rise (+) or fail (-) on the week. Toluol ............................. Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) ...... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ............. ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ............. Tar (per ton ex works) ............ [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.’] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is uncertain. There is a good export demand, and business would be brisk if it were possible to give delivery, but the sudden quickening of the home demand threatens to accentuate export Prices are consequently variable, running to £18 North for forward. 2/2—2/3 1/10—1/11 /6i—/6f /2-/2| 16/—16/6 15/—15/6 15/6—19/6 prices are :— difficulties. 10s. in the Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) ... Beekton (25 per cent.) ____ Liverpool ................. Hull ..................... Middlesbrough ............ Scotch ports .............. Wales .................... Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey 'quality: allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] £17/17/6 £16/17/6 £17/18/9 £17/15 £17/13/9 £18—£18/5 £17/18/9 17/7J in bags, less 2^ per cent. -/li ______________________________ South African Coal Production.—Statistics recently issued by the South African Department of Mines show that the production of coal m the Union during the first half of this year amounted to 4.794,032 tons, of the value of £1.287,533. In the corresponding period last vear the quantity was 3,909,714 tons, value £998,383. 100-000 Proximate Analysis. Per cent. Coke ......................... 62-99 Ash .......................... 4-75 Moisture ...................... 1-329 Analysis of the Ash. Percent. Silica .......................... 38-72 Alumina ....................... 25-15 Iron sesquioxide ................ 21-87 Sulphate (S04) ................. 6-71 Lime .......................... 3-96 Magnesia ...................... trace Undetermined constituents ...... 3-59 ______ 100-00 Specific gravity of coal = 1-280. The pyrites was a selected sample, and was free from carbonates. Analysis of the Pyrites. Per cent. Silica ............................ 1-20 Iron ............................. 46-38 Sulphur .......................... 51-84 Copper ........................... trace _______ 99-42 Specific gravity of pyrites = 4-97. The pyrites thus contained an excess of 1’02 per cent, of iron, and if it is assumed that this excess is present in the pyrites as the sesquioxide, an additional 0*44 per cent, of oxygen is thereby introduced. This would bring the total for the analysis to 99-86. A finelv-divided sample of the pyrites was exposed to the air of the laboratory for three months. A micro- scopic examination then showed that about one-quarter * From the Journal of the Chemical Society.