September 6, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 507 BROWN COAL FOR STEAM RAISING. According to a report in De Ingenieur, the Van den Berg factory of Rotterdam have conducted a series of trials with brown coal for steam raising. The first, which was carried out with 100 tons of brown coal, resulted in failure, notwithstanding careful prepara- tion and stoking; for, in spite of a good natural draught (19 metres per minute) and the use of forced draught, alternately and combined, no • satisfactory combustion of the coal could be obtained. On report- ing the disappointing result to the National Coal Bureau, that Department urged another trial, which was made with a parcel of 370 tons and yielded much better results. In view of this latter result under the same conditions as regards the boilers, it is presumed that the first 100 tons must have been of very in- ferior quality. The conditions under which the first parcel was burned do not appear to have been recorded, but they were carefully noted in the case of the second parcel, which came from the Carisborg mine. The tests were made with six Lancashire boilers, each with 315 square metres of heating sur- face and 4-4 square metres of grate surface. The whole installation includes eight boilers with super- heaters and economiser. The requisite unheated air was delivered by two fans of 80,000 cubic metres air capacity per hour. The analysis of the brown coal showed 56-39 per cent, moisture, 6’73 per cent, ash, and 24-26 per cent, volatile matter, the heating value being 2,486 calories per kilog. The flue gas analyses show a considerable fluctuation, for though the CO2 content averages 10-3 per cent., the individual values vary between 6 and 14 per cent. It is therefore concluded that profitable firing with brown coal depends chiefly on the good will and expe- rience of the stoker; the more so as if the fire is not kept up properly the quantity consumed amounts to three times that of hard coal. Brown coal of the above quality forms a good fuel for steam raising under favourable conditions, pro- vided that the stoker is capable and attends to the fire regularly; and with the class of Lancashire boilers in question and the draught specified, sufficient can be burned to give an almost normal boiler output. According to the experience gained in these trials, the air supply must be regulated so that the draught above the grate is raised, and under these conditions a minimum of flue dust is produced. The average of 10*3 per cent. CO2 in the flue gases shows a good rate of combustion, and it is possible to obtain a per- centage of 14 per cent, with brown coal. In view of the results of the tests, the works have decided to use brown coal for the boilers, as there is every reason to be satisfied as regards steam production. Tabulated data show that the duration of the tests varied between 2| and 7J hours. The fuel consump- tion varied between 6,855 and 20,405 kilogs., and the hourly quantity stoked ranged between 1,135 and 10,202 kilogs., averaging 1,434 kilogs. The fuel con- sumption per hour per square metre of grate was from 258 to 383 kilogs.—average, 325 kilogs. The feed water evaporated was between 14,192 and 50,458 kilogs., and the hourly evaporation was between 1,840 and 25,229 kilogs—average, 3,307-5 kilogs. The temperature of the feed water was from 39 to 62-3 degs Cent., and the steam pressure from 9-57 to 10-5 kilogs. per sq. cm. ; steam temperature, 182-45 to 186 4 degs. Cent. ; total heat per kilog. of steam, 662-1 to 663-4 cal.; tempera- ture of superheater, 250 to 352 degs. Cent. THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE. Coal production is high and car supply good, states the Coal Age, August 8. The problem is still one of transportation rather than production. It has been fairly well demonstrated that if the mines are supplied with cars they are, as a rule, able to turn out a heavy output and one well up to the needs of the country. One incident, small in itself but which may be far- reaching in its results, was the closing of four small mines in the Pittsburg district because they shipped dirty coal. At Hampton Roads the coal available is sufficient for the bottoms that report, and latterly there have been no serious cases of detention. Aside from routine shipments on contract it is extremely difficult to arrange for cargoes. Reports from the mining regions indicate a good car- supply in West Virginia, with labour satisfied and willing to work to keep up production. In Central Pennsylvania cars are reported as not up to require- ments. Labour is short, but efforts are being made to keep up production. Representatives of the fuel administration are continually at work checking up the working time of each miner and asking those who seem to be lax to sign a card promising to do their best to keep up production. Reports prepared by the Central Pennsylvania Coal Producers’ Association show that there has already been a loss of 6 3 per cent, in the number of miners, loaders, cutters, and scrapers in Central Pennsylvania, and that if the draft boards continue to call to the Colours the skilled employees about the mines, who are in Class 1 and those who registered on June 5 of this year, there will be a further depletion of 4 3 per cent. The working over of old dumps at coke works has increased to such an extent that the Fuel Administra- tion has fixed a price on the material, when it is cleaned and otherwise prepared, but not sized, the price7 being 1 dol. under the foundry coke price, which makes it 6 dols. in the case of Connellsville. Crushed coke, fixed long ago at 7 30 dols. for sizes over 1 in., the screen being recently changed to f- in., is assumed by the trade to include these old screenings also, if they are sized, coke under f in. being by regulation 1 dol. under blast furnace coke, or 5 dols. in the case of Connellsville. Coke breeze was recently fixed at half the blast furnace coke price, which make 3 dols. for Connellsville. An excellent trade has been developed for the material obtained from the old dumps. Notes from the Coal Fields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Question of Joint Committees—Utilising Nitre Cake— Extension of Tinplate Works—Neglect of Precautions —Food Supplies—National Kitchens—Payment of Hauliers. The difficulty which has arisen in forming joint commit- tees at the pits for dealing with absenteeism and otherwise facilitating output has led the Coal Controller to suggest a conference between the Coalowners’ Association and the Miners’ Federation in order that agreement may be reached. Mr. Finlay Gibson, secretary of the association, has published a letter commenting on incorrect and mis- leading statements as to the employers’ attitude. He points out that they were not parties to the agreement between the Government and the Federation concerning establish- ment of these committees; nor were the coal owners’ organisations consulted. Upon receipt of a letter from the Coal Controller relating to the formation of output and absentee committees at the collieries the Federation execu- tive appointed a sub-committee, with instructions to draft rules for submission to the employers’ side of the Con- ciliation Board. The late Lord Rhondda established and took special interest in a research laboratory at Glamorgan Colliery, which forms part of the Cambrian Combine. It is now announced from that laboratory that the results of certain experiments, carried out upon direct request from the Government, have been entirely successful. One of the residues from munition and other works is nitre cake; and request was made that investigation should be made as to the practicability of utilising the nitre cake in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia. The output of nitre cake amounts to tens of thousands of tons, and the Glamorgan Colliery process enables this waste product to be used in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia, taking the place of sulphuric acid. This is only one phase of the recovery work in progress at this establishment. The new manager of Blaenavon Steelworks is Mr. D. J. Thomas, who comes from the Burry Works (now under Government control), formerly Richard Thomas and Co., Mr. Thomas having been with that firm for many years. The leading firm of tin platers in South Wales—Messrs. Richard Thomas and Co., who are also owners of steel works—are making considerable extension of their under- takings. Continuous development of colliery enterprise in Mon- mouthshire, combined with the extensions of local industry, have greatly added to the prosperity of Newport. The housing committee of the Corporation has had to consider a scheme for building a thousand houses. With the cost of the land, it is estimated that as much as <£400,000 outlay will be incurred, Government assistance in finance being requisite. An outbreak of fire at the Pontnewydd Tinplate Works proved very destructive, occasioning several thousands of pounds damage. About a hundred employees are thrown out of work temporarily. By a fall of roof at Nixon’s No. 1 pit, Merthyr Vale, Mr. J. Mason, under-manager, has sustained fracture of the leg and dislocation of the ankle. A fine of <£30, with ten guineas costs, has been imposed by the Blackwood magistrates upon G. Jones, colliery manager, who was convicted of embezzlement at the instance of the Penmain Company, his employers. Other charges were preferred, and defendant pleaded guilty to one of stealing <£10, money received for stamps for insur- ance cards. As to the latter, the plea on his behalf was . that it was purely an oversight, due to his being over- worked and to his having met with an accident which hampered him in discharge of his duties. Cardiff and Newport Patent Fuel Company, prosecuted at Newport for failure in precautions for life-saving at their Rhoswen Wharf, were fined <£7. They had neglected provision for rescue from drowning, and the manager stated in court that their life-buoys had been stolen. They were also convicted of failure to enter in a register the particulars as to chains used in loading a vessel. Regarding the alleged food shortage, the Food Commis- sioner for South Wales (Mr. R. J. Rhys) is very emphatic, describing the whole situation as “ ridiculous.” He states that “ So far as I know, there has been nothing more than the normal complaints of a shortage. It is true the allow- ance of tea is only 2 oz. per head per week, and that butter is not so plentiful as it was, and that people have to put up with margarine; but these conditions are general.” At a meeting of Nantyglo Food Committee one speaker asserted that there would be strong protest against Mr. Rhys’s statements. Members of that committee were being continually called upon by the men to explain the shortage. Further disclosures lead to the conclusion that some shortages have been due to deliveries of bad food. At Nantyglo last week a consignment of over 400 lb. of cheese was condemned as unfit for food, and out of 673 lb. of meat 526 lb. was bad. To the Mardy lodge of miners it was reported that a quantity of meat in an advanced stage of decomposition had been sent to a local retailer. The Food Controller has notified the Coal Controller that he was issuing last week a month’s supply of cheese, distributed on the basis of consumption in each locality during 1916 ; and that it would be delivered to retailers as promptly as transport facilities permit. He added : “ The South Wales mining areas are at present being par- ticularly well looked after in the matter of cheese sup- plies. The scheme for distribution of Caerphilly cheese, which has just come into operation, provides for the bulk of this cheese going into that area, in addition to quan- tities of imported cheese and home cheese of the hard type. The Caerphilly cheese distribution for the current week to the South Wales mining area amounts to 200 per cent, of the applications received from retailers based on their sales in 1916.” A novel scheme has been suggested for getting over the food difficulty, and that is the establishment of workmen’s co-operative kitchens at the pit head, these to be on the lines of the National Restaurants. The men would bring their own bread and butter, and would be supplied with meat pies, potatoes, sausages, and cooked fish to take down the pit with them, the scheme to be worked in conjunction with the National Kitchens, the Government finding any necessary capital and also arranging for adequate supplies of food. The matter is to come before the executive of the Miners Federation, it being proposed that a joint com- mittee of employers and workmen should manage any canteens which would be established. The Bristol Channel Institute of Shipbrokers and the South Wales Committee for the Supply of Coal to France and Italy sent a joint deputation to the Ship Licensing Committee in London and also to the Coal Commission of the French Government. Their object is to secure modification of restrictions upon British sailing vessels to French northern and Bay ports. The Shipbrokers’ Insti- tute was represented by Messrs. F. Mules and J. Tyrrel, with Mr. A. D. Morgan (secretary), and the Committee for Supply of Coal was represented by Mr. W. P. Seward and Mr. R. M. Stewart (secretary of the London execu- tive). The deputation was informed that the matter would have careful consideration. One suggestion to facilitate output is that the old practice should be resumed of hauliers underground being paid half a turn to bring out coal left in full trams in the colliers’ stalls at the end of the shift, replacing them with empty trams, and should be made general. This, it is argued, would enable the colliers to start filling coal immediately they return to the stall, instead of having to wait for empty trams. Further, it is proposed that Sunday night shifts should be established generally to clear the falls, so that the coal hewer should not be obliged on Monday morning to fill rubbish instead of cutting and filling coal. Northumberland and Durham. The extent to which a fall of stone may displace timber- ing was illustrated at the inquest at Ryhope touching the death of a miner who had been killed by such a fall in the local colliery. A deputy overman stated that the fall was due to a big slip which could not have been detected beforehand. The slip had a feather edge. Two sets of gears and a middle plank, two props with head-trees on the left side, and two props and a pair of gears on the right 'side, all well up to the face, were knocked out by the fall. At another such inquest, held at Durham City, the phenomena resulting in falls of stone was further explained. In this case, a stone known as a “following stone,” about 15 in. thick, had come away without warning and covered the miner. It was afterwards found that there had been a “ jack” right across the face and another almost at right angles just above a chock which had been placed at a point where the hewers had holed through. The stone had broken off at that point. Coroner Graham expressed sorrow that, despite all the technical- knowledge, such accidents still occurred. Officials and men were taken in again and again by these treacherous stones, and he was afraid that, as long as coal mining continued, they would be subject to that sort of occurrence. It was rather humiliating that, in these days of advanced knowledge in mining, they could not get over that difficulty. It was stated that the accident, which occurred in the Busty Seam of Durham Main Colliery, was only the second reportable accident that had occurred since the present manager, Mr. W. C. Murray, came four and a half years ago. The Coroner remarked that it was a good record, and Mr. Murray said it showed the men were careful as well as the officials. The Haydon Bridge Coal Company Limited announces that, as from September 2, it has placed in the hands of Messrs. Armstrong, Lord and Company, Newcastle, the entire sale of its Whitechapel coal for shipment. The coal named is used at many local works and also for bunkering purposes. North Wales. Owing to a clerical error, the thickness of the main coal seam at Coed Talon, Flint, owned by the Welsh Coal and Cannel Co., Limited, was understated in our last issue. This well-known seam is 14 ft. thick, and it has been recovered after serious water difficulties were overcome. The formal opening will take place to-morrow (Saturday). Kent. The amount of coal raised at Tilmanstone Colliery last week was 2,630 tons, a substantial increase on the previous week. The negotiations for the development of the Kent coal- field, which have been in progress for some time past, have reacted in a very favourable manner on the shares of the East Kent Light Railways, constructed mainly for the pur- pose of dealing with the mineral traffic from the collieries. Scotland, At the annual meeting of the North British Association of Gas Managers in Glasgow, the president, Mr. R. Muir;, said in the course of his presidential address that it was not the circumstances of the present moment that caused the greatest anxiety but the prospect of a real scarcity in the coming winter. So far as the coal stocks in Scottish gasworks were concerned, he was able to give the follow- ing official quantities : October, 1917, 305,494 tons; July, 1918, 129,141 tons; reduction of stocks, 176,353 tons. It would thus be seen that the stocks of coal at gasworks at this time were less than half what they were in October, 1917, or a reduction equal to 58 per cent. The danger of a failure