July 2, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

29

COKE OVEN BY-PRODUCTS IN 1914.

Report Under the Alkali Works Act.

The 51st annual report on alkali, etc., works, as usual,
contains much useful information in regard to coke ovens.
We give below some extracts.

At the outset, the chief inspector (Mr. W. S. Curphey)
reports a still further increase in the number of sulphate and
muriate of ammonia and gas liquor works. During the
year the number of processes under inspection numbered
680, an increase of 31 over 1913. This increase is of varied
character, and was due to new registrations in gas works,
coke oven works, and producer gas works. Through the
courtesy of manufacturers, the inspector is enabled to present
figures showing, in terms of sulphate, the quantity of
ammonia recovered in the United Kingdom as a by-product

in the various industries	given in the	following	table :—
	1914.	1913.	1912.
	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Gas works 			 175,930 ...	182,180 ...	172,094
Iron works			 16,008 ...	19,956 ...	17,026
Shale works 			 62,749 ...	63,061 ...	62,207
Coke oven works			 137,430 ...	133,816 ...	104,932

Producer-gas & carbonising

works (bone and coal) ...	... 34,295 .	.. 33,605 .	.. 32,049
Total		.. 426,412 ..	. 432,618 ..	.. 388,308

The disturbing influence of the war has affected most of
these different groups of works, the only exception being the
shale works, which have remained very steady under the new
conditions as regards their production of sulphate. The
reduction in the case of the iron works is very marked,
amounting to nearly 20 per cent, on the production in 1913,
whilst the much smaller relative loss in production (3-4 per
cent.) from gas works liquor is an indication of the reduced
output of gas largely due .to the restrictions in out-of-doors
illumination in urban areas. The reduction from gas works
liquor must be regarded as really more serious than is repre-
sented by the net figure—the actual 3’4 per cent, observed—
as there were cases where sulphate of ammonia was recovered
for the first time from gas works liquor not previously
utilised, while the annual increase of production characteristic
of the gas industry during recent years would probably have
continued under normal conditions. Coke oven works and
producer gas, etc., works both show an increased production
over 1913, but it is most probable that this increase would
have been more marked had difficulties associated with the
war not led to delay in the completion and operation of
further recovery plant under construction.

The “direct” methods for manufacture of sulphate of
ammonia continued to give satisfaction both in coke oven
works and in those gas works where the newer style of
working has been introduced. In gas works there was
considerable extension. New plants of very great variation
in scale of operations were put into work or were in
course of construction at the end of ,the year. In the 50th
annual report reference was made to the claims of high
production in gas works by use of the “ direct ” process of
sulphate per ton of coal carbonised, but Mr. Curphey is not
yet in a position to give figures on a sufficiently wide basis
for comparison of the newer and older methods. It is to be
anticipated, however, that the “ direct ” process should give
higher yields per ton as compared with the older. How
much higher will depend to a large extent on the losses
previously incurred by imperfect scrubbing of the coal gas,
and in the handling and storage of liquor. In this latter
respect there are very wide variations in the practice followed
in different works. In some cases so much care is taken to
reduce to a minimum those losses which cannot be entirely
avoided, that little margin is left for gain by adoption of the
method of direct production of sulphate of ammonia by sub-
jecting the illuminating gas to the action of sulphuric acid,
but in other cases the losses are very considerable indeed,
although much improvement in this respect has been effected in
recent years owing to the repeated attention directed to this
subject by different writers in the technical Press, as well as
by these reports. This question of loss of ammonia is of the
greater moment the longer the ammoniacal liquor is stored
prior to distillation. In some of the smaller works it is the
custom to collect the production of liquor over a lengthened
period—amounting to months in some cases—in order to
obtain a quantity sufficient to keep the ammonia still in
operation for a week or two, and so permit of its economic
use, as much heat is lost at the starting and stopping of
ordinary continuous distillation plants. In such cases, not
only is there more opportunity of loss of ammonia compounds
from the gas liquor, but there is also the tendency for the
sulphur compounds present to oxidise through the influence
of the air. The practical effect of this is to increase the
proportion of “ fixed ” ammonia, as distinguished from the
“ volatile ” ammonia, and so to necessitate an increased con-
sumption of lime or alkali for the complete removal of the
ammonia present in the liquor. A layer of suitable oil
covering the surface of the ammoniacal liquor when in the
storage tanks should have the double effect of hindering the
escape of ammonia and the oxidation of sulphur compounds,
and is worthy of attention where storage is prolonged, as
giving increased yield of sulphate of ammonia with less
consumption of lime or alkali.

The standard quality of British sulphate of ammonia has
been the subject of discussion in the circles interested, some
of the sulphate produced in this country prior to the war
being said by foreign consumers to compare unfavourably to
a marked degree with the product received from Germany.
The Sulphate of Ammonia Association has issued directions
as to the conditions best calculated to ensure a satisfactory
product, but there is wide room for enquiry and research on
the seemingly simple question of manufacture of sulphate of
ammonia with the object of getting the best product at low
costs.

The question of efficient production is one which is likely
to become more prominent as advance is made in the domain
of synthetic nitrogenous fertiliser products, with attendant
reduced costs, increased production, and more severe com-
petition. This aspect of the question is one well worth
attention now, apart from the questions of education as to
advantageous utilisation, of commercial distribution, and
opening of new markets, which have already been taken up
with advantage, as all these must rest on the basis of a
product high in quality and sufficiently low in cost. It is
one which can, with the most hopeful expectations and most
general advantage, be taken up by centralised effort.

The preparation of sulphate of ammonia without the direct
use of sulphuric acid by the utilisation of the sulphur com-
pounds existing in crude coal gas, referred to in previous
reports, was not brought into practical working during the
year, but it continued to receive attention, and satisfactory
progress is still anticipated by the patentees.

It is of interest to note that in 1914 the town of Middlesbro’
arranged that its supply of illuminating gas should be
supplied from a coke oven works in its vicinity : This has
been effected and maintained since the month of October
until the end of the year without difficulty, the operations in
the gas works being limited to the purification of the crude
gas prior to distribution amongst the consumers.

The number of registered tar works further increased
during 1914 by 13, to a total of 205. This increase was due
to new plant being erected to deal with tar produced in gas
works, coke oven works, and producer gas works. Operations
in many cases were seriously affected during the later months
of the year owing to the influence of war conditions on export
of tar products, and of materials in the preparation of which
tar products are used. The production of patent fuel in South
Wales was very irregular, and stocks of pitch accumulated
at one time in different parts of the country.

Improvements in plant for tar distillation were brought
into more extended operation during the year, with the view
of increasing efficiency in production and reducing costs.
Prominent among these were the increased utilisation of the
hot vapours rising from tar during distillation, for heating a
fresh charge of crude tar, and thus obtaining a preliminary
separation of water and naphtha, and the more extended use
of continuous distillation plant for production of pitch and
volatile products.

No new methods were brought into operation for disposing
of the noxious gases evolved in these works; those previously
in use continued to be effective and satisfactory.

Mr. J. W. Young, chief inspector for Scotland, reports
that the production of sulphate of ammonia was decidedly
less in 1914 than in 1913. This was due to the marked
reduction in recovery from blastfurnace gases in the iron
smelting industry. The comparative figures are :—Gas
works, 736 tons increase; iron works, 3,851 tons decrease;
shale works, 312 tons decrease; producer gas, etc., works,
39 tons increase. The large decrease in iron works produc-
tion is equivalent to 20’7 per cent, of the production in 1913.
It more than neutralises the increased production of 2,693
tons reported for that year. The shale works figure is a
reduction of rather less than the half of 1 per cent., and is
not of important significance. The negligible increase of 39
tons recorded for producer gas, etc., works is not attributable
to any increase in utilisation of coal in the various works of
this group, but coincides with the commencement of recovery
o>f ammonia and other by-products from peat. The utilisa-
tion of this raw material is receiving attention in different
countries, and a wide field is open to a process yielding com-
mercially successful results. The increased production from
gas works liquor is worthy of note when the conditions of
external urban illumination consequent upon the war are
remembered. The gas industry in Scotland, if measured by
its sulphate of ammonia production, would appear to be in a,
vigorous condition. As yet little progress has been made as
regards the adoption of the “ direct ” process in the treat-
ment of gas liquor.

EFFECT OF THE WAR ON THE FRENCH
COAL MINING INDUSTRY.

Annual Report of the Central Committee of French Collieries.

Owing to the peculiar situation created by the war, the
report is not presented in its usual form, but recapitulates
the effect of the invasion of the eastern coal fields and the
mobilisation, the influence of the war on credit, and the
supply of material, and the incidence of Government requisi-
tions. Since August 25, Valenciennes has been in the
hands of the enemy, and since the battle of the Marne
fighting has been going on along the line between Bethune
on the one hand and Lens and Lidvin on the other, so that
about three-quarters of the coal basin in that district has
been cut off, and the total output of coal reduced by 50 per
cent., the production of coke and by-products being affected
even more seriously. Although the mobilisation regulations
provided for the exemption of miners of more tnan six
months’ standing, many of them were unprovided with the
necessary exemption papers, and had to join the Colours;
and it was only after prolonged correspondence that the War
Ministry issued a scheme (in March) to enable those not
actually at the front to return to work. A very large pro-
portion of the mining engineers, too, were officer® in the
Reserve, and their calling up concentrated responsibility on
the insufficient number left, each of whom, however, has
done his best to carry out almost overwhelming duties; but
it is regarded as little short of marvellous that the number of
mining accidents has been so comparatively small. By
great effort, supplemented by Government assistance, it has
been found possible to bring back to work about 4,500
experienced miners, serving as Territorials, and attempts
are still being made to increase this number. Some 3,000
miners have also been secured from among the French and
Belgian refugees.

The fear of a demoralisation of credit led to a considera-
tion of a scheme for issuing cash bonds and small paper
money to be issued under the guarantee of the mines; but,
fortunately, the restoration of confidence enabled these
measures to be abandoned. In consequence of the incon-
venience of the various moratoria, the assistance of the
Bank of France was invoked and freely granted; but this
has been utilised with the greatest discretion, and could
soon be dispensed with.

The closing of the enemy frontier, and the invasion of Bel-
gium and North-eastern France, shut out a number of
sources of mining material and supplies, such as strips of
caps for automatic re-lighters, safety lamps and lamp
glasses. With regard to the first of these, the Govern-
ment tried to make the article, but, discouraged by certain
difficulties, has granted permission (under its monopoly)
for their manufacture by a firm at St. Etienne. In the case
of explosives, too, new means have had to be adopted for
obtaining a supply; but the types will be different from
those previously in use, and new regulations will be issued.
Pit timber has risen considerably in price, and the Com-
mittee has intervened to secure exemption from military
service of the men necessary to keep the supply of this
material going. Should the situation become more serious,
proposals of an exceptional character will be laid before the
Government.

A large proportion of the coal output has been requisi-
tioned by the State, and paid for three-quarters in cash and
one-quarter in Treasury bonds. Moreover, the disposal of
the remainder has been subject to the consent of the Govern-
ment, which has adopted two means of procedure—viz., by
requisition at a fixed price, and by invitation to give
preference—either at market price or at rates to be settled
by agreement—to consumers whom the authorities consider

should, in the national interest, come first in the matter of
coal supplies. The fixing of requisition prices has not
raised any serious difficulties, although these prices have
been less than the commercial rate; but the coal industry
has not attempted to make special profits out of the national
crisis, and the Government has shown a disposition—though
not a very strong one—to take into consideration the
growing increase in the cost of production. On the other
hand, the committee is of opinion that the mobilisation
regulations, which were based on the assumption of a short
war, are not adapted to a war of denudation, and that the
interests of private consumers and manufacturers are being
sacrificed too much to those of the.enterprises, whose prime
importance is undoubtedly in. connection with the national
defence, but who are, from their strength, geographical
position, and the profits they are making, better able to
obtain supplies from other sources. It has therefore urged
the Government to relax the system of requisition and privi-
leged consumption by degrees, and gradually allow an
approximate return to the normal freedom of trading in
coal. In the meantime, the coal industry has done every-
thing in its power to increase the output in accordance with
the national requirements, so that the production, which at
first dropped to about 60 per cent, of the normal, has been
increased every month, and in some cases is now again at
par, and even over. Coal is being produced at a rate
equivalent to 20 million tons per annum, and although this
is less than 50 per cent, of the normal output, the con-
sumption seems to have declined to such an extent that (a®
before) only 20 million tons require to be imported. At
present, England is the only source from which this supply
could be obtained, and a number of circumstances have
combined to check this supply and increase the price to
about 20 fr. per ton above that of French coal.

The report also pays a tribute to the memory of Artillery
Capt. Dautriche, head of the explosives department at the
Litvin testing station, and Corpl. Cauvin, for many years
on the secretarial staff of the committee, both of whom have
lost their lives in the war.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—June 4.

Before Lord Parker, Lord Sumner, Lord Parmoor, and
Lord Wrenbury.

Demurrage Dispute.

Central Argentine Railway Limited v. Mar wood.—A writ
was issued by the respondent, Christopher Marwood, of
Whitby, part-owner of the s.s. “ Goathland,” claiming £238
for demurrage of the “ Goathland ” in discharging a cargo
of coal loaded at Barry Dock. The vessel proceeded from
Barry Dock to Villa Constitucion, near Buenos Ayres, for
the purpose of discharging the cargo of coal, but when she
arrived a strike was in existence among the railway engine
drivers and stokers, and this continued from January 6 to
February 15, 1913. For part of the time, however, there
was a partial resumption of work on board four steamers,
and the question for decision was whether for a period of 6|
days, or 75 working hours, the “ Goathland,” or the appel-
lants (the Central Argentine Railway Company) were
responsible for the demurrage. Mr. Justice Pickford gave
judgment for the appellants, but the Court of Appeal ordered
this judgment to be wholly set aside, and directed judgment
to be entered for the respondent for £238.

Their lordships came to the conclusion that the Court of
Appeal was right, and dismissed the appeal of the railway
company with costs.

„ SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE.
COURT OF APPEAL.—June 3.

Workmen’s Compensation : Neglect to Claim.

Luckie v. Merry.—This appeal raised the question what
is “ reasonable cause ” for not making a claim under the
Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1906. It was an appeal from
an award of the judge of the Lambeth County Court, sitting
as an arbitrator under the Act. The applicant was a horse-
keeper with the respondent. On October 31, 1913, the
applicant crushed his fingers badly. He went to his master,
who told him that he might “ potter about the factory until
he was better.” He was paid his full wages. He stayed
with the respondent till June 13, 1914, when he was practi-
cally doing his old work again, except the grooming of
horses. He was then dismissed for misconduct not con-
nected with the accident. The fingers of his hand were
stiffened, and if he had originally made a claim under the
Act he would have been entitled to compensation. It was
found by the learned county court judge that no claim was
ever made till after the dismissal. The county court judge
was of opinion that by reason of two decisions in Irish cases,
Healy v. Galloway, and Lynch v. Marquess of Lansdowne,
he was bound to hold that payment of wages by an employer
after the accident was not a reasonable cause within section 2
(1) (5) of the Act for not making a claim. He therefore
made an award in favour of the respondent.

The applicant appealed, which the court allowed.

The Master of the Rolls, in his judgment, said “ reason-
able ” must, of course, be reasonable with reference to the
workman himself. It was hard to appreciate how, from the
employer’s point of view, it could be of great importance
that the notice of claim should be given within six months.
It was very different from notice of accident, the importance
of which to the master was clear. Looking at the facts of
the present case, his lordship would have said without hesi-
tation, apart from authority, that there was reasonable cause
why the workman should not say that he made no claim at
the moment, but that there might be future events in which
he would make a claim. His lordship thought that the two
Irish cases did not warrant the learned county court judge
in the conclusion at which he had arrived. The first of these
cases was Healy v. Galloway. That was a case under the
old law, which did not allow the plea of reasonable cause.
The decision of the court in that case was that the mere fact
that the employer had paid wages after the accident was not
such a circumstance as amounted to a waiver by the
employer of the necessity of making a claim, or, to put it in
another way, was not a foundation for an estoppel to prevent
the master from asserting that no claim had been made.
There was nothing at all about reasonable cause in that case.
Then came the case of Lynch v. Masquess of Lansdowne.
In that case, with the greatest respect to the Court of Appeal
in Ireland, they seemed to have misunderstood Healy v.
Galloway, and to have treated it as deciding a point which
could not have been raised in that case. His lordship was far
from saying that in all circumstances payment of wages