862

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

April 26, 1918.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late
for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last
White pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Carlisle, April 30.—Coal (12 months) for the Gas
Committee. Forms from the engineer, Gasworks, Carlisle.

Cork, May 1.—400 tons Lancashire or Welsh large steam
coal for the Harbour Commissioners. Forms from the
engineer, Custom House, Cork.

Falkirk, May 6.—Coal and dross for the Poorhouse.
Forms from the Governor.

Hyde, May 1.—Steam coal and pitch (6 or 12 months)
for the Stores Committee of the Corporation. Forms from
the borough surveyor, Town Hall.

Leith, May 6.—9,000 or 18,000 tons of washed singles
(six or twelve months). Forms from the Burgh Electrical
Engineer, Great Junction-street, Leith.

Limerick, May 6.—10,000 or 12,000 best screened and
unscreened gas coal. Forms from the engineer, Gasworks,
Limerick.

Northwich, May 11.—9,000 tons screened gas coal for
the Gas Company. Forms from the secretary, Gas Office,
Northwich.

Port Talbot, May 11.—Coal for baths, offices, etc.
Forms from the clerk, Margam U.D. Council Offices, Port
Talbot.

Richmond (Surrey), May 7.—Steam coal, house coal
(12 months) for Richmond Main Sewerage Board. Forms
from the engineer, West Hall-road, Kew Gardens.

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can
be received.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

Glasgow, May 4.—Pii.es.—250 tons cast iron pipes for
the Corporation. Forms from the engineer, Water Depart-
ment, 45, John-street, Glasgow.	"

Johannesburg, June 3.—Tar.—16,000 tons of coal tar
for Johannesburg Municipal Council. Specifications may
be seen at the Enquiry Office, Overseas Trade Department
(Development and Intelligence', 73, Basinghall-street,
London, E C.

London, May 24. — Plant. — 5,000 kw. steam turbine,
water-tube boilers, coal conveyor, etc., for the Islington
Borough Council. Forms (<£2 2s.) from the electrical
engineer, 50, Eden-grove, Holloway.

Sheerness, May IS.—Pipes.—Steel and wrought iron
pipes, two boiler-feed pumps, etc., for the Urban District
Council. Forms (21s.) from F. W. S. Stanton, 3, Victoria-
street, Westminster.

CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS RECEIVED.

James W. Carr and Company Limited (35, Queen
Victoria-street, London, E.C.).—A booklet on machine
shop accessories deals with an extensive range of require-
ments and is very useful for reference. This list of
machine tool accessories does not comprise the whole of
the firm’s activities. Another catalogue is devoted to
small tools, of which micrometers and calliper gauges are
examples. Other lines include belting, packings, tool
steel, and general supplies for engineers.

Clayton and Company, Huddersfield, Limited.—We
have received a copy of a small folder which is being
distributed to the trade, and which is also handed to
visitors to Harrier Works, Huddersfield. It gives a plan
of the works, and shows how the vehicle passes from
one stage to another in process of manufacture, and it
also briefly outlines the firm’s history. From the illus-
tration on the front, it can be seen that the usual numerals
on the clock face are replaced by twelve letters, making
the words “ karrier works,” and the hands, at the
particular time when the photograph was taken, pointed
respectively to o.k., i.e., “ All Correct.” On the back is
an illustration of a chassis completed ready for body, and
also complete with flat body and cab.

Ed. Bennis and Company Limited (Little Hulton,
Bolton, and 28, Victoria-street, Westminster).—The new
catalogue on coal and ash plant is excellently illustrated
on good paper. Four sections are detailed. The first
deals with elevators of various types for coal transport,
the second with coal storage, the third with ash transport,
and the fourth with shell transport. Of. course, con-
veyors of these different kinds are not limited to the
specific uses indicated, but can be used for the cheap and
efficient handling of other goods in hulk. The “Bennis ”
steel link conveyor furnishes an instance of this adapt-
ability, and its application to coal conveying. illustrates
its efficiency. This conveyor consists of a chain built of
mild steel links, each bent in the form of a U. The lower
part of the chain moves inside a rectangular trough, and
carries the coal with it. Openings are placed in the
bottom of the trough, through which the coal drops into
the bunkers or stoker hoppers. Strength, simplicity,
flexibility, and economy in working are among the
advantages claimed. Other interesting designs include
bucket elevators and conveyors, gravity bucket system,
portable elevators, band conveyors, steelworks conveyors,
scroll conveyors, barge unloading conveyors, and travel-
ling electric transporters—all specially applicable for coal
transport. The section devoted to truck tipplers, end
tipplers, coaling towers, bunkers and crushers, appeals
strongly to every practical man. A copy of the catalogue
will be sent to any reader on application to the firm’s
Publicity Department, 28, Victoria-street, Westminster.

German-Swedish Coal Agreement.—The negotiations for
a new coal agreement between Germany and Sweden have
now been completed. The old agreement is to remain in
force until July 1. A new agreement has been concluded,
but the details are not yet available.

Gas Works Retort Carbon, Etc., Control Order.—An
Order of the Minister of Munitions, dated April 19, pro-
vides that until further notice no person may use, or
trade in, gas works retort carbon, coke oven carbon, or
pitch coke., without a permit. The Order of January 10,
1917, relating thereto, is cancelled, but the previous opera-
tion of that Order, or the validity of any action taken
thereunder, or the liability to any penalty in respect of
contravention, prior to cancellation, is not affected.
Applications for permits should be addressed to the Con-
troller, Non-Ferrous Materials Supply, M.S./R/C.L.,
Ministry of Munitions, 8, Northumberland-avenue, W.C. 2.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

101219. Method for Preventing the Choking up of Gas
Plant. A. Riedel, Kossern, near Grimma, Saxony.—
During the dry distillation of coal it frequently happens
that deposits, consisting mainly of ammonium chloride,
mixed, it may be with ammonium carbonate, which are
in the highest degree prejudicial to the proper working
of the condensers, are formed in the mains and other
points of the apparatus; and in order to avoid such
obstructions, it has hitherto been usual to make use of
wet processes, in which the ammonium compounds in
question are carried away in a partially aqueous solution.
According to the present invention, however, there is
adopted a method which is practically the converse of
this, since it consists in causing the whole of the nitrogen
present to. assume a form in which it can easily be pre-
cipitated in the condenser, and can consequently be
separated at once in a comparatively pure condition,
whereby the necessity for the somewhat complicated treat-
ment of the ammoniacal liquor is at the same time
avoided. For this purpose the fixed nitrogen is converted
into ammonium chloride by the addition of chlorides
to the material to be gasified. The temperature of
sublimation of ammonium chloride is about 450 degs.
Cent., and it is consequently quite easy, by means of
fractional condensation, to separate it from the gases
in a comparatively pure state, together with a small
quantity . of sulphur. All that is necessary to this end
is to maintain the pipes leading from the retort or dis-
tiller to the condensing apparatus, by insulation and, if
necessary, by means of heat, at a temperature somewhat-
above 450 degs. Cent., and to reduce the temperature
of the condenser itself to below 450 degs. Cent., in order
to ensure that only ammonium chloride and sulphur shall
remain, as a condensation product, in a state the degree
of purity of which will vary according to the conditions
prevailing. The chlorides used, which are more particu-
larly magnesium chloride or calcium chloride, should be
thoroughly mixed with the charge in such proportion that
the chloride corresponds to the quantity of free nitrogen
in the coal. (Three claims.)

104683. Improvements in Pressure Reducing Valves.
Dragerwerk, Heinr. and Bernh. Drager, 53, Moislinger-
alle.e, Lubeck, Germany.—The present invention relates
to improvements in pressure reducing valves of the kind
in which the pressure on one side of a diaphragm is
automatically regulated by an auxiliary reducing valve.
According to the present invention, a socket passes through
the diaphragm through which passes the gas under pres-
sure—-as has been proposed in spring-loaded pressure
reducing valves—whereby when the pressure of gas
becomes too high the diaphragm is moved back against
the pressure from the auxiliary reducing valve, the socket
then shutting off the gas until such time as the pressure
again becomes normal. The invention also consists in
the provision of a gas-tight stuffing box guiding the
socket. (Three claims.)

105767. Apparatus for Loading Loose Materials from
Bulk. . A. Grand jean, 235, rue Lafayette, Paris.—This
invention has for its object to provide an improved
apparatus for loading from bulk in a continuous and
automatic manner, all kinds of loose materials, in powder,
or in more or less small pieces, such as sand, pebbles,
ore, coal, etc., for the purpose of loading same into-
trucks, wagons, carts, and other transporting devices.
The improved apparatus is characterised chiefly by the
feature that it. comprises a gathering device consisting
of a fixed basin, which, during the loading, occupies
an inclined position, and penetrates with its lower edge
into the materials to be loaded. In this basin there is
adapted to revolve a rotary shovel, which is power-
driven, and consists of .a number of radial blades integral
with each other. This rotary shovel is arranged to
efigage the materials to be loaded, which fall by gravitv
into the lower part of the basin, and to lift the said
materials to the upper part of. the basin. The basin is
pierced with an aperture at this place in such a manner
that the lifted, materials can drop on to a conveyor of
any type. This gathering device is mounted, together
with the conveyor, on a frame fitted with wheels. On
the said frame there is also mounted preferably a picking
device, designed to cause the materials to slide down into
the. basin, this, picking device comprising an arm of
variable inclination, carrying at its outer end rotary claws
or hooks. (Three claims.)

106086. Production of Explosive Compositions. The
Commercial Research Company, Jackson-avenue and
Honey well-street, Long Island City, New York, assignees
of H. Hibbert, Melton Institute of Industrial Research,
University of Pittsburg.—This invention consists in a
new method of producing explosive compositions contain-
ing nitrated carbohydrates in mixture with a nitrated
1-2 glycol, either with or without nitroglycerine, and in
the products obtained by carrying out this method. The
said invention also consists in explosive compositions con-
taining carbohydrates conitrated with a mixture of 1-2
glycols, or with a poly glycol, or a mixture of poly glycols,
or with a mixture of such glycols and poly glycols, to
which conitrated product nitroglycerine mav be added, or
if desired, the glycerine may be mixed with the glycols
and nitrated with the other constituents of the solvent,
and consists also in methods of producing such explosive
compositions. The carbohydrate is dissolved in a medium
consisting of the glycol, glycols or/and polyglycols afore-
said, and the resulting solution is then nitrated to pro-
duce an intimate mixture of nitrated carbohydrates with
the nitrated medium. The preferred form of the explosive
composition comprises a mixture of the nitrated carbo-
hydrates with a nitrated mixture of ethylene and propy-
lene, or of ethylene, propylene and butylene glycols, or
of such glycols and poly glycols derived therefrom, whereby
the solvent medium used in the method of producing the
composition consists of a mixture of ethylene and propy-
lene, or of ethylene, propylene and butylene glycols, or
of such glycols and polyglycols derived therefrom. The
nitration of the simple carbohydrates can be effected in
a smooth and advantageous manner, and by a single
operation, by dissolving the carbo-hvdrates in a 1-2 glycol
medium, and by nitrating the resulting solution. (Seven
claims.)

106274. Processes of Producing Phenols. Bostaph
Engineering Company, 612, Union Trust Building, Detroit,
Michigan.—The present invention consists broadly in the
production of phenol and its homologues by causing hydro-
gen and high-boiling tar acids to react together in the
presence of a hydrogenating catalyst, preferably nickel.
It is probable that by this treatment the oxymethyl
groups, together with a part of the methvl groups, are
substituted by hydrogen, therebv producing a mixture
containing phenol and cresol. The catalyst preferably

used is nickel, reduced from nickel hydroxide at
temperatures below 325 degs. Cent., and distributed over
long fibred asbestos. This is placed in tubes adapted to
be heated by means of a resistance coil or otherwise. The
oils containing the high boiling tar acids are sprayed into
the heated tubes containing the catalyst, together with,
and preferably by means of, an excess of hydrogen gas.
The oil-fraction employed for this purpose is preferably
that collected between the temperatures of 210 degs. and
300 degs. Cent. The product is condensed, and, if desired,
purified, in any usual manner, and the excess of hydrogen
is collected for re-use if so desired.

113241. Valve Apparatus for Percussive Rock Drills,
etc. G. Rayner, Grange Farm House, Carterknowle-road,
Abbey dale, Sheffield.—The present invention is a modifi-
cation of Patent No. 13726 of 1914. Air is admitted at
inlet a, and passes to chamber a1 and port a3, to the valve
chamber, and thence by port b to the top end of the
piston p, and drives same to downward. The solid three
collar valve v is held in the position shown by the constant
pressure on the top side of a‘ piston or plunger h, which
in the accompanying drawing is shown as a ball resting
in a passage or bore h1 formed in the flat end plate i of
the valve chamber. A similar flat end plate j closes the
bottom end of the valve chamber. As
the top side of the valve is constantly
open to exhaust by holes n4 communi-
cating with the annular exhaust space s,
no accumulation of compressed air can
take place on the top end surface of the
main valve, and in the position shown
the bottom side of main valve is open to
exhaust by port x, and outlet y open
direct to atmosphere. Therefore, in the
position shown, the air acting on the top
side of the ball or plunger h locks the
valve securely in position. When the
piston has completed part of its stroke
downward, the annular recess pl formed
therein comes into communication with
live air by port a2, and finally puts a2
into communication with port x through
opening x1 (said port x having been
previously shut off from communication
with the main cylinder and atmosphere
vid exhaust port y, by the downward
movement of the piston). The air then

flows to the lower side of the main valve v and forces
same upward, as the area of the under side of valve v
is greater than the area of the plunger h, which is under
constant pressure, as before described. Air now flows
to the lower side of main piston p from port a3, vid port
b1, and forces said piston upward until port y is open
to exhaust. The pressure on the under side of valve v
drops by exhausting via ports x and y, and the constant
pressure on plunger h again forces the valve downward.
Exhaust grooves n, n2, and holes n1, n3, are also provided,
which latter, like holes n4, communicate with the annular
exhaust space s, around the valve chamber, and finally to
atmosphere through outlet t. (Two claims.)

113386. Improvements in Miners’ Safety Lamps.
R. Lambourne, 214, Cathedral-road, Cardiff, and Malpas
Road Engineering Works, Newport.—The present inven-
tion relates to lamps having incombustible wicks, for
example, of powdered charcoal, or other carbonaceous
material, and in particular concerns the application of
such wicks to miners’ safety lamps. The object of the
present invention is to provide such a lamp with a wick
which will allow of continuous burning without requiring
attention, and also allow the flame to be considerably
reduced in size when desired, for example, as is necessary
in employing the lamp for gas testing. Fig. 1 is an
elevation half in section, and fig. 2 is a plan of the oil
pot of a miner’s safety lamp to which the invention
has been applied. The top portion of the lamp is in
accordance with the usual practice, and need not be
here dealt with. The pot 1 is of brass, and, as shown, is
screw threaded at 2, screwing into the bottom of the
lamp in the usual manner for safety lamps. The wick
tube 3 stands up from the lamp pot 1 and at the top
has an expanded chamber 4. The wick 5 passes up from
the oil pot 1 through the tube 3, and is prevented from
dropping down by the presence of a knot 6. The
chamber 4 consists of a
thin piece of brass, the
wtoch is hollow,
and	this hollow

- ~ 3portion that the incom-
g	fWf	bustible wick tip 7 is

/	lodged. This wick tip is

I_______powdered charcoal, or

/	\ other carbonaceous

* "	material, and it is pre-

Bferred to form this tip by
mixing Portland cement
with the charcoal powder
into a paste, and then to
incorporate shredded cot-
ton into the paste. This
cotton serves to bind the
material of the tip, and
renders the tip more than
capable of taking up the
oil for the flame. How-
ever, as an alternative,
the top portion of an ordinary flat cotton wick can be
treated with the cement mixture to render it hard and
porous, and this answers the same purpose. It is pre-
ferred to employ in the lamp the oil known as mineral
colza, that is, a mixture of paraffin and colza oils accord-
ing to Home Office Regulations. As shown in fig. 2,
the hollow top to the wick tube is pinched so as to
leave a rectangular aperture 8 in which the incombustible
wick tip is packed; Oil is supplied from the pot 1 to
the wick tip by the wick 5. In the usual manner the
igniting pin or electrode 9 passes up from the bottom
of the lamp pot 1 through an insulated sleeve, for example,
of vulcanised fibre 10. At the bottom, the pin 9 has
an expanded head 11 which serves as a terminal for
the magneto, or other igniting appliance. At the top
the pin 9 is formed with a horizontal bent over hook
12, and at its extreme end is slightly turned up at 13
to form the sparking point. The spark takes place
between this point and the wick tube so that the body
of the lamp is the other terminal. The igniting pin
9 is- made to rotate in the sleeve 10, and for this pur-
pose the head 11 is milled. The hook 12 is of such a
length, as seen in fig. 2, that when turned it projects
over the incombustible wick tip 7 and can be employed
to reduce the size of the flame. (Three claims.)

113548. Improvements in Pumps. P. Schou, No. 40,
Vester Boulevard, Copenhagen.—This invention refers to