Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-08-25
+! Local Matters.
-" -
COKE COMING TO FRONT.
Is Fast Displaciug Coal for Many
Purposes.
New In Use BY the Boston & Maine, Swift 8
CO. and Augusta Steam Laundry.

Seldom do large manufacturing cor
line. but occasionally they do as
has been recently demonstrated in the
matter of substituting coke for coal for
fuel purposes in boilers, blast furnaces
and other heating appliances used in
large establishments.
First, it was President Tuttle of the
Boston & Maine Railroad who, in an
interview told of what immense value
coke was proving 10 be in boiler use
and how the Boston * Maine was
changing over the boilers of its engines
SO that coke instead of coal could be
used.
The statement from President Tuttle
had scarcely appeared in the papers
when 1t was announced. says the Bos-
ton Herald, that the North Packing &
Provision Company had made a con-
tract for years supply of coke to re-
place coal in their establishment at
Somerville.
1t was not a sudden move on the part
of either one of these firms to make
such a great innovation, but rather
each one Of them had been making
tests for some time past along these
lines, and every detail was thoroughly
considered before the change was
made. The North Packing & Provision
Company, as is well known. is con-
trolled by Swift & co. of Chicago, and
done by either this firm or the Boston
& Maine Railroad except on the most
scientific and practical principles.
The Maine Central has adopted the
use of coke on the local "Scoot' train
between Oakland and Waterville. 1t
has proved satisfactory so far, but is
being given a thorough test before it
is adopted on any of the other trains.
Some talk has been made regarding
it's introduction on the Accom-
modation train between here
and South Gardiner but moth
ing definite has been given out re-
garding its use there. Its advantages
are claimed to be the absence of the
smoke and cinders which are now such
a bother to the passengers and train
men.
So, after all these tests, it is a de-
cided victory for the merits of coke for
fuel purposes. such coke as is produced
by the New England Gas & Coke Com
pany.
Close upon the recommendations of
the above two firms comes another de-
cidedly important communication from
a Salem concern, that of the Locke
Regulator Company. manufacturers of
steam appliances. Mr.. n. c. Locke,
who is at the head of this firm, tells
in a letter some of the reasons which
have led him to adopt coke instead of
coal in his factory. He says that in the
first place he wishes to correct some
statements which are being made con-
cerning the prospects of the New Eng
land Gas q Coke Company. He re-
marked: We have made careful test
of their coke in our blast furnace, also
for fuel under the steam boilers, and
we find it perfectly satisfactory. and of
such advantage over other fuel that we
have made a contract for a years sup
ply
Mr.. Locke closed with the remark:
No one can fail to realize the great
advantage of this coke over the ordi-
nary coal for steam purposes.
Purnton Bros. of this city, are the
local agents for the New England Gas
& Coke Go. Mr.. Purinton told the
Journal that the Augusta Steam
Laundry liked it much better than soft
coal There is no SCOT or smoke from
the coke and it gives a much better
heat. They have not yet been able &c
secure sufficient supply TO allow the
manufactures to try it.
has been in since June and it has not
been shipped. a letter has been re
ceived that it would be here in two
weeks For house furnaces use it is
said to be very fine. The company
gives the following directions regard
ing it's use in furnaces: Fill the fur
mace full morning and night. as it Is
more economical to have large body
of coke under low fire than a little
coke under a strong fire. Shake ash
down only once in a day or two. and
stop when the first bright coal drops
Keep about two inches of ashes over
the CRATE bars, as this tends to reduce
the draft.
Coke does not close boiler flues thus
obviating the necessity OF frequent dis
agreeable and expensive cleaning. This
secures the complete utilization of the
heat value of the fuel. When looking
at the stack of a boiler fired by coke i,
is impossible to determine whether tn,
boiler is running or not. This absenc,