New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-01
FACTS ABOUT PEAT FUEL AND PEAT COKE.
HOW TO Make 1T, HOW TO USE 1T, WHAT IT COSTS
And WHAT 1T rs FORTH.
BY T. III. LEAyITT-

The prime object of this paper is to offer briefly
some facts and information relating TO the produc
ton- cost use and value OF this fuel-largely from
my own personal experience and observation during
series of years-with other data from trustworthy
authorities. which may be OF practical interest TO
have rich and extensive stores OF it,
In our country the deposits of peat are
numerous. extensive and in quantity simply
nous. New-Ensland is full OF II; the deposits IN
the Middle Western and Northwestern States and
In Canada enormous. California and Mexico
have rich and extensive store OF it.
Its superior value for domestic steam and metal
lurgical purposes is established beyond question.
II requires only to be manufactured and prepared
In good shape to take its place as a standard
commodity OF traffic and use
The various attempts to solidify and put II into
understandable form may all be classed under two
heads-pressing and condensng. OF presses, great
variety have been built, some simple OF construc
ton. others OF marvellous power and perfection in
every detail The most notable attained
by this process has been in Canada. where, under
pressure of two TO twelve tons TO the square inch,
a handsome article has been produced i'm briquette
FORM which burns well and can be used for some
purposes; but pressure has thus far failed to pro-
duce, and cannot by any possibility be made to
produce. perfect fuel. Water dissolves it, heat
disintegrates II. handling and transportation tend
10 crumble II and IL cannot be successfully cooked.
The cost of plant Is large the power required is
enormous. and the product. though not without
merit for some purposes seriously lacking in
qualities essential to perfect fuel Our consul at
Toronto writes October 81. 1902: Fully 100000
has. in the course Of seven or eight years. been
practically wasted in Canada in futile attempts in
this line
Condensed peat fuel differs essentially from the
pressed article. The method of manufacture is
exceedingly simple. rapid and successful The plant
required is comparatively inexpensive: the expense
of manufacture is small. and the fuel produced is,
in many respects. superior to that produced by any
other process.
The crude material is excavated and brought
from the bog in any convenient manner. The treat
nent is such the original organization of the
peat is destroyed; the air of which a large amount
is contained in IFS cells is elected its plastic and
adhesive properties are developed, advantage Is
taken of Of the peculiar natural qualities OF
the material. and II is then in condition to be
blocked or moulded into any form desired which
may he accomplished in a variety Of simple
1t is then exposed the open air for drying or
artificial may be used to expedite this
The product is a solid. hard fuel, which burns
freely with light draught. producing steady. clear
and intense heat entirely from surface to
centre. leaving a residuum of light ash but no
cinlers cndcrs: does not disintegrate is as i'm
pervious brick stone; ernits very
little smoke end no offensive gases; is readily
bombed producing strong coke OF superior quality
for domestic. steam and metalIurgica1 purposes.
Condensed peat may be carbonzed do wood
and coal and produces peat coke; and II is to this
fuel and the proper production OF it that desire
excellence for all ordinary purposes. and for the
processes required in the arts.
'-ntil recently have never known of any peat
coke being produced in this country, but during the
last two years persistent and we'll directed efforts
have resulted in perfecting simple. practical and
eminenty successful method OF producing this much
desired fuel at cost and OF quality which render
Il practicable introduce 1t a merchantable
article available for those purposes for which II is
known possess superior merit.
Condensed and solidifed by what Is known the
Leavitt process, the coking carboniEng is
complished by the recently discovered Rock
we'll process. Tho former is not patented, and is
therefore all. The cokng process is covered
By patents. The gases generated from the peat in
the process of coking used for heating the
ovens, and amply sufficient for that purpose
The quantity of coke obtanable from a good
quality OF condensed peat may average about 20
cent OF its weight. The high heating power OF peat
and peat coke and its absolute freedom from sui
phur and properties deleterious to metals must
commend II to all and invest IL with peculiar in
terest to the smelter and those who follow after
him manufacturers Of the metals which he pro-
duccs.
Practically the range OF by-products may
be obtained from the coking Of coal, and prop