Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-08-03
TESTS OF NORTH .@.
DAKOTA Ignite
M. r. CAMPBELL OF WASHINGTON
TELLS OF TESTS MADE At ST.
LOUIS LAST YEAR.,
FINDS AN UNEXPECTED VALUE
IN THE NATIVE COAL IN GAS
PRODUCER.

Marius R. Campbell, geologist
United States geological survey
Washington, D. c., was in Fargo Mon
day. He was one of the committee Of
three in charge of the coal-testins
plant of the survey at St. Louis. The
Forum made a brief reference to his
presence in the city and casually told
of the value given to native Ignite in
the gas producer.
In an extended talk, which the re-
porter had with Mr.. Campbell, the lat.
ter gave more details and explained
the value of array of figures contained
in the preliminary report on the opera
tions of the coal testing plant of the
| U. S. geological survey at the expo
sition at st. Louis last year and which
are being continued this year at the
same place with greatly increased ap-
probation. A more detailed report,
which will be fully illustrated by pho
tographs, graphic charts, ETC., giving
methods employed, is in preparation,
and will be found of immense value to
those interested in the greater utiliza-
ton of native coal in this state. This
report will be published in the near
future.
Mr.. Campbell rather desired to en-
phasize the value of North Dakota
Ignite demonstrated in the tests in
the gas producing plant and gas
engine. The coal from the Williston
mines showed Unexpectedly hig power
producing qualities such as promise
large future developments. There
was also some coal from Lehigh used.
The coal from Williston, was sent ~
the Cedar Coulee Coal Co., five miles
southeast of Williston. Both samples
are technically known as 'fbrown lig-
mite"
The steam tests with the Ignite
we're not considered satisfactory for
the reason that the equipment used
was explained as not suitable. For
the tests two 210 horse power Heine
safety boilers were used.
Mr.. Campbell said the proposition
he would emphasize was the using of
North Dakota Ignite in a gas pro-
Queer instead of in steam plant.
There it showed its value. Before
last year there was no way Of getting
| rid Of the tar, but at st. Louis that
was greatly overcome. The plant
used has a Taylor pressure gas pro-
Queer, fitted with a tar extractor, the
construction of which was very care
fully guarded by the manufacturers,
but will mean much when finally de-
veloped. But for this device the tests
would have been hardly possible.
The gas from the North Dakota lig-
mite was richer than that from Texas
Ignite and not so much tar. To pro-
duce British thermal unit, the stand.
ard, it required 1.49 pounds of Ala.
bama coal, 1873 pounds of North Da.
kota Ignite and 1.99 pounds of Texas.
To better explain the value of North
Dakota ignite Mr.. Campbell said that
the best steam making coal, that used
by the U. s. navy, comes from New
River, West Virginia, known as No. G.
To produce an electrical. horsepower II
takes 3.39 pounds Of the West Virginia
coal. To produce gas to accomplish
the same result it requires 2.29 pounds
Of North Dakota dry Ignite in the gas
producer. Ignite dry coal is after
the moisture has been eliminated and
that is done in calculation. The rela
tive cost can easily be figured.
/ Mr.. Campbell, without any reserva
ton, stated that the meaning of the re
suit OF the gas producer tests is, thai
the end of the stationary steam engine
is in sight and that is the point t.
: which mechanical engineers are look
ing. They concede that the steam
engine has reached its limit. 1t wa
to be noticed in the meagre display o
steam engines at the St. Louis expo
sition and the immense display of ga,
engine types at the exposition.
The results in this field of coal in
vestigation is that it has given Nortl
Dakota ignite value it never befor,
had and Mr.. Campbell said he coult
not see why, in the near future, mill,
should not be established over tn,
state and the wheat ground into fou
near the fields where, as has beer
demonstrated, in the gas produces
plants, through which, motive power
can be obtained at half the cost
proven by the tests beyond all ques
ton.
Last year the duration of tests wer,
from twenty-four to forty hours. Thii
year the increased appropriation vii
allow the longer tests, 100 hours AMI
perhaps more. and 1t was the hope o.
Mr.. Campbell and his committee t
/ 1o &ocafo S1,f-.[x,aor &hnS