The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-06-25
PEAT AS A FUEL AUx1L1ARY
Uncle Sam is Making Extensiv. In.
yestigations.

yestigations.
Washington, ID. C., June 25.-
Peat bogs in northern Iowa, the east
ern Dakotas and a of other
states can supply sufficient fuel to
operate the light, heat and
plants of the cities and towns in
those states, according to an investi-
cation that has just been completed
by the United States geological sur
vey. Government experts estimate
the value of the peat deposits in
these states at more than $38, OOO,-
0OO,000--more money than is. in
vested in all the property, stock,
implements and buildings owned by
the farmers of the United States
and yet the use of peat as a fuel
in this country is but little known
except in a few localities.
With the coal supply being used
at a tremendous rate, the govern
ment experts expect peat to become
a most important auxiliary fuel,
which will aid in the conservation
of the coal supply itself. The states
containing the greatest amount of
peat in addition to Iowa and the
Dakotas are Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio.
New York, the New England states,
New Jersey, parts of Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia and Florida, where the mil
lions of dollars worth of this fuel
lies undeveloped as yet in swamps
and boys.
Peat boys Is a rule are found in
regions far removed from coal
fields. Its value now is estimated
by the geological experts at SO a
ton, and it is equal as a fuel to the
lower grades of soft coal. The de
velopment of the peat deposits near
those towns and cities now distant
from coal mines will result in their
obtaining fuel for manufacturing
purposes on an equal basis with
towns in the mining districts. This
is expected to result in a great boom
to the industries of the peat dis
tricts.
The geological survey is now un-
dertaking a thorough investigation
OF the peat resources of the country,
not only as to the amount of peat
and it's location, but also as to it's
uses. The burning Of peat for pow
err, heat or light is but one of it's
many uses, according to Prof.
Charles A. Davis, of the technologic
branch, who has charge of the in
designations. The ,by-products of
great value in crude coke, illumin-
ating oils, lubricating oils, parafin
wax, phenol, asphalt, wood alcohol,
acetic acid, ammonium sulphate
and combustible gases of good fuel
value.
If used for fuel gas there is enough
nitrogen stored in the peat resources
OF the country to supply 644,0O0,-
600 tons, with a value of 8 6,0OO,-
100000 in addition to the gas. Peat
is capable of furnishing potential
substitutes for wood in various de-
partments of industry, and may re-
lieve to a considerable extent the
drain upon the vanishing forests.
Paper is now being made from peat
IN Michigan. Possibly 5 per cent
of the total peat in the United States,
or GA, 400. 900 tons, is suitable for
the manufacture of coarse paper
and pasteboard. which will reduce
the consumption Of wood by what
ever amount it displaces wood pulp
in the manufacture of such articles.
another development in the line
of peat industry" says Prof, Rob
ert II. Fernald, consulting engineer
IN charge of gas producer tests for
the government, lis the use Of peat
in ~byoproduct recovery gas plants,
which promises splendid returns.
From these plants both gas for pow
er and sulphate of ammonia can be
obtained in commercially paying
quantities. Both the utilization of
peat for producer Of gas and for the
recovery OF sulphate of ammonia
are perfectly feasible with American
peat"
The operation Of a gas engine
at the experiment plant on peat in.
one or two tests has shown that this
fuel is but little inferior to many
grades: Of soft coal now on the
market, and superior to some in the
quantity of power gas produced"
reports Prof. Davis. II believe the
day is coming soon when cities To-
Gated near the peat boys and away
from the coal fields win obtain their
power and light from peat. I UNI
derstand that Florida is to have a
power plant soon that will use peat,
as fuel and will transmit the cleo
tricity to Jacksonville.
In the development Of this in
dustry, however. 1t must be remem-
bered that peat contains from IS
to 80 per cent water as it comes
from the bogs. All but Is or 20.
per cent a be dried out by <
posure of the peat to the air. In:
burning peat in gas producers to
make power gas this peat will burn
successfully with 40 per cent
moisture, which is impossible in a
furnace. The installation Of the
power plant in the bog or at the
mine has been advocated In this
country by the technologic branch
of the survey for installation Of sew
yeral thousand horsen0wer nnlv va