Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-04

Washington, D. c., Aug. the
p~rotracted coal strike has set experts
Of the federal government to studylng
anew the problems of the storage OF
coal on a large scale.
Aside from the expense OF handling
and equipment, there are two major
reasons why coal cannot successfully
be stored. The first is that when ex-
posed to the air, coal gradually loses
its combustibility-taht is, its burning
and heating qualities. The ages pro-
duce coal by crushing decayed vege,
! table matter under great weight anu
pressure in the depths Of the earth,
far from atmosphere. When coal is
brought to the surface and exposed 10
the air, nature starts to undo the pro-
cess and take the elements of comDus-
ton away.
The second reason is that, through
some chemical or physical action OF the
air upon coal which has been taken
from the mine, the product generates
heat of it's own and spontaneous COM
huston results. This is one OF the
mystrous forces of nature which mas
baffled many scientists and engineers;
Without the application of any external
heat or inflammatory matter. a pile OF
CVul SOhICtAACS VIII
burn with dangerous intensity.
This phenomenon is encountered
most frequently at sea. Steamers must
store large supplies Of coal in their
bunkers. The frequent result is pun
ker fire. caused almost always by spon-
taneous combustion.
Every American who reads news,
papers and learns Of coal strikes and
| oh ~ nnnl Ir,a tn COR PnnUpS-
ton or Inadequate transportation facil-
ties has asked the question: Why not
keep the mines running and store the
coal in piles? The foregoing are the
good and sufficient reasons
These obstacles to coal storage mean
that coal cannot be mined until there
is q quick market for it. Thu demand
for domestic coal for heating and cook
ing is fairly steady and can be reckoned
upon, so it is possible for mines to
keep a fairly steady supply Of coal
moving to retail dealers. But for the
great industrial consumers the task Is
more difficult. Factories have boom
periods and slack periods. Their de
mands for coal vary. The result is
that the coal to fill a large order for
a mill or a public utility is not taken
out Of the ground until the coal com
pany has obtained the order.
In boom times when factories are
running full blast, the orders come in
fast. Then follow feverish efforts to
factor enters. It is no use to bring
the coal up above ground unless cars
are available to Ike it away. With
everybody demanding coal at once, the
railroads ann supply cars rapidly
enough to take care of all demands.
All these circumstances point to the
d~esirability of devising a plan for the
storage of coal.
Water Storage System
There has been one extensive, sue
~cessful experiment in this country
along lines heretofore found feasible in
England. The Illinois Traction com
pany which operates a network Of in
terurban electric railroads throughout
the state has established a system of
~subaqueous storage. 1t has been
learned that coal can be stored under
water. This keeps the air from work
ing its deleterious effects on the coal
and also prevents spontaneous com
} bustion. 1t is a curious fact, however.
that a small quantity Of water will not
prevent. but stimulates spontaneous
combustion. Merely to moisten coal or
have Ii half covered will set it aflre.
Many of the bunker fires on ships arise
from leaks. To effect proper and safe
subaqueous storage, the coal must be
wholly submerged.
The reason this has not been resorted
J TO more generally is that such a storage
+ plant is expensive. The Illinois Traction
bins are vast concrete lined basins. The
handing of the coal is multiplied because
: II must be mined. hauled to the storage
!, bins, dumped in. flooded. Then when