The Penn's Grove record., 1923-11-09
ANTHRACITE NOT A NECESSITY

While anthracite coal is probably
the most desirable solid fuel for do
nestle heating, it is by no means a
necessity in view of the various ac-
ceptable substitutes available, de-
clares the department of the Interior
through the Bureau of Mines. The
greater number of homes in this coun-
try are heated by bituminnous coal,
and probably by fires attended by the
owner who does his own shovellng ana
carries out his own ashes. Other sub
| stitute fuels which can be drawn upon
in case of a hard coal shortage are
coke, fuel oil, briquetteS and the steam
| sizes of anthracite. An intelligent
people, using intelligent fire methods,
can face the prospect of an anthracite
famine with equanimity.
When one has learned to use coke
the service obtained is comparable in
many ways with anthracite, according
to o. P. Hood, chief mechanical en-
gineer of the Bureau of Mines, in a
report. just made public. There are
those that even prefer coke. 1t Is
clean to handle, smokeleSs, and under
proper damper control gives a steady
heat. Coke is so much more bulky
than anthracite that the bin will not
hold as many tons, deliveries must
usually be made more often, and the
furnace must be filled more fire.
quently. There is a knack in burn
ing coke, also, that must be acquired
at the expense of little patience and
thought. Some coke does not kindle
quite as readily as anthracite, but once
going the fire is apt to burn too fast
unless the draft is checked. The coke
bed lies so lightly that air goes thru
easily, and the porus structure of the
coke gives a very large surface for
burning. This all mean a little more
care and understanding in managing
hampers. 1t is also necessary that
there be an opportunity for air to
leak into the ash pit when the ash pit
hampers are closed, else the coke will
burn out when the draft is apparently
cut off.
When bituminous or soft coal is
mentioned many New England people
think of the fuel used in Pittsburg
and the central West, and Of the con-
slant fight to reduce the smoke nui-
sance. The Bureau of Mines points
out that one of the most effective rem
edies for domestic smoke in those dis
tricts is the use of low volatile or So
called smokeless coal, and that is the
kind of soft coal most readily avail
able to New England.
The low volatile Goals from central
Pennsylvania and West Virginia run
ming from 16 to rs per cent volatile
matter are naturally tributary to the
eastern anthracite using district.
These Goals, while not as clean to
handle as anthracite. can be found
nearly smokelessly in domestic heat
ing equipment. No change i'm CRATES
or equipment is needed to burn btu
minous coal in furnaces heretofore
using anthracite. What is needed is
more attention and a better knowledge
of the problem of burning. The fue
surfaces must be cleaned often, with
high volatile coal even daily. and with
low volatile at least weekly
When the higher volatile bjtumjuOuS
Goals are fired the amount Of gas gen
Grated at first is so great that an extra
amount of air is needed for a short
times tor burn these gases. This air
can be supplied through the damper
in the firing door if the fire has been
hot and the gas is excessive by
leaving the firing door slightly open
Tor a few minutes after putting on
fresh coal.
Anthracite has the quality of burn
ing very efficiently at low rates, keep
ing . small steady fire for mild days.
On very cold days when running a
hot fire the efficiency falls off. Btu
minouS coal acts in the opposite way.
1t REQUIRES more skill and is less eff
Gent in mild weather hut is even more
efficient in cold weather than anthra-
cite.
Take it the season through from 10
to % per cent more bituminous coal
is likelv to be needed than of anthra-
cite although with increased skill and
attention the proportion might even
be reversed.
There are other substitutes that may
be had locally. There is an increasing
amount of good ~briquetted fuel avail
able. This is handled ike anthracite.
requires little added attention and the
satisfaction resulting depends upon
tie quality Of the briquets.
There is an increasing use of oil
where available. This requires a con-
siderable installation and the burning
cost is usually greater, but the char
acter of service may be very good.
Heating by gas has all the advantages
ard few disadvantages except cost.
neither Of these fuel are in any large
sense available on short notice as a
substitute for anthracite.