New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-31
SUBSTITUTES FOR
ANTHRACITE COAL
Federal Authorities Say Other Ac-
Ceptable Fuel Is Plentiful

Washington, ID. c., Aug. 3l.--Whllt
anthracite coal is probably the most
desirable solid fuel for domestic heat
ing 1t is by no means necessity In
view Of the various acceptable substi-
tutes available, declares the depart
ment of the interior through the bu-
reau of mines. The greater number
OF homes in this country are heated
by bituminous coal. and probably by
Ares attended by the owner who does
his own shoveling and carries out his
own ashes. Other substitute fuels
which can be drawn upon in the case
OF a hard coal shortage are coke, fuel
oil briquettes and the steam sizes of
anthracite. An intelligent people,
using intelligent firing methods, can
face the prospect of an anthracite IA
mine 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-
glneer 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 I'M
der proper damper control gives
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 a 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
through easily, and the porous struc-
ture of the coke gives a very large
surface for burning. This all means
a little more care and understanding
in managing hampers. It is also nee
essary that there be no 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.
Smokeless Soft Coal Available.
When bituminous or soft coal is
mentioned many New England people
think of the fuel used in Pittsburgh
and the central west, and of the con-
slant fight to reduce the smoke null
sance. The bureau of mines points
out that one of the most effective
remedies for domestic smoke in those
districts Is the use of low volatile or
so-called smokeless coal, and that is
the kind of soft coal most readily
available to New England.
The low volatile Goals from central |
Pennsylvania and West Virginia run
ming from 16 per cent to rs per cent
volatile matter are naturally tribu-
tary to the eastern anthracite using
district. These Goals, while not as
clean to handle as anthracite. can be
burned nearly smokelessly in domes-
tic heating equipment. No change in
CRATES or equipment is needed to burn
coal in furnaces hereto
fore using anthracite. What is need
ed is more attention and better
of the problem of burn
ing. The fiue surfaces must be
cleaned often, with high volatile coal
even daily and with low volatile at
east weekly. II
When the higher volatile bitumin-
US COdio dtt llItu tHt tlilpuiib VI Sdo |
generated at first is so great that an
extra amount of air is needed for a
short time to burn these gases. This
air can be supplied through the
camper in the firing door or if the
ire has been very hot and the gas Is
Excessive by leaving the firing door
lightly open for few minutes after
putting on fresh coal.
Anthracite has the quality of burn
ng very efficiently at low rates, keep
rig a small steady fire for mild days.
IN very cold days when running hot
Ire the efficiency falls off. Bitumin-
JUS coal acts in the Opposite way. 1t
eqllires more skill and is less eff
lent in mild weather but is even
more efficient in cold weather than
nthracite.
Take it the season through from
en- to % per cent more bituminous
oal is likely to be needed than of
nthracite although with increased
kill and attention the proportion
1ight even be reversed.
Briquets and Fuel Oil.
There are other substitutes that
lay be had locally. There is an in
reasing amount of good briquetted
lel available. This is handled like
nthracite, requires little added at
sntion and the satisfaction resulting
epends upon the quality of the
riquets.
There is an increasing use of oil II
here available. This requires a con-
derable installation and the burn
TX cost is usually greater, but the
haracter of service may be very
ood Heating by gas has all the adj
antages and few disadvantages en- a
spt cost. Neither of these fuels are
| any large sense available on short q
office as a substitute for anthracite. y
In some places the small steam n
yes of anthracite can be obtained n
lumber one Buckwheat can be used 81
sufficient draft can be supplied to q
orce air through the more compact b
lei bed. "A
Detailed information regarding n
roper firing methods in the use of
lese various anthracite substitutes is y
wen in Serial 1919, which may be y
otained from the Department of the 81
lterior, Bureau of Mines, Washing Il
n, D. C. IA