Coal Still Leads

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31349, 20 April 1967, Page 23

Coal Still Leads

Many of New Zealand’s industries rely on coal as their source Of heat and power, and this fuel still supplies 60 per cent of the total heating units used in this country. Industries using coal include such a diverse range as cement, brick and pipe manufacture, daily products, food and confectionery and other lines in which cleanliness and hygiene are first essentials.

Great strides have been made in the manufacture of coal-fired boilers, and packaged boilers now available are capable of outputs from 2000 to 20,0001 b of steam an hour. These operate at efficiencies in excess of 80 per cent. In the larger grade watertube boilers are available with chain grates and sprinkler stokers. Some of the biggest of these coal boilers or steam generators as they are called can provide sufficient steam to drive a single generator developing more power than

the capacity of the Benmore hydro-electric station. Ordinary mechanical firing methods are impracticable on such large plants and pulverised fuel is the answer.