FUEL RESEARCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 7 (Supplement)

FUEL RESEARCH

EXPERIMENTS WITH COAL In the report of the British Fuel Research Board Dr. F. S. Sinnatt, the director, mentions some, experiments in domestic heating which have shown tiie advantages gained by utilising reflecting surfaces 011 open fire hacks with the object of increasing the amount of radiant heat and improving the appearance of the fire. Tests with polished aluminium foil attached by a cement to the backs and side cheeks of open grates proved successful where smokeless fuels were employed, the aluminium foil remaining bright and in good condition for a considerable period. A damp soapy cloth was found to be sufficient to remove any soot or tar which collected on the surfaces and to keep the metal bright. Further work is being carried out 011 the use of metallised firebricks for use in open grates. Experiments on the combustion of, and smoko emission from, coals in open grates were continued. Tests on household coals showed that marked differences in behaviour may exist between the bright and dull banded constituents. In the particular samples tested the bright coal waS found to be superior to the dull coal in rate of radiation and freedom from excessive smoke, but dull coal was easier to ignite, and more rapid in initial combustion A considerable amount of work has been done on pulverised coal, which, the report states, has " for many purposes advantages in ease of handling and control approaching those of oil fuel, while at present prices it is considerably cheaper." The report refers to the difficulty encountered by the consumer in disposing of small coal (slack or dust). Some experiments are described in which small coal is placed in a paper container lined with aluminium foil, about the size of a half-pound packet of tea. It has been found that if such packets are placed -in an open fire the aluminium foil holds the coal together until it is converted into coke. If a packet is allowed to remain undisturbed for from 10 minutes to 20 minutes the volatile products from the coal burn with a luminous flame, leavjng a piece of coke, which continues to burn in the ordinary manner.

The report refers to the results of important experiments with horizontal retorts for gas making. These have shown that by passing steam through the charge of c<?al, the yield of gas from such retorts can be increased by as much as 14 per cent. This steaming, it is stated, is successfully accomplished with little alteration to the plant or the normal operation of the retorts. A wide range of subjects is covered by the report, which makes a physical and chemical survey of the national coal resources, and discusses the progress of the scientific study of their utilisation.

ALUMINIUM AND MUSIO Aluminium bass viols have been made in the United States, which are said to possess a tonal quality that compares favourably with some wood instruments. They are becoming popular among musicians of dance and symphony orchestras because they are impervious to moisture. In the process of manufacture light, strong sections of aluminium alloy are rigidly welded together without the use of screws or rivets. In finishing them they are given a natural aluminium, gold, bronze or imitation wood appearance. The designer says many other stringed instruments can also be given a satisfactory tone.

PRODUCT OF COTTON SEED Russian chemists have developed a method of removing the short fibres, or " linters " from cottonseed by the use of gaseous hydrochloric acid, and are now looking for new uses for the lint, once a waste product of cottonseed. They expect to produce about 85,000 tons a year from the cotton crop of Middle Asia. Chemically, " Linters " are nearly pure cellulose. Large quantities are used in production of artificial silk, cellophane and other cellulose products.