New Britain Herald Newspaper, July 28, 1922, Page 5

SPONTANEOUS FIRES IN GOAL DISCUSSED Burean of Mines Gives Informa- tion on Subject Washington, D. C, July 28.-—Al- though coal may he a wee bit difficult to obtain and store at the present moment, the Bureau of Mines evi- dently is of the oplnlon that some day the black diamonds will again be tumbling merrily into hopper and bin, from a statement just made by O. P. Hbod, chiet mechanical engi- neer, on the storage of coal and the Attendant problem of spontaneous heating. In storing coal, the risk per ton of spontaneous combustion s really very small, says Mr. Hood, If one counted the times a portion of coal was stored where it would be sndisturbed for a few weeks, the number of such storage operations in any one year would mount into mil- lions. Of these, a relatively small number show the phenomena of spon- taneous combustion. It is extremely rare that in the small operations in- volving only a few tons there i{s any heating. There s no spontaneous combustion of anthracite, and very rarely does the domestic consumer of bituminous coal find troublesome heating. The main interest in the subject lfes in the large plles needed as reserves for public—service utili- ties and the industries. The Storage Question. Everyone desires to have directions for storage that are perfectly simple and yet will insure against loss. Un- fortunately, the problem is too com- plicated for a simple solution. Many of the factors involved are difficult to determine, as there are no practical means of quantitative measurement. The factors involve chemistry, physics and engineering, and the man who s in close contact with the . problem of stored coal is not always a good observer in these several lines. The result {s many incorrect theorfes, opinfons, and prejudices. Much has been written on the subject, and the Bureau of Mines has published the results of extensive investigations, but the diversity of widely held opinions show that there is need of pointing out what are the factors that demon: strably are most concerned in the spontaneous heating of coal. Acre of Exposed Surface in Ton of Fine Coal, The heating of coal is believed to be a surface phenomenon. If a ton of bituminous coal could be delivered in a single cube, each dimension of the cube would be about 2.8 feet. When coal heats, it is due to some- thing that goes on with respect to the surface and not something that happens inside of the plece. So far o 7TO 12 A. M. FRESH HAMBURG 3 25¢c COTTAGE HAMS m 35¢ Vg Ly PURE LARD as 18 known, this s true no matter how finely the plece is divided. It 1s, therefore, Interesting to know the area of the total exposed surface in a ton of coal, If the cube, having originally an area of about 47 square feet, be continuously sub-divided until all the pleces are fine enough just to pass through a 16-mesh screen the area of exposed surface in one ton of coal becomes an acre. It is perfect. ly obvious from this why it is that trouble from spontaneous combustion originates In fine coal, because the great increase in extent of surface does not begin until®one gets below 1 1-4 inch, or nut size. If fine coal 18 kept out of the pile the heating surface is relatively so small as to remove the cause of spontaneous com- bustion. This remark applies not to the fact that one may buy lump coal but to the size of what actually gets into the storage pile. Coal bought as lump at the mine and handled with modern disregard for breakage may be far from lump coal when in the fle. ¥ Heat Depends on Temperature, A unit of area of this coal surface enerates a certaln amount of heat, provided the coal can find the com- bining material, that is, oxygen. The amount of heat generated depends upon the temperature of a plece of coal. That is to say, coal put into storage at a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit will generate very much more heat per unit of surface than if put into storage at the temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Tt has al- ready been a matter of observation that coal stored during the hot months of summer and in heated regions is much more liable to spontaneous com- bustion than coal stored in colder climes and in cooler seasons of the year, Another most important factor is the freshness of the broken coal sur- face. For the first few days or weeks the freshly broken coal surface fis very much more active in the taking up of oxygen and consequent produc- tion of heat than after a few weeks or months—a fact that must be borne in mind when considering the wis- dom of crushing coal immediately be- fore storing {t. Spontaneous fires rarely occur after the coal surfaces have been exposed for three months. As the rate of heating increases with the temperature, it is evident that if the heat generated is not removed, the process becomes a self-aggravat- ing one, and the rate of heat genera- time, If the temperature of the pile reaches 140 degrees or 150 degrees 'Is a high probability that within a few weeks a destructive temperature will be reached. If the temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit 150 degrees Fahrenheit, there is al- most a certainty that a destructive temperature will be reached the coal must be moved. Immediate- ly the question of getting rid of the heat is presented, A Pile of Coal “Breathes.” A coal pile is cooled by radiation "MARKET, tion, Instead of falling, may rise with Fahrenheit and continues to rise there | or and by the movement of alr through it. Air moves rather freely through a plle of coal, and in many piles of coal this natural change, or breath- ing, of alr i{s enough to carry away the heat generated. Some observers have stated that, in general, fires in large coal piles are found in the re- glon from 5 to 8 feet below the sur- face on the flanks of the pile, The rise In temperature of a coal pile is thus Intmately connected with a very complicated ventilating problem, and there are no means of observing or measuring these small and wayward ventilating currents. Since there are no means of knowing just what the ventilation Is in any given portion of a plle, there {s great hesitancy in ad- vocating ventilating schemes for coal iplles, as one is as likely to make trouble as to prevent it, unless ex- treme and uniform ventilation is as- sured, There are many more factors of Jminor importance, continues Mr. (Hood. One of the troubles has been |that undue attention has often been |glven to the minor factors, such as | the sulphur or the volatile matter | content of the coal, helght of pile, etc,, while the main factors, such as initial temperature, breakage in handling, freshness of the coal, and the screening before storage, have been overlooked or minimized. Various factors in the spontaneous jcombustion of coal are discussed by Mr. Hood in Technical Paper 311, {s- sued by the Bureau of Mines. FIREMEN ARE ACCUSED i(‘lmrgefl With Setting Fires So They Wouldn't Lose Their Jobs. Olympla, Wash., July 28,—With the discharge of fire fighting crews in | this vicinity it became known today | that some fire fighters were suspected |of starting new fires in order that they would not lose their jobs after putting out old ones. The number of fires |and the area burned over are the greatest of any year in the state's his- |tory, but the damage has not been as | heavy. Oakland, Cal, July 28.—Thre towns | of Concord, Clayton and Danville were | threatened by forest fires fanned |shifting winds yesterday. Residents remained awake all night, ready to move thelr belongings. Water was | hauled through the fields in sleds and | wagons and back firing resorted to. The fire has covered more than fifteen miles this morning and killed thou- | sands of cattle. The glow was visible | twenty miles. | WILL TRY AGAIN. At the August common council | meeting a resolution will be offered similar to the one submitted at the | last session by which it was calculat- city work. The new resolution will be so worded that such positions as teachers, consulting engineers and other experts will be excluded from | the general ban on out of town em- | | ployes. 7TO 12 A. M. Large New POTATOES Peck 35¢c EVAPORATED MILK Can 8c NATIVE ONIONS by | [ed to employ none but residents in | ; and that ga a sUr ity other sizes. | formerly | selling bouffant style and quality BOYS' PANTS Grey value “PETER PAN" WASH SUT . Middy and Oliver all colors,” sizes 3 to 8, " $1.79 nd pants, sizes 5 to 16 years, made of fine qual- 44c s TS . Belt, blouse ar BOYS' OVERALLS r 4 to 15. 29 Ly 19 JERSEY SUIT BRAMLEY DRESSE S ahd $3.95 Fine quality two- plece garme o range of and sizes, that fously sold for , in a colors prev- $7.95. Organdie DRESSES Dainty Misses' Cleverly trimmed ndie collars, featur: Az novel Values to Canton panels and with or- and All e 95 and Taffeta A choice selection of dress retail at $10.95, in tomorr would group including models o special fie o long line Women's Dresse /Vew Britains Shopping Center la B Wa morrow Begins OQur To Gingham, Voile and of imported Voile, Swiss and Gingham. '3 %5 DRESSES that ow's and f exceptional 124 Clearing Specia ve weight. only, sizes 79c. BOYS' khaki ull cut, heavy we RLUVE DENIM 1s in Boys’ Wear 39¢ e T | 'toj g $1.79 Twist styles, regular ight, si: heavy for tomorrow at Jyso fo 386 Muml/% (/ [ ore for y Instances You Can Buy Hi —- - Mid-Summer Clearing We Have Gone Through the Stocks in All Departments, Taken Out All the Se Marked Them So Low That in Man parel At LESS THAN ACTUAL COST OF PRODUCTION, NewBritain Ct. Lverybody g ae TAN POLO (1 Loose and belted mod- gle and double- ed, wide belt, Nigh as §25.00, asonable Merchandise and gh Grade Right Up-to-the Minute Ap- Large Size Figured Voile and Gingham A and fine tons Lovely New Afternoon Dresses of Lace, Canton Crepe, Crep e de Chine and the new sea- son fabri effects, Novel ming novelties. features as to sleeves, Values to $29.75. s 1 8 85 n a wonderful array of light and dark color , panels and trim- All sizes repre- sented for young and old, Clearing Specials in Yard Goods NORMANDY 69c DOTTED VOILES brown and Genuine, in nav ts, value 89c helio with white d helio, SKIRT LINEN Navy with red or white dot, Green, white, regular 5fc value. yard. 36-IN. DRESS AND biue and grey, 89¢ value, 10-1N. NEW DOTTED 39 voIr (4 15-IN. IMPORTED SWISS ORGANDIE Very lustrous, in twelve popu- lar summer colors. NEW DRESS ( MERC LISLE Semi grey ar WOME SILK H Seam cordova RIBBE Doub! CHILDREN'S FINE learing Specials in Hosiery 22¢ white, 9¢ ack, WOMEN'S ERIZED HOSE -fashioned 1d cordoyv N'S THREAD HOSI back, regul white 5 or | 'S FULL FASHIONED $1.39 black, n, all sizes, top, white £ white and sizes 5 to 9% D HOSE le soles, reandie cor- DRESSES lovely selection of light da figures models. 2d volles with and gingham Trimmed with pan- and pear! but- ark colo Value Lace Trimmed DRESSES In black, brown and Navy, with silk and satin slips—trimmed with flowing panels, wide sleeves and wide cascades at the sides. Real §25 dresses—Tomorrow at 14 Clearing Specials in Domestics 36-IN. CURTAIN iy 14c MATERIAL ... Cross bar muslin in a large variety of patterns, white only. 81390 RIPPLETTE BED SPREADS . $l.89 Hemmed, full bleached, value $2.69. EXTRA LARGE rerkisn towres .. 47€ New Jacquard patterns, with horders of g , blue, lavender, pink with a place for initial, 22¢ weight, large UNBLEACHED HUCKABACK TOWELS Very size, heavy Cc 81x00 CRETONNES 250 LERGHRIZED Light and dark effects, includ- ing the present popular r bud pattern in a variety of colors. BOYS' ATHLETIC UNION SUITS Fine quality 24 to 34, value WHERE THE PEOPLE SHOP. 43EMAIN- ST.OPPOSITE E.MAINST — MONEY SAVING SPECIALS FOR ALL DAY CORN 44c Nainsook, s 50c. 2 m 27c 4™ 19¢c arers .. $1.39 BED SHEETS Hemmed, fi quality, regu- lar $1.79. SUGAR CURED LEAN Cabbage Free .. SUGAR CURED SMOKED SHOULDERS . r ort Strap Pumps : :.‘-‘\Mu r up to New Slip-Ons For Use in the City or at The Shore All wool fancy weave in long :nms 1 short orchid, by legislation ' Mr. Morrison declared. Grosbeck Replies Denounces Methods ‘ Replying to the etter, Governor |21 ¢ A LG ¥ Bover: nounced BONELESS POT 16¢c ™ ROASTS OF BELF PRIME RIB 25¢ " ROASTS OF BEEF CHUCK ROASTS 14¢ ™ OF BEEF SHOULDER 18¢c ™ STEAK A wonderfu with saddle of numerous other exclusive cial at rtment to select from sole Sport sleeve mod pink, white contrasting colors—suede combinatio and tan i Silus $.08 tyles of valu $7. Tomorrow All sizes PLATE BEEF .... Ib 5¢BOILING BEEF ... Ib 8c [Fresh SHOULDERS Ib 20c PORK CHOPS .... I 25c P e THO GOVERNORS IN_* FIGHT WITH HARDING Grosheck, Michigan; Morrison, » . % bag $1.18 11 2 cans R . 8 rolls ROASTS OF 18c ™ NATIVE VEAL present in th ntee ser SPERRY & BARNES 34c™ BACON BEST 15¢ ™ FRANKFORTS LEGS OF 29¢” LAMB or de beney what he despotism at reviewing tenden- in this could be at- forcement of law" policy of the federal gov- assuming to run all busi- oyment.” nd the rieht to do those things governors of the states lo for the welfare of the Groesbeck declared he could not con- |2P1® men will termed tt lent safety cede the federal government has . Wast |the power *to protect our | from the embarrasing situation faces us," The pres was in reply to a telegram by the governor armed mine itieer ar disorder hta ¥ t nt's letter MILK FED FOWLS I 40c/VEAL FOR STEW Ib 15c|LAMB FOR STEW Ib 15c [SAUSAGE MEAT m 25c t every ful emp sent A WHITE LOAF FLOUR . CHALLENGE MILK TOILET PAPER AMERICAN SARDINES . FLAT CANS PINEAPPLES . FLAT CANS RED SALMON 2 cans 27c 2 cans 23c .21 25 . 2! 18c vo.. 48c .. 8 ™ 40c EARLY JUNE PEAS SUGAR CORN . MILK CRACKERS GINGER SNAPS . LARGE JARS PICKLES ..... LARGE MEATY PRUNES . CALIFORNIA CANTALOUPES Each 5c¢ NATIVE e 5c TOMATOES .... dozen 20 (o Blames Shelhy Lewis, president of the mine work Washinzton Government A8 tw o . B Lansing, | Groesbeck today took sharp disagree- ment with a letter from Pre :Mrnv; iH.’lrdM;z declaring in effect that the; nt was powerless to G | ers to grant Michigan miners permis ertir 28.—GOVernor | yion to enter |1y of their national af turn to work Will Ask Tegislation president, in 5 % Mich.,, Ju igreements independent 3 DROPS OFF The Germa filiation and himie e UNEMPLOYED the rights of 2 number of v has dropped 1, even before Taget says. The ely unemployed per- from 28,700 Morrison de ight vention The his reply stated to federal governi tion to solve this att interfere with the attitude of nt agreements United Mine Worke fward indey tl H ing's Contention The letter added that at nothing could be done except to en-| able men willing to work in safety | the | problem of independe |7 I < of America to- LARGE PLUMS LARGE WATERMELONS Each 50c PEACH: quart l Oc PEACHES SWEET Replying to Governor's Groesbeck | original proposal that state take over and operate the mines in Michi- | gan the president said DIV Letter To Governor tates.” col B “I do not know whether vou have Oppose Bolsheviks I and that the big issue the coal | the persuasive power to effect a vol- | may 1 strike dispute was onal dictation agreement in Michigan, but 1[wt o int “unhesitatingly assumed by the mine |think it fair to assume you would not worke st be taken care|enforce such an arr the in July doren 33€ dozen 250 25¢ 1l agreements, SUNKIST o e & mrobe LEMO? FANCY APPLES YROE} hwab, a WILL WED. livorcee, and Mrs. e granted rning at the Thompson. both reside at yresent ‘an attempt to debase t 1 P TING . 3 quarts LARGE RIPE BANANAS Eh vietism upon the state, b The c untary ) power an City mtracting parties i Franklin street h m — ANOTHER BIG TIRE SALE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY — -K TIREand VULCANIZING CO. 100-102 West Main St. Next to Post Office FACTORY TRAINED MAN IN CHARGE OF ALL VULCANIZING