Anthracite culm and silt / by James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead ; a cooperative study between the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey, Pennsylvania Water and Power Resources Board, United States Bureau of Mines

Name: Anthracite culm and silt / by James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead ; a cooperative study between the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey, Pennsylvania Water and Power Resources Board, United States Bureau of Mines
Author: Sisler, James D. (James Donaldson)

Sisler, James D. (James Donaldson)

Anthracite culm and silt / by James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead ; a cooperative study between the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey, Pennsylvania Water and Power Resources Board, United States Bureau of Mines

Sisler, James D. (James Donaldson) · 1928 · Historical

Anthracite culm and silt / by James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead ; a cooperative study between the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic…

Public-domain full text preserved in the Mountain Man Mining Library. Original source: archive.org.

Pennsylvania Geological Survey Fourth Series

Bulletin M-12

Anthracite Culm And Silt

By

James D. Sisler, Thomas

Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead

A Cooperative Study

between the

PENNSYLVANIA TOPOGRAPHIC AND GEOLOGIC SURVEY Geo. H. Ashley, State Geologist

PENNSYLVANIA WATER AND POWER RESOURCES BOARD Charles E. Ryder, Chief Engineer

United States Bureau Of Mines

Scott Turner, Director

Harrisburg, Pa.

Department of Property and Supplies for the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Additional copies

ot this publication may be procured from Bureau of Publications Department of Property and Supplies Harrisburg, Pa. at

50 cents per copy

LETTER OF TRAvSMITTAL

Hon. James F. Woodward,

Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs,

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Sir:

I am transmitting herewith manuscript, maps, and illustrations for a report covering recent detailed stiadies on the accumulation and use of the small sizes of anthracite.

The anthracite field today is facing a new situation. Competition is becoming very keen, and the industry is seeking all of the facts it can obtain bearing on the present losses and methods of better recovery, and of the uses that can be made of these fine sizes, which in the past have been more or less waste material.

The present report is the result of a triangular cooperation between the United States Bureau of Mines, the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey, and the Water and Power Resources Board of the Department of Forests and Waters, whose interest is in securing up to date information regarding conditions as they affect obstruction of streams by waste materials from the anthracite mines.

In the present study new methods of attack have been used, and it is believed that the information obtained will throw much light on problems on which we had all too little information.

It is hoped that the report will be of very much service to the anthracite industry, and to those interested in seeing the streams draining from the anthracite region relieved of the load of waste material now entering them.

Respectfully submitted.

lanuary 20, 1928 State Geologist

(3)

Illustrations

Page

PLATE I. Equipment used in sampling culm and silt 12

II. Bore bole used for silting mine workings at Stanton Colliery, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. The silt enters the bore hole through a wooden sluice . . 15

III. A. The Dorr thickener ; B. Pour Deister-Overstrom tables oil No. 4 buckwheat at Coaldale Colliery, handling underflow from Dorr hydroseparator 50

IV. A. Silt bank at Alliance Colliery. The entire valley is tilled with silt ; B. Wiconisco Creek near Elizabethville. The banks are covered with black slime 87

V. A. Middle Creek near its mouth. Silt bars are very numerous ; B. West Branch of Schuylkill River near Llewellyn. Silt in the foreground 89

VI. A. Silt deposits near Oak Ilill Colliery, Pine Hill

Coal Co. ; B. St. Clair Colliery silt bank. An example of an efficient bank ; C. Culm bank near Pine Knot Colliery, Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Co 91

VII. A. Schuylkill River at Cumbola; B. Culm bank at

Cumbola 98

VIII. A. Silt bank on Silver Creek. A perfect settling

basin; B. Silt bank on Silver Creek 99

IX. A. Silt bank at Mary D Colliery, Hazle Brook Coal Co. ; B. Silt storage at Mary D Colliery, Hazle Brook Coal Co. The silt is transported by scraper line 101

X. A. Coaldale Breaker silt bank; B. Settling tank at

Lansford Colliery 104

XI. A. Looking up Mahanoy Creek near its mouth. The water is always black, when the mines are working.

B. Looking down Mahanoy Creek near its mouth 100

XII. A. Shamokin Creek, six miles from its mouth. Silt bars are prevalent and the banks are mucky ; B.

Shamokin Creek near its mouth. Silt is deposited in each bend of the creek 108

XIII. A. Quaker Run near Shamokin ; B. Plumes carrying Shamokin Creek through the valley west of Mount Carmel. These flumes concentrate the water and the creek keeps its artificial channel clean HO

XIV. A. Stream conditions at Mount Carmel ; B. Stream

conditions at Mount Carmel. Much of the silt and culm has been removed ; C. Shamokin Creek west of Mount Carmel. The washery in the background was used to recover creek coal 114

XV. A. Silt in Mahanoy Creek at Draper Colliery ; B.

View up Mahanoy Creek from the Prackville road ;

C. Mahanoy Creek near Gilberton. The channel

is dredged to keep it clean 121

XVI. A. Mouth of Nescopeck Creek. Large sand and coal

bar in the foreground : B. Nescopeck Creek near Catawissa. Its rapid fall keeps the channel clean 125

XVII. A. Black Creek near Eckley Colliery ; B. The new channel of Black Creek. It was moved away from the mine workings ; C. View on Black Creek. The water is very black when, the collieries are working 127

(6)

Xxi:

A. Silt in the valley at Stockton. The road has been raised ten feet ; E. Stream deposit at Beaver Meadows looking up-stream. The silt has a maximum thickness of 20 feet

A. Pardee Bros. & Co. Lattimer Breaker. New mechanical equipment for recovering and cleaning the silt is being installed at this breaker ; B. Hazle Brook in Weatherly. The narrow channel and a fairly rapid fall keep the creek bed clean of silt . .

A. Sandy Run near Weatherly; B. Scotch Run near its mouth. Both mountain streams are polluted and carry silt

A. Slush-burning boiler plant, Susquehanna No. 7 Colliery, Nanticoke. This company is the leader in utilizing waste material; B. Settling tank and scraper line for desliming silt for power plant fuel at Susquehanna No. 7 Colliery, Nanticoke

A. Reclaiming silt and culm hydraulically at No. 7 Colliery, Susquehanna Collieries Co., Nanticoke; B. Silt in Newport Creek. Many collieries drain water into this creek

A. Chauncey breaker, George P. Lee Coal Co. One of the first breakers to install the Chance cone ; B. Silt bank at Chauncey Colliery showing pipe line delivering silt and water from breaker

A. Ilollenbach Park, Wilkes-Barre. Silting by Mill Creek ; B. Butler Breaker and washery, Pennsylvania Coal Co. (under construction). A modern colliery, designed to recover all sizes of coal

A. Ravines in old bank at No. 6 Colliery, Pennsylvania Coal Co. Erosion works havoc on old un- ])rotected banks ; B. Steam shovel in position for loading silt at Edgerton Colliery, Temple Coal (Jo.

A. New bank at Sunnyside Colliery. An ideal settling bank. Note boards in position as retainers ; B. Sunnyside Colliery, Humbert (Joal Co. New silt bank. The hole in the lower left corner is where a sample was taken

A. Forest City breaker and silt flume. To illustrate how silt is delivered to a silt bank. B. Lower silt basin at Underwood Colliery, Pennsylvania Coal Co. looking toward silt delivery end from roadway. The water spreads over the entire bank

A. River coal on flat boats above Harrisburg. Waiting to be towed to unloading dock ; B. Mechanical separation of the coal from sand and water

A. River coal dredge and stern wheel steamer at Harrisburg ; B. Unloading river coal from flat boat by mechanical digger and delivery to truck, near Harrisburg

A. Coxe stokers under 612 h. p. boilers at Cornell University ; B. Detail of bar showing method of attaching keys ; C. Coxe stoker grate keys

Coxe stoker views.

XXXII. A. Furnace for the determination of volatile matter of coal ; B. Drying oven for the determination of moisture content of coal. Both pictures are in the laboratories of the United States Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh

XXXIII. Calorimeter for determining the heating value of coal, at the Pittsburg Station, United States Bureau of Mines

XXXIV. Map of anthracite silt and culm deposits In

Pago

pocket

Figures

I'll!,'?

1. A layout for a drag line scraper in the Western Middle Field -3

2. A mining system for a drag line scraper in room and pillar work 25

3. A longwall system used in the Northern Field 27

4. Steep pitch mining in the Panther Creek District 31

5. A simple longwall operation, using face conveyors 32

G. A longwall method using undercutters and face conveyors 33

7. A longwall face with two conveyors ; one for coal and one for filling 34

8. Diagonal longwall mining on a medium 35

9. A variation in the longwall method, showing a better arrangement of

conveyors 3G

10. Very thick bed being mined longwall with back filling 37

11. Diagrammatic arrangement of the Chance coal cleaner 40

12. Flow sheet of a c-omplete llheolaveur plant 43

13. Counter-current coal washing system 45

14. Sectional view showing assembly of hydroseparator with motor pump

and dewatering tank 47

15. Hydraulic coal thickening, classifying and wasliing machine (sectional

view) 48

IG. Principle of operation and construction of Hardinge super thickener

and clarifier 49

17. The Dorr thickener, with steel tank. Wood stave tanks used for coal

work 52

18. Section through boiler plant equipped with Lopulco pulverized fuel

system 78

19. Occurrence of river and creek coal 169

20. Water sampling dipper 183

21. Graphs of screen analyses of bank samples 188

(8)

Preface

The United States Bureau of Mines and the Topographic and Geologic Survey of Pennsylvania have, as one of their policies, been gathering information concerning certain phases of the mineral industry when public interest seems to demand it.

The silt and culm deposits in the anthracite region have been increasing in value each year. A product which has been more than waste — a nuisance, is now of value, and will increase in value as the price of anthracite increases.

The anthracite silt and culm study has as its basis two general problems. The flr.st phase of this report is to answer the questions of briquetting companies, public service corporations, fuel burning companies, foundries, machine shops, cement plants, and river coal operators. Where are the silt and culm deposits to be found? How much of this material is available? What is its quality? How can it be used? All of these questions are answered in this bulletin.

The second of the investigation concerns stream pollution and channel silting. Tliis part of the investigation was carried on by the Water and Power Resources Board of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the study was not to lay a basis for future legislation, but to determine accurately just where stream pollution and silting originates, what is being done to stop it, and to determine if any progress has been made since 1915, when the last study was made.

The field work began July 1, 1925, under the direction of James D. Sisler, Associate Geologist, of the Topographic and Geologic Survey of Pennsylvania. He collected information concerning 309 silt and culm acciimulations exclusive of the stream deposits in the anthracite regions, or 98 per cent of the total accumulations. This work was done in six months. Mr. Dever C. Ashmead represented the United States Bureau of Mines and the Water and Power Resources Board of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ashmead studied the relation of mining to the production of fine size anthracite, and the stream conditions in the anthracite region.

Mr. Thomas Fraser, a former engineer with the United States Bureau of Mines, and a professor of mining engineering at West Virginia University, began the sampling of 190 or more representative silt and culm deposits May 1, 1929. The field work was completed in November, 1926. The tables in this publication are Mr. Fraser's work. He also wrote the manuscript on sampling procedure, and contributed much to other ]>arts of the report.

The samples were analyzed by 5Ir. H. 1. Cooper at the Pittsburgh Station of the United States Bureau of Mines.

Acknowledgments.

The writers wish to thank and give credit to numerous individuals and companies for their contributions to this report.

(9)

The Eheolaveur Corporatiou laboratories made all the float and sink tests.

The State Mine Inspectors contributed much information, and many of them acted as Mr. Sisler's guide through the anthracite region.

The coal companies generally were extremely courteous in giving information, time and labor to the authors.

E. A. Holbrook, Dean of the School of Mines and Metallurgy, Pennsylvania State College, J. W. Paul, chief mining engineer, Pittsburgh Station of the United States Bureau of Mines, George H. Ashley, State Geologist, and Charles E. Kyder, chief engineer of the Water and Power Eesources Board, made many of the suggestions which formed the basis of the report, and furnished guidance to its completion.

The text was edited by K. W. Stone, Assistant State Geologist, Topographic and Geologic Survey of Pennsylvania.

.4r:1

,

tube, scales, sample cans

Anthracite Culm And Silt

By James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead

Pennsylvania has produced 5,500,000,000 tons of anthracite. Active mining started in 1830 and has increased until the annual production ranges from 80,000,000 to 85,000,000 tons. In mining anthracite 10 to 15 per cent of the coal is of very fine size, and can be marketed and used only in prepared form or on specially constructed grates. Nine million to 10,000,000 tons of this fine sized material is jiroduced each year in the anthracite region. In addition to this tine sized material several million tons of rock are brought to 1lie surface* and piled on huge rock banks. The disposal of this waste material has lieconie a serious problem in the antliracite region. Tlie level land areas are at a premium because anthracite occurs in basins with steep-pitching slopes and the natural topography coincides with the structure, that is, the basins are flanked on both sides by mountains and streams flow through the valleys.

The valley in which the Northern Anthracite Field occurs is broader than those of the other fields and naturally provides more storage for this waste material. This land is valuable for building purposes and it is difficult to And suitable locations for waste banks.

In order to make room for more waste material much fine sized coal, boiler ashe.s, and pulverized rock is allowed to go into the streams each year. This silting has resulted in serious damage at numerous localities. Within the last few years many of the banks have been worked over and the good coal recovered from them. This has relieved, of course, the accumulation of silt. also have been taking more interest in the proper means of settling and storing the fine material. At certain localities the stream beds have been dredged and at some localities the material has been entirely removed.

Disposal of Anthracite Culm and Silt

Steep-pitch mining makes it necessary to bring to the surface all material which is mined. The coal which goes to the top of the breaker is mixed with rock and slate. The breaker separates the impurities from the coal, and the rock and slate are discharged on rock banks on the breaker property. The fine sized material, which is visually 60 to 85 per cent combustible, issues from the breaker with the breaker water. Some companies let this material go directly into the streams, but it is common practice to settle the water so that the largest pieces of the material are recovered. This settling is effected in numerous ways. The most prevalent means

(13)

is by biiilding uj) a silting dam or bank. A silt bank is started by boarding up a suitable area and the water runs over this area at a low gradient and deposits most of its burden before it flows over the boards. As the area behind the boards gradually Alls up the edges of the bank are raised higher by the addition of more boards and by piling silt against them to hold the weight of the material. This process is repeated until the silt dam has been built up 20 or 30 feet. This manner of settling is very good provided the stream of breaker water is turned into numerous channels upon entering the silt bank. If the water is not spread out fan shape over the bank it runs directly through it, does not deposit any of its material, and takes with it some of the material which has already been deposited on the bank. In order to correctly settle silt in this manner it is necessary to have a man constantly on the location directing the course of the breaker water, building up the sides of the bank, and raising the sluices for the clarified water to escape from the bank. The water which soaks through the bank and comes out at the bottom is practically clear, and if the water is properly settled before it reaches the sluices which are placed in the walls of the bank, it also is practically clear.

At locations where land is at a premium or the hillsides are steep, breaker water is generally settled in a tank. This tank is usually constructed of concrete of a size large enough to adequately take care of the entire output of water. This tank is usually divided into two or more compartments; the water is run into it and deposits the largest sizes in the first compartment. The sizes become smaller in each succeeding compartment, and if the tank is large enough and is not allowed to All up, the water is practically clear when it issues from it. The silt which has accumulated in the tank is removed by an automatic scraper line or a suction pump. The great difficulty with this method of settling is that some companies are somewhat neglectful and allow the tanks to All up with silt and the water runs directly through them without settling the material.

Numerous settling tanks, thickeners, and clariflers are on the market and are described in the chapter on preparation. These mechanical devices are almost perfect in their action. Breaker water which is heavily ladened with material can be settled within a short time so that it issues as clear water from the tank. The action of these tanks can be regulated so that any percentage of the material can be separated from the water.

The Northern Anthracite Field is thickly populated and mining is carried on beneath valuable surface properties. It is necessary to provide proper support for these properties and in order not to leave large tonnages of virgin coal in pillars many companies are using silt for mine Ailing. When the coal is removed silt is flowed into the opening. It gradually consolidates and forms solid pillars and permits the mining of the solid coal pillar which has been temporarily left for surface support. Thousands of tons of silt have been used for mine Ailing in the Northern Anthracite Field and some has been used in the other flelds. The method of mine flushing varies but little. The silt is usually mixed with water

and pumped or dropped inside the mine through a bore hole or through a pipe in the shaft. It is conveyed to the proper place by pipes, or on steep pitches it is allowed to find its own course. Bulkheads are built of substantial wood to prevent the spread of the material throughout the entire mine. These bulkheads are sufficiently porous to permit the water to drain out of the silt. After standing for a few months the silt is consolidated and it is pos-

Plate Ii

Bore hole used for silting mine workings at Stanton Colliory, Lehigh & Wilkes- Barre Coal Co. The silt enters the bore hole through a wooden sluice.

sible to drive gangways through it. The use of silt as mine filling not only prevents subsidence but it holds up the roof inside the mine and makes possible higher percentages of recovery.

Some of the rock which is a by-product of coal mining, is pulverized and sent back into the mines. Boiler ashes are also used for mine flushing. This process has resulted in the removal of large silt banks in the Northern Field and has reduced the surface accumulation of this material.

Definitions

The term culm has evolved in its meaning since the beginning of anthracite mining. In the early days of the industry practically all the coal was prepared dry. The fine-sized material, as well as the sizes which were not marketable at that time, were deposited along with the waste material in huge banks on the breaker property. These banks contain from 50 to 80 per cent coal, and some of them have large percentages of steam sizes in them. These banks have been practically removed with the exception of those owned by large companies in the Southern Field. These banks are known as culm banks. A culm bank is defined as an accumulation of rock, bone, and coal from an old dry breaker.

A rock bank is the refuse from a modern wet breaker. These rock banks contain from 1 to 5 per cent of marketable coal, and are of no value except for mine filling.

A silt bank is an accumulation of line-size coal, bone, and slate which is settled out of breaker water. This material is known also as sludge, fines, slush, and mud.

Breaker water is the water which is used in the breaker jigs during the preparation of coal.

Drip or waste water is the water which drips from the storage bins and from railroad cars after the coal has been loaded.

Mine water is the water which is drained or piimped from a mine or drift. This water contains a small percentage of solids.

Mud, slime or sludge is refuse material from a breaker which passes through a 200 mesh screen.

Size and Number of Silt and Culm Banks

During war time and strike periods since 1915 a large number of the old clum banks were worked over. Some of these banks have been sold to public service corporations as reserves of boiler fuel, others are being held in reserve by large companies for emergency fuel. These banks range in size from very small accumulations to 5,000,000 tons of material. Most of the banks of any value contain a few hundred thousand tons of material. These banks vary greatly in quality and in size. Some of the older banks contain 80 per cent coal. The newer banks contain from 20 to 60 per cent marketable coal.

Silt banks also vary much in size and quality. These banks range from a few thousand to 10,000,000 tons in size. The silt usually contains from 15 to 50 per cent ash. Some of the banks have been mixed with boiler ashes and are of little value. The banks which have been very seriously with ashes have not been estimated.

Old culm banks and new rock banks have been used for the settling of breaker water. This has resulted in a mixture of culm and silt or rock and silt. If the mixture is culm and silt the bank is of great value, but if the mixture is rock and silt the value of the material is problematical.

Conclusions

General Conclusions

The large population and great wealth of the anthracite region is directly attributable to the occurrence and mining of anthracite. Before 1830 the valleys in the anthracite region were forested and were the sites of numerous small clearings where farmers were beginning to cultivate the fields. The discovery and subsequent development of anthracite has changed the appearance of the anthracite district. It is no longer a region of forests and fertile fields. Mine water has most of the streams, the surface is scarred with holes where mine workings have fallen in, and enormous piles of rock, silt, and cnlm have accumulated. If anthracite were not being mined the valleys would be fertile farm lands, and the mountains between the valleys would be forested.

In viewing the apparent clestnicliveness of mining one mnst not forget the great wealth which lias come from this industry and the great benefit that is has been to the development of all of Pennsylvania's resources. The anthracite industry drew to Pennsylvania many of its Scotch, Welsh, and English ])pioneers. It has provided fuel for thousands of homes for 100 years ; it has brought prosper'ity to thousands of people. The havoc which anthracite mining has done to the streams and forests in the anthracite field is nothing in comparison with the great influence it has had upon the development of Pennsylvania.

The anthracite industry is the basic industry of the region. Without it the area would he depopulated. The pollution of streams by mine water, the silting of channels by waste material, and the destruction of vegetation by mining is a necessary evil of this industry.

It does not follow, however, that an effort should not be made to reduce these objectionable features in the mining of coal to the lowest practical limit, without curtailing production or materially affecting the cost to the consumer. This investigation seems to indicate that there is opportunity for marked improvement in the disposal of waste material from the mines and breakers; in fact, improvement has already occurred because of the recovery in the breakers of the finer sizes and the use of silt for mine filling, and there is every reason to believe that if the coal should unite and co-operate in a general study of the problem, methods could be devised or present methods improved and put in more common use, with increased efficiency in operation, which would greatly reduce the quantity of silt at present being discharged into the streams in the Anthracite Eegion.

Specific Conclusions

The sampling work upon which the following estimates of silt production and fine coal losses are based, extended from May 1 to December 1, 1926, a period of seven months. Banks at 17 collieries were sampled. The aggregate production of these collieries iii 192.j was 10,661,000 tons. This was approximately 17 per cent of the total production of anthracite. Twenty-two of these collieries are in the iSiortherii Field; eight are in the Eastern Middle Field; eight in the Western Middle Field, and nine are in the Southern Field. Extensive accumulations of culm and silt in the valley of Beaver Creek and in the Mahanoy Valley also were sampled.

Although sampling work was done at only a comparatively small proportion of all the operating collieries, the collieries selected for study were so distributed as to rejiresent the entire field geographically. They were selected after a careful survey of the field during the previous season, so as to include operations using all the variations of mining, preparation, and silt handling methods.

This investigation was extensive enough to obtain reliable data as to the quality of coal in silt accumulations throughout the field and to estimate the total annual production of silt. Although there is great variation in both the quality and quantity of fines in the coal which is produced in the anthracite fields, the variations are largely regional and were considered by separately treating the numerous distinct areas in which mining conditions are similar.

D— 2

The methods of storing and disposing of silt and slimes and handling of waste water vary so greatly that it is much more difficult to arrive at a general estimate of losses of fine coal. Discharge of fine coal from preparation plants which were visited in this survey ranged from none to 15 per cent of tire total tonnage of prepared coal. Averages of such diverse size are of little value for specific application in any one operation. However, some general conclusions are obvious from the results of the study. Measurements were made at operations representing all methods and all degrees of effectiveness in silt storing practice to be found in the anthracite field.

Quality of coal in silt. The quality of coal in silt banks in the anthracite field was found to range widely both as to purity and percentage of commercial sizes. There are general regional differences in the character of the coal beds and the mining conditions that affect the character of the silt which is produced in the various miningdistricts. There are still greater local variations in the silt deposits and cnrrent silt which is produced at various collieries, due mainly to (1) age of banks, (2) methods of handling silt, (3) method of cleaning coal, and (4) effectiveness of sizing screens.

Percentage of oversize. The common practice in screening in modern plants is to make the smallest commercial size over screens with 3/32-inch round holes. At a few plants No. 4 buckwheat (No. 2 barley) is shipped intermittently and at some plants 1/46-inch holes or a combination of 1/lG inch and 3/32-inch holes is used to obtain a certain percentage of undersize coal in the No. 3 buckwheat (No. 1 barley). Whatever the local screening practice may be, it generally aims to discharge from the breaker no coal larger than 3/32 inch, which is the lower standard size limit of No. 3 buckwheat coal. Coal found in the silt discharge or in the silt banks that will not pass through a 3/32-inch testing screen is, therefore, regarded as a loss of marketable size coal.

The percentage of oversize in new banks and current silt beifig produced at the collieries where samples were taken varied in the Northern Field from 1 to IG per cent, with many more observations nearer the lower limit than the upper. The normal may be taken as 4 to G per cent, and many collieries lose only 1 to 2 per cent of commercial sized coal in the silt. This loss varies greatly all over the anthracite field due primarily to differences in screening practice. There is little difference as a whole among the different mining fields. A high percentage of oversize in the silt is apparently more common in the Southern Field than elsewhere, with the exception of the mines in the Panther Valley, which have reduced this loss to practically nothing. In most plants where auxiliary silt shakers are in use to rescreen the silt just before it goes to the bank, the loss of No. 2 buckwheat is under 2 per cent.

Percentage of slime. The percentage of slime, or material which passes through 200 mesh, in the silt which is produced is subject to considerable regional variation. It increases generally from north to south and from east to west with local variations. This is primarily due to differences in the f inability of the coal and the pitch of the coal beds. The percentage of 200 mesh material in samples of silt from fresh mined coal ranged from 13 to 15 per cent at most of the Wyoming Valley collieries to over 30 per cent at others in the South-

ern Field. Screen analyses were made by band testing with Tyler screens on dry coal, and probably gave results which were consistently 3 to 5 per cent lower than the same samples would give by wet screening.

The percentage of fines in silt banks primarily depends upon the method of handling the silt from the washery to the bank and the effectiveness of settling. Locally, therefore, silt accumulations vary, in the proportion of material through 200 mesh, from 2 per cent up to the total quantity in the original silt produced from mine-run coal or even more if much bank coal has been handled in the preparation plant. The effect of various methods of handling and storing silt in retaining or eliminating slime is discussed more completely uuder silt handling methods.

Ash content and calorific value. The purity of the fine coal discharged at various collieries in the anthracite field varies, like the size, with local mining conditions and preparation practices. There is a fairly general adherence to certain regional averages. Disregarding exceptional cases, where unfavorable conditions prevail, the raw silt discharged from plants which treat fresh-mined coal in the Wyoming Valley, is 20 to 25 per cent ash. In the Eastern Middle Field it normally is 25 to 30 per cent ash, and in the Western Middle and Southern fields from 30 to 40 per cent, decreasing toward the west. Lykens Valley silt is particularly low in ash. Float-and-sink tests show that throughout the anthracite field it is possible to reduce the ash content of the silt to 10 or 12 per cent by rejection of 15 to 60 per cent of the raw material as refuse. The high ash content of the raw untreated silt in certain fields is accounted for by the excessive quantity of dirt that is intermixed with it in mining and not to an inherently high ash content in the coal.

The calorific value of the coal in silt banks that have stood for some time is a little lower than that of fresh-minded coal of the same ash content. This deterioration varies with the age of the bank and was over 4 per cent in the most extreme case of weathering. The coal in banks which are in use for storing silt and that have been accumulating for 5 to 10 years, has 100 to 200 B. t. u. per pound lower calorific value than fresh-mined coal samples of the same ash content from the same colliery. In banks that have been exposed for 40 years, this ditference is as much as 500 B. t. u. pound.

In normal fresh-mined silt, to which no slate has been added in the preparation plant, the finer sizes increase progressively in ash content with decrease in size so that the dust through 200 mesh, which is of suitable size for burning as powdered coal without grinding, is practically worthless because of high ash content. At most collieries where samples were taken, this produce contained approximately 50 per cent ash. The only exception observed was in the extreme western part of the Western Middle Field. There the finest material in the silt samples is cleaner than the coarse sizes.

Volatile matter. Many of the high-ash fine-coal samples have an abnormally high percentage of volatile matter. (See the tables at the end of this volume). This is attributable to the presence of water of hydration in the ash-forming minerals of the sample

and does not represent the percentage of combustible volatile matter. For example, in the Buttonwood silt bank sample, the product through 200 mesh showed 13.7 per cent volatile by the standard method of determining volatile matter. The total Avater content, determined by the Pentield tube method, was 9.8 per cent and the moisture driven off by drying at 105° C. in the standard method for approximate analysis was only 4.9 per cent. Therefore, the sample retained 4.9 per cent of combined water that was driven off by heating to higher temperature in the volatile determination and was reported as volatile matter; deducting this amount from the per cent of volatile matter as determined gives 8.8 per cent for the actual combustible volatile matter.

Estimated yearly silt production. Estimates based on the ratio of current silt production to lu'oduction of prepared coal at all the mines that were sampled in the four major divisions of the anthracite held h.xes the total annual productiou of silt at approximately 8,900,000 tons.

Plants handling fresh-mined coal in the Wyoming Valley held produce about 13 per cent as much silt as prepared coal. In the Eastern Middle Field the ratio of silt to prepared coal is abonr 1G.5 per cent, in the Western Middle Field 14 per cent, and in the Southern Field 17.5 per cent. At the collieries in the Western Middle Field Avhere sampling Avas done, a comparatively large proportion of the coal Avas being draAvn from stripping operations, and the proportion of silt may, for this reason, be loAver than the average of the coal mined in this district.

Losses of fine coal in waste water. The quantity of coal lost in Avaste Avater discharged into the streams depends entirely upon the method of handling it at individual mines and has no relation whatever to geographic position or mining conditions. Furthermore, the extreme variation in couditons may be and often is found at adjacent collieries. Hence the average ratios of fine coal lost to prepared coal shipped in the different districts are of no significance Avhen they are applied to individual collieries, but have been used only for estimating the total loss through silt-laden Avater discharge in the anthracite field as a Avhole. The laAV of averages and the of obserAUtions make this estimate approximately correct.

At the collieries studied in the Northern Field the loss of fine coal in Avaste Avater discharged from the preparation plants amounted to l.G per cent of the quantity of coal shipped. In the Eastern Middle Field this ratio Avas 1.3 per cent, in the Western Middle Field is 2.7 per cent, and in the Southern Field 1.8 per cent. The total loss (ff' fine coal in Avater discharged into the streams is approximately 1,150,000 tons a year.

Screen analyses show that practically all this material is finer than the smallest of the present commercial sizes of coal and is comparatively high in ash content. At only three of the collieries which were examined was any appreciable quantity of coal of commercial size being discharged directly into the streams, and at one of these properties measures have since been taken to minimize this

loss. This survey of conditions showed that very little valuable coal is now being discarded directly from preparation plants into the streams.

Practically all the coal of marketable size which is being added to the stream deposits must be washing out of culm, silt, and rock banks that are subject to stream action or erosion in time of heavy rains and floods.

Quantity of Culm and Silt Stored in Banks in the Anthracite Region

The following table gives the quantity of culm, silt, and mixed material by fields in long tons.*

Field Culm Silt IVIixed Total

Southern 37,745,000 36,815,000 10,000,000 84,560,000

Western Middle .. 43,785,000 40,735,000 17,175,000 101,695,000

Eastern Middle . . . 2,430,000 6,200,000 1,385,000 10,015,000

Northern 8,125,000 8,035,000 1,795,000 17,955,000

Total for all fields 92,085,000 91,785,000 30,355,000 214,225,000

These tonnages are not recoverable marketable coal. The material composing these banks ranges from 20 to 80 per cent combustible material.

Quantity of Culm and Silt in the Streams within the Anthracite Region

It is absolutely impossible to estimate the quantity of material in the streams in the anthracite region, but some of the larger deposits have been estimated and these estimates lead to a reasonable guess that in the streams in the anthracite region and leading from it there are accumulated at least 900,000,000 tons of material which contain enough coal to make them profitable for future recovery.

Production Of Fine Size Anthracite

Introduction

The methods of mining have more influence upon the production of small-size anthracite than any other mechanical cause. Improvements in mining methods have not kept pace with improvements in the preparation and handling of the coal after it has been mined.

Coal beds from 18 inches to 100 feet thick are mined in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. The coal varies in hardness and physical character. The coal beds are flat in some localities and pitch to a maximum of 90 degrees in others. In many localities the pitch is reversed. The beds are broken and crushed by the stresses which were present when the rocks were folded.

In the Northern Field the coal is very hard. The beds lie in a basin which is roughly canoe-shaped. In the center of the field the beds are comparatively flat, but on the edges of the field the beds rise toward the mountain and steep pitch mining is necessary. In the vicinity of Nanticoke and in the general southwest end of the Northern Field folding and faulting has occurred and the coal beds are badly distorted. Large faults and displacements make mining difficult and the coal beds have been crushed.

In the Eastern Middle Field the coal lies in small canoe-shaped basins with steep pitching flanks. In some localities the basins have flat bottoms but in general the folding has been very sharp, and three-fourths of the coal which is mined occurs in steep pitches. The coal is as hard as that in the Northern Field, but the recovery is not so great. A large quantity of fine-sized coal is produced in the Eastern Middle Field because of the physical character of the coal.

In the Western Middle Field the coal is not so hard as in the Northern and Eastern Middle Fields. There is some flat bed mining in the district, but in general the coal lies on steep pitches.

The coal in the Soxtthern Field has suffered much crushing, faulting, and folding. The beds have slid on each other and a large percentage of the coal is crushed. The coal is extremely friable and steep pitch mining, which is necessary practically throughout the entire region, adds to the percentage of fine sizes. The beds occur in basins, the bottoms of which are flat in small areas. Practically all of the coal is mined on steep pitches. In the northern fish-tail of the Southern Field the beds have slid on themselves so that a large percentage of the coal has been broken down to pea, buckwheat, and finer. The percentage of domestic sizes is very small. On the southern pitch of the Lykens district the coal is harder, but is soft compared to that of the Northern and Eastern Middle Field. In the central part of the Southern Field the coal

(22)

Figure 1

A layout for a drag lino scraper in the Western Middle Field.

is fairly hard but a large quantity of fine sizes is produced. In the Panther Creek district the coal beds are very thick. The Mammoth bed has a maximum thickness of 100 feet in this area. It lies on exceedingly steep pitches and has been badly disturbed by folding and faulting.

Mining Methods

The room and pillar system of mining is mostly used in the anthracite region. In the earlier days of the industry no attention was given to efficient recovery of the coal. Only first mining was done. Long gangways were driven and rooms were turned oft' and worked to their limit. The pillars were left undisturbed as the operators tliought that they would never want to recover them. As a result the roof has caved and the chambers are filled with fallen rock which makes it exceedingly difficult to go back now and recover valuable coal Avhich remains in the pillars. In driving the chambers coal is shot off the solid. Holes 6 to 8 feet deep are drilled in the coal and filled Avith very heavy charges of explosives. The coal is bloAvn down, and OAving to the heavy charge a large quantity of fine-sized coal is produced.

The rooms stand from 18 to 40 feet in Avidth, Avith Iavo tight ribs to each working place. This of course means that heavier charges must be used in bloAving the coal from the ribs. In the past this feature AA*as not serious for coal was not as valuable as it is noAV, but at the present time it is necessary for the smaller sizes to pay at least part of the cost of mining domestic sizes. It is extremely desirable to obtain the largest percentage of domestic sizes possible. In order* to produce larger percentages of domestic sizes some of the coal companies are using an undercutting machine. This macliine makes a complete cut across the working face to a depth of 6 feet. It is then to break down the coal by a lighter charge of explosives. A larger percentage of domestic sizes results.

In the recovery of pillars Avhich were left from former room and pillar mining it is customary to drive a pillar hole up throiigh the middle of the pillar and then draAV back the pillars. No mechanical means of undercutting is used. These holes are very narroAV and all of the Avork is tight. A large quantity of explosives is necessary to bloAV down the coal. In many collieries it is not possible to drive pillar holes, particularly in the old Avorkings, as the pillars are too thin. If a pillar hole is drive up in them they are Aveakened and a squeeze results. In recovering pillars of this type it is necessary either to take a slab off the pillar or clean up the old chamber so that a roadway can be laid parallel to the rib of the pillars. If the pillar is strong enough the slab is usually taken. In this method the quantity of fine sizes is usually less than that produced Avhen a pillar hole is used. Best results are obtained Avhen the old chamber is cleaned np and a roadway laid parallel to the pillar, for then the pillar can be draAvn in its entirety from the upper end and as the Aveight of the roof settles upon the pillar the coal is loosened and less explosives are required to shoot it. A larger percentage of lump coal results.

Figure 2

A milling system for a drag line scraper in room and pillar work.

Ill addition to the room and pillar method of minin'i; a modilication somewhat similar to longwall mining is being used. Instead of driving a single room 18 to 40 feet wide, the rooms are driven double or tripple and are from 60 to 100 feet wide. This gives a long face at the end of the room. The number of tight corners and the quantity of small size coal is reduced and less explosive is necessary. However, in this system of mining it is necessary to hack-till in order to support the root. This method is used only in thin beds

where the quantity of back-fill is reduced to the minimum. Mining by this method is done in coal 5 to 6 feet thick, but it is general practice not to mine in this manner when the coal is more than 3 feet tliick. In order to recover the pillars it is necessary to completely All the old chambers in order to give protection to the men working on the pillars, although it is not necessary to use back-filling to any extent wheu the room is being driven.

Where this system of side rooms is used it is generally customary to undercut the coal with a mining machine. This again reduces the quantity of explosive used to break down the coal and even in thin coal where the mining machine is used it is found that the percentage of domestic sizes is not materially reduced although onesixth of the height of the coal is cut away by the mining machine. This shows that by undercutting coal a much larger percentage of domestic sizes can be produced from a bed.

A semi-long wall method of mining anthracite has been experimented with in various forms. The variations in method are in the manner in which coal is handled from the working face to the gangway. At most places the coal is undercut, but in a few it is shot from the solid. At one colliery the coal is loaded by hand into a face conveyor which drags the coal along a trough and discharges it into the mine car at the end of the conveyor. This system of handling probably causes less degradation than the others. This installation is not perfect by any means because the coal is chipped and crushed somewhat when it drops a distance of 4 feet from the conveyor to the mine car. This breakage could be eliminated by placing a pan at the end of the conveyor which Avould permit the coal to slide gently to the mine cars.

Another semi-longwall operation is in use in the Northern Field. This system of coal handling is not good, although the coal is undercut. In order to save breakage the men handle the coal by shovel from the working face to the end of the mine track and then load it by hand into the mine car. The coal must be shovelled three or more times before it reaches the mine car. Each time the coal is shovelled much breakage results.

Another method of handling coal at the face is by drag scraper. After the coal has been undercut or shot from the solid a scraper similar to a snow (plough but operating in the reverse direction is used. Instead of pushing the coal away it gathers it between the sides. The scraper is dragged along the length of the face to a discharge platform where the coal is dropped into the mine car. This could be entirely eliminated if other methods of handling the coal were used. At many places throughout the anthracite region the scraper is small and a couple of men can pick it up and throw it around. When the scraper is picked up and thrown into position it falls on large lumps of coal, cracks and breaks them into smaller pieces. There is very often a milling of the coal in the scraper as it passes down the chamber or across the face. This milling not only breaks the coal but it continually brings fresh coal into contact with the floor of the chamber and the resulting friction between the moving coal aud the floor causes a further degradation of coal.

Another method of handling coal at the face is by a certain type of belt conveyor. This belt is operated by a hoisting engine. It is dragged along the longwall face and the coal is loaded into it by hand. The coal moves along with the belt and as the belt is wound up the coal is discharged into the mine car. Probably there is less breakage with

this system of loading than any of the others which have been described, but there is a limit to the places in which a belt of this character can be nsed.

A new method of handling coal at the face is by the jigging conveyor. One colliery is using this method. The coal is loaded by hand into the conveyor and taken by it to the loading point. The movement of the coal in the conveyor is very gentle. There seems to be little or no degradation of the coal on its way from the working face to the mine car, bnt the degradation due to shovelling can possibly be considerably reduced by the installation of a self-loading device which is being used very successfully in soft coal mines in this country. This device operates as a shovel in a man's hand but instead of picking up the small quantity of coal that a man would on a shovel, it picks up a large quantity and the coal which comes in contact with the large shoveling device is less compared with that coming in contact with the hand shovel. There should be less degradation due to friction than there is when the coal is shovelled by hand. In beds where the pitch is too great to run the mine car up to the face, or where the coal is too thin to warrant the mine car going into the working face and where it would be too expensive to brush the roof to permit the entrance of the mine car, a buggy car is used. After the coal has been shot down it is loaded by hand into the buggy and then transported to the gangway where it is unloaded on a platform and shovelled by hand from the platform into a mine car. This additional handling of the coal increases the amount of degradation.

A system of mining called continuous first and second mining on steep pitches is used in the anthracite region. This system is closely related to the longwall system as all the coal is removed in practically one operation. The breasts are driven up the pitch in 50 foot centers and the broken coal stands on the boxes which support the roof. TVTien three breasts are completed, additional breasts are driven up and the coal is allowed to stand in the boxes. The breasts in the pillars are driven in steps, that is, the breast near the outside limit of the workings keeps in advance of the next breast and so on, and when the first pillar breast reaches its limit the coal in the breast to the right, provided the retreat is in the direction to its left, is drawn back when the breast in the second pillar reaches its limit. Then the coal in the breast in the first pillar is drawn. This means that at least two and sometimes three boxes of coal act as pillars for roof support between the point where men are working and where the coal has been drawn. Although this method of mining gives complete extraction, much degradation occurs. One of the unique features in the operation of this method is to rest the ends of the boxes in the breasts against a pillar of coal between the haulage gangway and the monkey heading. This gives additional strength to the boxes, but as there is no outlet at the lower end of the box, the surplus coal that is produced in mining by this method must be sent down the manways, which means that the coal bounds from timber to timber and much degradation takes place. When it is necessary to draw the coal from the breasts, instead of erqptying it directly into a mine car through a chute, it passes along the monkey drift for a short distance and then goes into a chute from which it is dropped into a mine car. The pressure of the coal in the box, its movement from

the hole which is made in the side of the box and its tr:ivelling throngh the monkey drift into the chute and into tlie mine car cause some breakage. There is not so much in the ]pillar coal, or pillar breasts as they are called, Ijecaiise the coal is dropped from the bottom of the box directly into the chute and then into the mine car. The coal has less distance to travel and therefore less degradation takes place.

Practically no longwall mining is being done in the Eastern Middle Field. A large number of jigging and shaking conveyors are being used in room and pillar work. A few scraper loaders are being used in room and pillar work, operated in batteries of four rooms. Most of the work is of the old pillar and breast mining on steep pitches. This system of mining is very likely to cause considerable breakage when the coal stands in the boxes. Squeezes very often bring weight upon them, and there is a tendency to crush the coal. If the closed type of box is used the surplus coal must be slopped over the top and it falls down the manway and is badly broken. If the open type of box is iised (with a battery and chute), the coal is drawn throiigh the box and none of it falls down the manway, and breakage that occurs is due to the friction of the coal on the walls of these boxes and the rubbing together of the pieces. If a breast is 150 feet long and on a pitch of 45° or more, there is considerable pressure on the lump coal that lies in the bottom of the boxes, and when the coal is drawn from the boxes a quantity is broken, if the coal is friable. Ilowever, in the Eastern Middle Field the coal is fairly hard so that the degradation is considerably less than in the Southern Field.

Stripping is another type of mining that has produced large quantities of coal from the Eastern Middle Field. Of course this system can be used only when the coal lies near the surface, and tlu' cover is relatively thin. "When the surface rock aud earth is removed and the coal is exposed, it is shot, and is then loaded by steam shovels into cars for transportation to the breaker.

Mechanical shovels used for this work px'oduce larger lumps of coal than can be produced by man power. Therefore, degradation of the coal is considerably less. Breakage, instead of occurring in the bed, occurs in the breaker, where the coal is crushed by specially designed rolls.

Comparatively little longwall work has lieen done in the AYestern Middle Field. Some experimental work has been done, and a few of the coal companies now feel that they can use a longwall system of mining and obtain better results than they have had with the old pillar and breast system. At some of the longwall faces drag scrapers are being used with their resulting loss of coal degradation. However, at one or two places the belt conveyor is used with excellent results according to reports received from the coal com])anies. In some of the flat districts of the field the ordinary room and pillar method of mining is being used. A drag scraper and shaking chutes transport the coal from the face of the chamber to the gangway. This saves the cost of brushing the roof in the low beds of coal, and gives a better method of haulage, which allows more continuous operation of the working face than if the mine car was placed in the face to be loaded by hand, AVhen a shaking chute or the scraper

loader is used, trips of mine cars can be placed on the gangway and dx'opped into position and loaded. The men are not delayed in loading coal, because they do not have to wait for the locomotive or the mule to remove the loaded car from the working place and bring in an empty. Even with the advantage of this greater loading capacity, the loss due to dragging of the coal may not compensate for the saving by continuous operation of the working face. An appreciable saving will result by the use of the shaking chute or conveyor for there is practically no loss in the breaking up of the coal and a saving results from continuous operation.

Mining conditions in the Southern Field are considerably different from those in most of the other fields. In the western end of the northern fish tail, the coal is very friable ; in fact it is so friable that one of tlie large companies operating in this district has driven its gangways in the underlying conglomerate and tunnels up to the coal so that a minimum number of gangways will be in the bed itself. They found it necessary to do this because the coal slides or runs, crushing the timbers and making it almost impossible to maintain the gangway for a considerable time. A monkey drift is driven above the short gangways in the coal. Raises are made to the bed above from this monkey drift, the coal shot and allowed to run. So far it has been impossible to control the running of the coal, and as a result a considerable quantity of fine sizes is produced. If there were any way to control this running and to load the mine cars without breakage there would be a very important saving, because of increased percentage of domestic sizes. The same physical conditions apply to all of the coal in the Short Mountain district. At the other collieries in this district they drive their gangways in the coal and maintenance is extremely difficult. Most of the collieries are using the old breast and pillar system of mining.

In the Minersville district a considerable quantity of fiat coal is found and shaking chutes and drag scrapers are being used in room and pillar work.

In the eastern end of the Southern Field where the beds are very thick, modified systems of breast and pillar mining are used, and, as far as possible, means are taken to reduce the breakage of coal. As yet, no important advance has taken place in mining methods that reduce the amount of degradation. A new method has been submitted to a large company in the Panther Creek district. It is as follows: (1) Gangways, chutes and stairways to be driven in

coal only. (2) Breasts next to tunnel pillar to be driven at regular intervals directly up the pitch from the gangway to the airway; broken coal to be drawn and a concrete mixture to be poured in, forming concrete pillars; this system to be continued along the gangway. (3) Tunnel pillars to be extracted and replaced with the concrete mixture; except places for air connection between gangway and airway (to be made in new concrete pillar). (4) Coal pillars between the concrete pillars to be entered by driving up a center chute to level above and robbing down. (5) Above airway first breast to be driven 10 to 12 feet wide 80 feet inside of tunnel pillar to the upper level; coal to be drawn and concrete mixture poured in from upper level; mine refuse being used in the mixture.

Figure 4

Steep pitch mining in the Panther Creek District.

The methods that are now in use in the anthracite region tend to produce a large quantity of fine sizes. If the undercutting machine were more generally used the percentage of small sizes would be decreased. More of the coal would break down into lump.

Numerous tight comers exist iu the present systems of mining. These corners require large quantities of explosive to break the coal down. The coal is crushed dowm to small sizes before it leaves the mine. If a larger percentage of the coal could be produced from longwall faces, the percentage of tight corners per linear foot of face could be materially reduced with saving in explosive, and a larger recovery of domestic sizes would result.

In the steep pitch workings of the anthracite region, the lack of care in handling the coal causes much degradation. If the system of working were changed to correspond more with those in the European coal fields where the coal is not allowed to drop, but is conveyed gently from the working place to the mine car, less degradation would occur.

Suggested Methods of Mining Anthracite

The following descriptions of mining methods which are now in actual tise in Germany, France, and Belgium are presented to the anthracite industry as suggestive methods for use both in fiat worKings and on steep pitches.

T'lOURE 5

A simple lougwall operation nsing; f-tQ' conveyors.

Figure 6

A longwall method using undercutters and face conveyors.

D— 3

Figure 5 shows the simplicity of a longwall mining method when it is combined with some types of face conveyors. This method can only be used with partial or total back filling. Some of the material may be secured from the bed itself, but the remainder must be brought from other parts of the mine or from the surface. A good filling has many advantages; it creates a good barrier between the air currents, it is safer for the men, and reduces fire dangers. Back filling makes rock work and timber handling easier, and decreases the movement of, the roof. It also helps indirectly in mining the coal by distributing roof pressure.

Figure 7

A longwall face with two conveyors. One for coal and the other for filling.

In comparing this system of mining Avith the older methods, the following advantages will be found when development is complete.

1. Only two roads exist, the lower one for the transportation of coal, and the upper one for ventilation.

2. Eepair and maintenance costs are reduced. It increases the saving on tracks and timber.

3. Ventilation is easy to establish, for there are no curves or corners where gas can accumulate. The production per man will be increased by better ventilation. The impression of safety will be felt by the miners and the air in Avhich they work will be fresher.

4. Mining is concentrated and can be better supervised.

5. Transportation of rock for filling is greatly facilitated because the same conveyors can be used both for the transportation of coal and rock.

Figure 8

Diagonal longwall mining on a medium pitch.

6. With intensive mining the danger of destruction of the roof is decreased because the roof does not sink as rapidly as the coal is mined. A larger percentage of domestic sizes of coal can be produced because the coal is not submitted to pressure for a long period.

7. The miiiiber of inclines or planes can be reduced, wliich removes a source of danger, reduces maintenance and repair costs, and damage to the mine cars.

8. The coal is handled more directly, withont much reshoveling, and along the shortest route between the place where it is mined and the main road.

Figure 9

A variation in the longwall method, showing a better arrangement of conveyors.

9. By decreasing the number of men employed per ton it requires less houses on the surface.

10. Work can progress much more rapidly and a large production can be reached sooner.

A variation of the method previously described is shown in figures 6 and 7. Two conveyors are used, one for transporting coal and the other for rock. This method can only be used where the roof is good and the bed is over 7 feet thick.

Figure 10

Very thick bod being mined long wall with back filling.

Preparation of Anthracite

The preparation of anthracite has evolved from the manual labor of separating coal from slate by hand nndergronnd to extensive and complicated operations housed in a breaker costing as much as ,152,000,000. The first mining of antliracite for commercial use was in 1808. For 20 years or more the coal was cleaned by hand underground. In 1830 a wrought iron hand rake was used 'for separating the large sizes from the line ones. At that time there was no market for the fine sizes of co;il. Tlie years following 1830 saw attempt.s made to size and clean the coal outside tlie mine. The coal was flumped upon a perforated cast iron plate. Hen with .sledge liainmei'.s broke the lai-ger pieces down into suitable sizes for the market. 1 he smaller sizes of coal which passed through the perforations were discarded.

In 1844 J. S. Battin, of Philadelphia, invented the roll crusher. In the same year the first antliracite breaker was built at Miners-

ville. This breaker crushed and cleaned 200 tons of coal per day. Eoll crushers and circular screens were used in the preparation of the coal. This breaker was considered such a success that 13 more breakers were immediately erected.

It was not until about' 1900 that any attention was given to the prevention of unnecessary breakage of coal during preparation. The demands upon the anthracite trade for a sized fuel have been urgent, and in order to make the trade successful it has become necessary to size coal with minimum breakage. A great deal of experimentation has been done by the various coal companies, and rolls of suitable size and design have been perfected. There are many types of rolls on the market, each suitable to the coal which is being prepared at the breaker. Various kinds of teeth are being used by the anthracite producing companies, the old type spear tooth, the Hawkbill tooth and the hollow ground tooth. It is believed that the hollow ground tooth gives more efficient fracture results than the other types. The hollow ground tooth has four cutting edges. The areas between the cutting edges converge to a point and are concave, so that the only part of the tooth which comes in contact with the coal is the cutting edge. The older type of tooth presents an unbroken surface to the coal and a grinding action instead of a cutting action results.

Very little if any separation of coal from impurities is now done in the mines. The entire product, coal, slate, bone and clay is hoisted to the top of the breaker and the process of cleaning and sizing begins. The difficult working conditions underground, particularly where pitches are steep, make it necessary to haul all of the material to the surface.

Screening

Anthracite was first screened on a revolving screen which was pitched at an incline of about of an inch to the foot. The coal was fed in one end and came out the other. The first objection to this screen was its small capacity. In 1860 a double roller screen was made which had a larger capacity, but it was inefficient in separating pea and smaller sizes. In 1880, shaker screens were installed. They were complicated and repair bills were high, although they were efficient and had good capacity. Improvements have been made in the shaker screen and they have been used extensively. The Parrish flexible-arm shaker is now used practically to the exclusion of all other types of screens.

Jigging

A jig is a mechanical device for removing and separating the impurities from coal during the process of preparation for market. Practically all of the coal up until recent years has been prepared by jigging. Several other processes for the preparation of anthracite are discussed at another place in this chapter. The coal which is to be run through a jig can be wet or dry, clean or dirty. The material can be of any size. The principal of separation upon which the jig is based is the difference in specific gravity between coal and impurities. Practically all the impurities in anthracite are heavier than the coal.

Seven important types of jigs ai'e in use in the anthracite field. Other jigs having some particular merit for the preparation of a certain type of fuel are in use at a few breakers. The Reading, Lehigh Valley, Delaware, Wilmot-Simplex, Elmore, James, and Riley-Knapp are the most important jigs. It is not the purpose of the writers to describe each of these jigs. The principal of operation is practically the same, with variations to suit certain conditions. The following is a description of the operation of the Lehigh Valley jig which is used extensively in the anthracite regions. The coal after it has been sized is fed into the rear of the jig. A coal regulating gate governs the flow to the jig grates. Water in a plunger compartment is made to rise and fall by the upward and downward motion of an eccentric driven plunger. The water rises and recedes through perforations in the grate plates. The material which is being jigged rises and falls with it. The jig grates are set on a pitch of about inch to the foot and pitched toward the front of the jig, and upon which the agitation caused by the water moves the material to a point of discharge where it overflows into the coal and slate boot. While the agitation is going on, the coal which is lighter than its impurities, is raised to the top of the pit and the heavier impurities settled further with each stroke of the plunger to a point as close to the grate as it is possible to get within the short time which it is agitated. Wlien the slate conveyor stops or the discharge of slate from the jig grates is stopped there is no escape for the slate and the accumulation of this material on the grates grows thicker. An automatic slate discharge device has been installed to regulate the quantity of slate which is discharged into the boot by each stroke of the plunger.

The Delaware jig is a modification of the Lehigh Valley jig. A lifting plunger takes the place of the coal conveyor. In the Simplex jig no plunger is used. The material enters the jig from the rear and flows upon a pan which moves up and down in a tank containing water. The agitation of the pan containing the material produces practically the same effect as that obtained in the Lehigh Valley jig.

Other Methods of Cleaning Anthracite

There are other methods of cleaning anthracite that have assumed importance within the last few years. A brief description of each of these processes will be given.

Chance process. The principal of the Chance process is the floating of coal on or in a fluid mixture of sand and water in which slate and other refuse sink.

Figure 11 illustrates the equipment used in this process. This equipment consists of a coal separator filled with a fluid mixture of sand and water with an overflow to permit the coal to leave the separator. A demanding screen removes the sand and water from the coal. A classifier pipe connected with the base of the cone, an upper slide valve, a refuse chamber, a lower slide valve, a slate sump, and a scraper line to remove the refuse are other parts of the equipment. Screens demand the slate. A sand sump to which all the sand and water from the demanding screen is conveyed is

usually located near the cone. A sand pump is nsed to pump the sand and water back into the cone. Water is furnished for the agitation of the sprays and for preserving the fluid mixture of sand and water.

Figure 11

Diagrammatic arrangement of tlie Chance coal cleaner.

Coal fed into the top of the fluid mass in the cone floats at or near the top of the fluid mass and flows out of the separator together with the fluid mass with which it is mixed. The slate sinks and is trapped out Ity the alternate opening and closing of two

slate valves; the velocity of tlie ujnvard cuiTent in the classitier permits the slate to fall aiul ]>events much sand from ont with the slate. The slate falls into a snmp from which the scraper line elevates and removes it. It is taken over a demanding screen and afterwards goes into the rock bank.

The mixed coal, sand, and water flowing ont of the separator pass over a demanding screen and then to the shaking screens for sizing.

Sand and water from both coal and slate demanding screens and from additional barley coal demanding screens go to the sand snmp, in which the sand settles and is pnniped directly back to the to]> of the separator. The clean water overllows at the top of the sand sump and goes to the clean water pnmp for reuse.

One cubic foot of water weighs 6'2yi pounds. Water has a specific gravity of 1. If enough sand is added to the water to cause 1/8 of the water in the bucket to overflow, the bucket will then contain § cubic foot of water and 1/3 cubic foot of sand. If the sand is ordinary quartz sand like seashore sand it weighs approximately 54.2 pounds per 1/3 cubic foot. The two-thirds of a cubic foot of water weights 41.7 pounds. The mixture of 1/3 sand and J water weighs 95.9 pounds or approximately 1.53 times the weight of a cubic foot of water. Hence the gravity of the mixture is 1.53. If this mixture is agitated to prevent the sand from settling, the fluid mass or mixture will float any material having a specific gravity which is less than 1.53. Any material having a specific gravity greater than 1.53 will sink. This is true whether the materials are coarse or fine, provided they are coarser than the grains of sand.

If the agitation of the mixture is caused by introducing water through perforations in the bottom of the container, it will be found that too great a flow of water will force the sand grains apart and some of the sand will overflow with the water until the agitation no longer forces the grains farther ajiart. The condition will remaiti constant and no more sand will flow out of the container. If some of the sand has been lost out of the container the mixture no longer weighs 95.9 pounds and it will therefore have a specific gravity less than 1.53, On the other hand if the quantity of water admitted through the bottom of the container is less than that necessary to keep the grains of sand evenly distributed throughout its entire volume, the individual grains of sand Avill fall. It will draw closer together until an end point is reached because of the water flowing upward between them. Under these conditions the container is no longer filled with a fluid mass because the upper part of the container holds water only. The mixture of saud and water occupies only a portion of the entire volume of the container. It is no longer in the proportion of 1/3 sand and f water. Thus it is apparent that the specific gravity of the mixture is increased by decreasing the quantity of water used for maintaining the agitation, and it is decreased by increasing the upward current of water.

In the Chance process water is controlled by means of a valve and by flhe 'use of sea sand or any other sand having a constant, specific gravity. The specific gravity of the mixture can be produced and maintained with much certainty.

The Chance process is successfully used on all sizes of coal down to and including barley. Some other method of preparation must be added to treat No. 4 buckwheat and silt.

The principal objection to the Chance process is the bank loss, or loss of coal on the waste heap. This loss is being reduced as the mechanics of the process are being perfected. The erosive effect of sand on the various parts of the machine is very destructive. Keplacements are frequently necessary. Adjustments have been made in the mechanics of the process to eliminate as much equijjment as po.ssible that is subject to erosion by the sand.

A breaker equipment with a Chance separator is much cheaper to construct than the ordinary jig breaker. A jig breaker may cost- $400,000 and a breaker with a Chance separator approximately $275,- 000. The Chance separator is very compact and much less construction is necessary to house the entire operation than a jig breaker.

Conklin coal cleaning process. This process has been experimented with but there are no installations in operation at the present time. The Conklin process is based upon the same general principle as the Chance process, differing from it chiefly in the size of particles used for producing a fluid of the proper specific gravity and in the absence of agitation to maintain the particles in suspension. The process consists of producing a mixture of particles smaller than 200 mesh and having a specific gravity of approximately 3.0, mixed with water in such proportion that the fluid mixture will have a specific gravity of approximately 1.7. This fluid is maintained in a rectangular tank with a screw conveyor which operates in the bottom of it and removes the slate that sinks to the bottom. A flight conveyor removes the coal that floats on the fluid mixture. The fine sized solids which are carried out with the coal and slate are removed by screening and washing. They are settled out in a thickener. A classifier is also required in the circuit to remove all material coarser than 200 mesh. Various materials may be used in the Conklin process to maintain the desired specific gravity. Dust from iron ore mills with a gravity of approximately 3.1 Avas used at Olyphant. Crude magnetite, pyrite and numerous other metallic materials could be used when pulverized to the proper form.

The Rheolaveur process. This process has been growing in popularity since its introduction into the United States. Its appearance in the anthracite fields has been comparatively recent and the installations are on the whole very satisfactory. The process consists of carrying the mixture of raw coal and slate down an inclined trough by means of a current of water. In the bottom of the trough are openings with specially constructed boxes beneath them. The slate which settles to the bottom of the trough drops through these openings and the coal is carried forward by the current of water. An upward current of water is injected through the openings by a device known as the Rheolaveur box. This upward current of water allows the slate to go through the holes without carrying the coal along with it.

The Rheolaveur box consists essentially of a sealed chamber below the trough. A swinging flap in the bottom of the trough is supported by water pressure underneath until a certain weight of alate

Figure 12

Flow sheet of a complete Rheolaveur plant.

is on it. It drops down and lets the slate fall through. At the same time an upward current of water passes through holes and prevents the coal from falling. The flap closes again as soon as a certain quantity of slate has passed. The removal of the slate progresses as the raw material continues along the trough until the last slot is reached, where the bone coal is discharged. The last boxes are so arranged as to discharge a product containing some commercially pure coal which is returned to the feed and retreated. The ultimate discharge is relatively clean coal, and the refuse is relatively free from coal. This is called rewashing in a closed cycle.

For washing coal coarser than .3 to .4 inch in diameter, a shorter trough is used as the coarser coal is more easily cleaned. The whole plant usually consists of one trough fitted with two chambers, the first of which extracts slate, and the second discharges a mixture consisting of bone and some coal. This mixture is run through the process again. The reasons for maintaining a material for rewashing are as follows; (1) to create artificially the flowing barrage of intermediate gravity materials between the poorest rock at the bottom and the pure coal above; (2) to regulate the variations of quantity and quality of the plant product; (3) to properly extract some pieces of material close to the separating gravity point. If the feed coal is constant both in quantity and quality the rewash will be composed of the same pieces.

In actual practice the sealed discharge plant can wash satisfactorily coal down to inch in diameter. The free discharge plant can wash from inch down to 28 mesh of the Tyler scale. The silt plant takes care of materials from 1/16 inch down to 48 Tyler mesh. In the last units constructed in Europe it has been possible to bring these limits down to 100 mesh of the same scale. The material finer than 48 mesh is partially washed. Studies are being made to bring the limits of size as low as possible. Silt of the anthracite region originally containing 24 per cent ash and having a size between 1/16 inch and 48 mesh has been cleaned to 7 to 10 per cent ash.

Hydrotator. The hydrotator is particularly adapted to cleaning fine sizes of coal, that is from 5/16 inch in diameter to microscopic dust. For this purpose the hydrotator counter current system of coal washing can be used, but when all sizes from 5/16 inch and less are treated, it is necessary to screen between stages to remove the larger particles of coal as they are cleaned.

The hydrotator consists of a series of tanks as shown in Figure 13. For purposes of description it will be assumed that the coal to be treated is — 3/32 inch in diameter. In each of the tanks is a set of hydrotator arms such as those shown in the middle tank. These arms are suspended from an overhead bearing and are rotated by hydraulic force when water is pumped through the circular column ont through the arms and then through the nozzles which are set at an angle of 30 degrees to the vertical. Coal is fed into the first large tank at the point nearest "feed," and it passes between the baffle and the side of the tank to the bottom where it is agitated by water coming through the arms.

O

If coal is continually fed in, a mass of material is put in suspension which increases the specific gravity of the entire liquid mass. Tliis, together with the rising current of water, floats the lighter material to the top of the tank and it passes into the second tank. If the

heavy material were not drawn off the mass would tend to rise and flow over with the coal. A provision is made so that the quantity of material in suspension remains constant, and only the lighter material flows over.

The lighter material which flows over from the first tank passes between the baffle and the side of the tank to a second tank where a mass of material is again placed in suspension. The specific gravity is increased and the light material rises to the tqp and flows over into a third tank. Here again it passes between the baffle and the tank to the bottom where it is reagitated and the light material flows over to a dewatering screen. This screen may be either a Ferraris or vibratory type.

It is necessary to keep a constant quantity of material in suspension so that none of the heavy material will overflow with the coal. The proper specific gravity must be maintained. In order to do this it is necessary to continually draw out a certain quantity of heavy material. This is taken out of the bottom of the tank and is run to a sump tank under the second hydrotator tank. A certain quantity of water is added to it from an overflow from the top of the second tank and the mixture is pumped back into the second tank through the hydrotator arms which gives a chance to clean the refuse material from the bottom of the first tank. Some of the heavy material is drawn off and goes to a sump under the third tank. Here it is again diluted with water, pumped back through the arms in the tliird tank, and recleaned. The heavy material in the third tank is again drawn off and sent to a sump under a refuse tank which is immediately to the right of the third tank. From this sump the refuse is pumped qp into the refuse tank but no rotating arms are used as the tank is very small. Any light material which may be mixed with the refuse floats to the top and passes over into the feed. The heavy material is drawn out through the bottom and sent to a refuse bank. In case it is desired to clean coal larger than 3/32 inch, additional tanks may be required, one for rice or 5/16 — 3/16 inch coal, and one for barley, 3/16 — 3/32 inch. There is no difference between the treatment of this coal and that finer in size, but the fine coal should be mixed with the coarse coal when the coarse coal is treated. After the coarse coal has been treated it is necessary to separate it from the fine coal by screening. If the coarse coal is not separated from the fine material when it is treated the coarse clean coal will settle with the fine refuse and is lost. In order to prevent this it is necessary to screen out the large clean coal.

The methods described for the treatment of coal by the hydrotator include sizes which will pass over a 65 mesh screen. When it is desired to treat coal which will pass through a 65 mesh screen, oil must be added in the last tank and the oil and air must be aspirated into the suction line of the circulating pump. This forms froth on top of the tank and the fine coal floats off onto the dewatering screen. This separation is due to the affinity of the oil and coal. There is no affinity between rock and oil. The rock or refuse settles to the bottom of the tank.

Hydro Separator. The hydro separator which is illustrated in Figure 14 is a simple machine which separates coal from slate or any other heavy impurities by a rising current of water which takes

COAL STOfiACe BtN

I?

a: i

Q U Q

5 4 -j

Q

w

Q kl

Figure 14

Sectional view showing assembly of hydro separator with motor pump and dewatering tank.

with it the pure coal and leaves the refuse behind to be automatically discharged from the

The feed of mixed materials enters the machine from a bin and passes downward through a gate into a separating compartment where the rising current of water takes the pure coal over a wall into a water chute from where the coal is discharged to the dewatering screen. The slate and other heavy materials resist the upward current of water and form a loose mass of refuse which tends to rest on the perforated portion of the screen plate at the bottom of the tank. This refuse slides through a slit gate onto an unperforated portion of the screen plate. The pressure is applied by the loose moving mass of refuse behind it. The refuse passes througjli a slit gate and is picked up by a conveyor and removed from the machine.

Figure 15

Hydraulic coal thickening, classifying and washing machine (Sectional view).

Hydrotator Thickener.

This separator is very small compared to its capacity. Its weight empty is 2750 pounds. Its working weight is 44500 pounds. Its capacity varies from 15 to 30 tons per hour feed depending upon the size of the coal and the quality desired in the clean coal.

Hydrotator thickener. The regular hydrotator tank can be used as a thickener. The tank is divided into two zones. One, which is above the pump intake, is a quiet clear zone of water. Below the pump intake is the agitation zone where the thickness of the combined liquids and solids is limited only by the ability of the pump circulation to keep them in suspension. The finest solids rise to the level of the pump intake and are discharged on the bottom of the tank. Before they rise again to the intake level they must work their way through the thickened suspended solids above. The result is a maximum detention of the fine materials at the bottom of the tank farthest from the point where they would normally be found. Figure 15 illustrates the mechanism of this device.

Hardinge thickenc)'. The TTardinge tliickener is a tank with a domed grilled bottom on wliich lies a bed of sand, diatomaceoiis earth, or in some cases of the material to be thickened. The bed of sand or other material may retain its colloids if it possesses

Majority oi effluent oveiHows rim.

Total effluent combining overflow and filtrate.

Effluent or filtrate that has passed thru porous bed.

Spiral Scraper revolves also drops down an infinitesimal amount each revolution.

Solids drawn'to surface at porous bottom and scraped to center by Spiral Scraper.

Thickened product.

Figure 16

Principle of operation ami construction of Hardinge super thickener and clarifier.

sufficient porosity. In the center, a well extends through this porous bed with an outlet at the bottom of the tank which is separate from the drain under the porous bed. A steel truss across the top

D— 4

Plate Iii

A. The Dorr thickener.

B. Pour Deister-Overstrom tables on No. 4 buckwheat at Coahlale Colliery, handling underflow from Dorr hydroseparator.

of the tank carries a central vertical shaft suspended and operated from the truss. This shaft has a spiral scrapper attached to its lower end. The shaft is threaded at the top and the feed is carried by the shoulder of a threaded spur gear screwed onto it. A worm driving-gear is keyed to the shaft below the threaded spur gear. As the spiral scraper revolves it scrapes the solids, which have filmed

over the surface of the porous bed, to the center -well. The lowering is accompanied by a simple device which very slightly unscrews the threaded gear at each revolution and allows the whole mechanism to lower. This device can be regulated. The surface of the porous bed is thus kept clear and the constant rate of flow of nitrate is secured, with the spiral running continuously.

When it is operated as a thickener, with the main object that of dewatering the solids, the unthickened material flows into the tank at the center, to one side or through a box trough with the outlet uear the bottom. Most of the clear licpiid flows over the edge or effluent weir; part of it percolates through the porous bottom and is drawn off through the outlet and leaves the coal on the bottom. The particles which settle on top of the Alter bed are slowly scraped to the discharge well at the center by the spiral scraper. The thickened or partially dewatered product is drawn off by pumps or decanted. The flue particles which settle on the porous filter bed would soon make this bed impervious without the spiral. The percolation of the liquid through the bed would first be reduced, then cease altogether. In order to prevent this, a minute film of filtrate is scraped away with each revolution. It has been found by experiment that the slimes or extremely fine particles that settle on the bed penetrate to a depth of one diameter of the average filter bed particle. It therefore takes only a small cut to keep the filter bed porous. The life of the bed depends upon the size of the grains of material of which it is composed.

The settling rate is increased by drawing part of the effluent through the bed. The slow setting or dense zones are drawn to the bed faster than the normal settling rate. All of these zones except those right at the surface of the bed should be of low density, which means that the particles suspended at the upper zones will settle much more rapidly than before. The product which is scraped into the center well can be made very thick, in fact, much thicker than if it is allowed to settle on an impervious bottom in the ordinary way.

It is possible to thicken some materials to SO or 90 per cent solids. The overflow of the liquid may or may not be clear, depending upon the material which is being thickened. Any effluent which is passed through the filter bed is perfectly clear.

Dorr thickener. This hydro separator, as designed for separating coal, consists of a woodstave tank with an overflow launder around its edge at the top and a discharge outlet at the center of the bottom (See Figure 17). From a truss across this tank is suspended a central vertical shaft. On the bottom of this vertical shaft are mounted radial arms with plows. By a slow rotation of the shaft the solids which settle out of the water are brought to the discharge opening at the center.

The slush is fed in at the center at the top of the tank. The area of the tank is proportioned to the average flow of the slush so that solids larger than GO mesh fall to the bottom of the tank while most of those smaller than 60 mesh, together with the bulk of the water, overflow the edge of the tank. The overflow may either go to waste or can be clarified for reuse. In the anthracite fields the water is settled in a Dorr thickener. This Ihickener is identical

FIGURE 17 The Dorr Thickener.

Deister-Overstrom concentrating tables. The fine sized coal which is settled out of the water in the various thickeners, is cleaned by some companies. The cleaning is done on concentrating tables. Ilaw coal mixed with approximately twice its weight in water is delivered to the table through the feed box at the upper corner at the head motion of the deck. Water distributing boards are placed along the same side of the deck as the feed box to permit a fine adjustment in the distribution of water over the deck surface. The table is placed in a horizontal position and is practically level longitudinally, or level along its line of reciprocation. A slight side inclination at right angles to this line permits the clean coal to be washed over the long edge of the table to a trough or launder. This angle of inclination is adjustable. Simultaneously, the action of the head motion in reciprocating the deck, approximately 275 times iier minute and with a stroke of f inch, drives the pyrite and refuse which stratifies next to the surface of the table deck, over the short edge of the table where it is caught in launders and conveyed to the refuse heap. The riffles on the surface of the deck aid in collecting and guiding the refuse to its proper point of dis-

with the Hydro Separator with the exception that the area of the tank is enlarged. The settling velocity of the slush is so retarded that practically all the suspended material settles to the bottom and the water which overflows the edge of the tank is clear or slightly black.

©

@ TH/CKENE)) D/SCHAfiGS ® CCEAi? OVEEFIOW

charge, and also prevent the finer particles of waste matter from washing over with the clean coal.

By extreme care in tabling and at a considerable sacrifice of capacity, fine sized coal can be reduced to 7 or 8 per cent ash. A medium sized table will effectively clean 3 to 4 tons of slush per hour. With the larger sizes 10 or 12 tons can be handled per hour.

Breakage

The breakage or degradation of anthracite begins inside the mine at the face. Anthracite, when mined, is often already crushed by severe stresses in folding and faulting. This natural condition is most prevalent in the Southern Field where the coal beds have been steeply folded and subjected to much crushing. A stope often runs thousands of tons of loose material before a shot is detonated in it. This material has a large percentage of steam sizes in it. The coal is sometimes ground to a fine powder.

Difficulties of mining, particularly in steep pitches, present problems in the production of a minimum quantity of fine sizes. Excess shooting and misplaced shot holes on the face cause unnecessary degradation. Weight of the roof on pillars insufficiently large for the load crushes them. The coal, particularly in steep pitch mining, is handled numerous times in the mine. Each time it is handled breakage occurs. Unnecessarily long drops of the coal cause degradation. The larger pieces hit upon each other and break. These tactors pertain entirely to mining and are discussed in the chapter on mining methods. After the coal comes from the mine it is taken to the top of the breaker where the agglomerated mass starts in its preparation. The word ''breaker" is a misnomer. The purpose of the breaker is to secure the largest quantity of domestic sizes of clean coal with the smallest quantity of breakage. A breaker is called upon to size coal to suit the demands of the trade. For instance, if a large order for nut coal is given, it is necessary to crush the larger sizes to produce a maximum quantity of nut coal and to eliminate as far as possible the jproduction of smaller sizes. The first step is the screening out of the oversized coal which goes to the rolls for breaking into smaller size.

When the coal starts through the breaker on its course of preparation the first point at which breakage occurs is in the rolls. A roll must fracture or break the coal instead of crushing it. Some crushing, of course, is unavoidable. The increased percentage of crushing depends upon these conditions ; the shape of the hopper on top of the rolls, the height of the drop wffiere the coal strikes the roll upon entering, the spread of the roll, the quantity of coal fed into the roll, aird the type of teeth. Coal should be vertically into the roll and a short distance above it. The speed of the roll should be governed by the size of the coal to be broken. The feed of the material to the roll should be uniform. The type of teeth to be used should show the best breakage and fracture results.

After the coal leaves the roll it is carried to various parts of the breaker either by gravity or mechanical means. A large quantity of unnecessary breakage occurs in the older types of breakers. The new breakers are being built with the idea in mind to prevent, as

near as possible, all unnecessary breakage. Coal usually is distributed through chutes by gravity. These chutes differ in construction, material, shape and pitch. Chutes should be short and with as low as pitch as possible to convey the coal, in order to reduce friction as much as possible and to eliminate quick drops. A chute should be of such size that when the breaker is working at capacity the chutes would not be overloaded. The coal which comes into any chute should not be forced to strike the sides and runways. Coal must not drop from one chute to another, all possible friction should be avoided, and the coal should not strike upon other pieces while in transit. Degradation continues throughout the breaker and even occurs in the loading pockets and when the coal is loaded on the car for market.

It is not the purpose of this report to instruct the layman in the various methods of preparing anthracite for market. Anthracite breakers have been discussed in great detail in a number of publications. Enough has been described to give an idea of the manner in which anthracite is prepared for market.

Uses Of Anthracite Silt And Culm

Introduction

Silt and culm accumulations are a result of economic conditions. Culm banks had their origin in market conditions. The dictates of the consumer necessitated the discarding of valuable coal. In the days when pea and chestnut coal were not used the larger sizes "were comparatively cheap and the customer could see no benefit in using the smaller sizes. Chimneys in the older residences in the eastern cities were built to supply' only the necessary draft for burning the larger sizes. If the householder desired to burn pea coal or buckwheat it was necessary to supply greater draft by installing blowers or by increasing the height of the chimney. Commercial plants could not see any benefit in installing special grates for burning the smaller steam sizes. As the price of anthracite increased, pea and nut coal became desirable as household fuel, and as commercial concerns .saw that there is a saving in installing equipment for burning buckwheat .sizes, these sizes established a place for themselves in the trade. Buckwheat gradually fought its way to the front until now it is one of the most desirable sizes for residential heating and for generating steam in factories. The Coxe stoker was invented with the idea of utilizing No. 2 buckwheat (rice). It not only did this but it has been found that No. 3 (barley) and No. I buckwheat (birdseye) can be burned on an automatic stoker with much success.

As coal decreases in size it becomes more difficult to find a use for it. Special equipment must be installed to clean and size it. This equipment takes up much more space than the equipment used in sizing and cleaning the domestic sizes, and the time consumed in preparation is longer. It is impossible, of course, to make small sizes pay for themselves. Nevertheless, any return which can be gotten from them reduces the burden on the larger sizes. Many companies are now mixing No. 2 and 3 buckwheat. These sizes can be burned very satisfactorily on automatic stokers. Even after a market has been found for the three buckwheats, over 10 per cent of the coal that is mined has yet to find a market. This material is carried away from the breaker in the wash water and is saved or allowed to go directly into the stream without settling. Only in the last few years have coal companies realized that this material is valuable. The use of this material is restricted. Much of it is used on mechanical stokers for generating power at the mines. Some of it is hand fired, but the labor item is too large to make this system of firing feasible. Some silt which has been cleaned is shipped to eastern points and is mixed with bituminous coal and fired by hand and by mechanical .stokers under boilers in manufacturing plants. Some of the best silt is used alone on mechanical grates.

.(55)

Producer gas can be made from iine sizes of antliracite. Some of the small producer gas plants in eastern Pennsylvania are fired with small-sized anthracite. Molds for certain types of metal castings are faced with a thin film of fine-sized anthracite. When the hot metal is poured into the mold the anthracite volatilizes and carbonizes quickly and gives a smooth surface to the casting.

The greatest market for anthracite silt is in the manufacture of briquets, anthracoal, and other types of prepared fuel and as powdered fuel. The briquet industry is now on a substantial basis and is growing from year to year. Large power plants have used powdered anthracite by itself or with bituminons coal in generating power. Good efficiencies have been obtained.

Public Service corporations in the anthracite region and in eastern Pennsylvania are using the fine sizes of anthracite on automatic stokers.

The use and disposition of old culm banks is not a serious problem. Many of them have been removed by leasing companies. The coal companies have not leased the best banks but are holding them in reserve for emergencies. Most of these banks could be worked over at a profit even during normal times. They are merely a supply of emergency fuel.

The enormous rock banks in the anthracite region have accumiilated from breakers using the wet preparation of coal. These banks contain very small percentages of coal and they have no value except for crushing for mine filling. These banks will grow in size as dirtier beds are mined and as brushing the roof and bottom in thin beds increases. There is absolutely no way to I'emove or dispose of this material other than the methods which are now being practiced. The acciimulation of waste material is the necessary evil of a basic industry to which the entire anthracite region owes its prosperity and existence.

Briquets

The American juiblic, until 1922, did not take kindly to the briquet as a domestic fuel. The reason is obvious. Briquetting is not merely the operation of pressing together waste and inferior fuel with a smoky, sticky binder — it must necessarily be a careful, scientific operation, preceded by much thought and experimentation.

The first fuel briquets made in America were copied after those made in continental Europe and Ireland. In those countries people are not accustomed to high grade fuels. The coals briquetted there are generally of the lignite type — like the "brown coal" of Germany. In Ireland, peat is much used for briquetting. These prilnaiy fuels are high in ash and moisture, and the briquet is a satisfactory means of reducing these constituents.

The first briquets that appeared on the American markets were made of anthracite fines, biLiminous slack, combinations of both, and river coal. They were pressed together by oily waste material, without regard to quantity or quality of that material. Needless to say, the briquets Avere not satisfactory, they gave off an offensive sticky smoke, disintegrated iu storage and handling, lost their

sliape in the fire, and because the material from which they were made contained large percentages of ash, they too were nneconomical fuels. The trustful public had lieen fooled, and the years following the war saw little demand for bricpiets, and "lly by night'' companies gave up their efforts to market inferior and unsatisfactory fuel briquets.

During and since the war, large companies, and companies specializing in coal preparation machinery, have spent many millions of dollars in concentrated effort to produce a briquet as satisfactory as the best raw fuel, and -which could be sold at a price comparable to that which other fuels were bringing.

The results of the research have been slow, and many difficult problems have been met and solved. Six companies are now producing highly 'satisfactory briquets. Each plant represents a substantial investment. Scieutitioally constructed, rugged machinery is used. The binders for the tine sized fuel are carefully analyzed chemically; oil and by-product coke companies have spent large sums in producing a satisfactory binder. The results have met with success. The binder is no longer dumped, without consideration as to quantity, into the ijulverized coal ; a measured quantity is mixed thoroughly with the coal, so that tlie individual particles are coated and in a slight degree with it. A good hard briquet with the characteristics of an ideal fuel has resulted.

Public prejudice against the briquet is gradually disappearing, and with the gradual increase in of domestic anthracite, the demand for briquets is increasing. The briquet can now be manufactured to compete with the domestic sizes on the market. They are more satisfactory fuel than some grades of domestic sizes now being marketed. The tine coal from which the briquets are made, is cleaned, or "tabled," so that the ash content is 15 cent or less. The binder is generally high in B. t. u. value, and raises the heating value of the briquet above that of most domestic sizes of anthracite.

Practically all the domestic furnaces in the anthracite-consuming territory of the United States are designed tor the use of good, clean, large sized anthracite. The tire pots are too small to burn other fuel, or to burn small-sized anthracite economically and satisfactorily without forcing the furnace or adding additional draft with a blower. The briquet manufacturers have wisely experimented with the size, weight, and shape of the briquets to make a fuel which will behave well in the furnace under all conditions. The result is that most briquets are made in an egg or overstuffed pillow shape, and weigh from lj/2 to 3 ounces. They have no sharp edges and corners to break off in handling, or break away from the briquet when it is heated.

A fuel which has been sized makes the prettiest lire. Most householders take pride in knowing how to lire their furnaces, and a pretty fire is a source of personal satisfaction to them. A good briquet makes a lU'etty fire, dull red when the draft is low, and bright red when the drafts are on full. The fuel briquet of today obeys its master, the draft — and does not lie dormant with an incandescent glow like those of yesterday.

In order to market the briqiiet on a large scale it will be necessary to advertise it, and educate the public in its use, just as the people of New England are being gradually educated to the use of low volatile bituminous coal. This advertising and education will cost much money, and until the domestic sizes of anthracite increase still further in price, no large quantity of briquets will be manufactured, because the industry is yet small and cannot expend large sums of money. Nevertheless, like all other infant industries, the manufacturing of briquets will grow from year to year, and gradually replace domestic sizes in the household bin.

The anthracite-consuming public is on the border years of great changes in use of fuels. As prepared anthracite becomes scarce and more costly, coke, sized and run of mine bituminous coal, residue of low temperature devolatilization of bituminous coal, fuel oil, briquets, and eventually manufactured gas will gradually become popular. Even today some of these fuels are in much demand.

History. The coal briquet probably originated near the Belgian- German border in the early part of the last century. From there its manufacture spread to France, England, Scotland, Ireland, and finally to America.

The brown coal of continental Europe is very bulky, and does not stand transportation well. This lignite or brown coal constitutes a little less than half of the coal production of Germany. In mining or stripping it, large percentages of fines are produced. Much of this fine-sized coal is briquetted; approximately one-third of the total production. The lignite contains 25 to 50 per cent moisture, and its heating value is as low as 2,000 calories, or 3,600 B. t. u. Briquetting drives off much of this moisture, and makes a more compact fuel, suitable for transportation to some distance.

. The first use of briquets in Europe was for locomotive fuel. More briquets can be carried in the tender than lignite. The briquets vary in size and shape, but most of them are pressed into shapes which approximate the size and shape of American paving brick or cobble stone. These briquets are piled neatly by hand in the tenders of the locomotives, and make a convenient form of fuel.

In domestic use they are either burned whole or broken up. Many tons are burned in fireplaces and in cooking stoves. They give a slow steady heat, and are a fairly desirable fuel, except that they are somewhat smoky.

In Ireland, peat is being briquetted by pressure alone. In place of the bulky, smoky dried peat, a much consolidated product, hard, and with a shiny snrface has been obtained. The moisture in a good peat briquet is less than 5 per cent.

In England and Scotland fine-sized anthracite and bituminous coal are briquetted into "boulets". These briquets have found their way into domestic and manufacturing uses.

In Europe the briquet is a large factor in the coal industry. The people of continental Europe in particular are not accustomed to high grade fuels. The briquet, although not as good as the American made briquet, is satisfactory for their uses.

The American public, particularly that of the anthracite-consuming territory, has become accustomed to using a smokeless fuel, which is readily responsive to draft, is clean, and easy to fire. They have become most exacting in their demands for fuel.

The first venture in the manufacture of briquets in America was not successful, neither were many other trials. The product could not meet the competition of anthracite, principally because it was smoky and the briquets would not stand up under transportation and heat. From 1870 to 1915 there were approximately a dozen attempts to market a briquet made from anthracite fines. These plants operated for a few months a year and finally were dismantled.

The first record of the manufactui*e of briquets in the United States was in 1872; E. F. Loiseau briquetted yard screenings and anthracite at Port Eichmond piers, Philadelphia. The binder was clay and the briquets were shellacked to make them waterproof.

In 1876 the Delaware & Hudson Company began operating a plant at Kondout, New York. Anthracite fines were bound with a gas tar. This plant operated for four years. The briquets were made for engine fuel. They were not satisfactory because the fumes corroded the boiler flues. In 1878 E. F. Loiseau constructed a briquet plant at Nesquehoning, and used pitch for binder. The product was so expensive that it could not compete with freshly mined anthracite. The Philadelphia & Reading E. R. constructed a briquet plant at Mahanoy City in 1890. The binder was English coal tar pitch. The original briquets weighed 18 pounds ; but the later product weighed 2 pounds. Unfavorable conditions of various kinds forced the abandonment of the project.

In 1904 the Zwoyer Brothers erected a plant in Jersey City. This plant was afterwards moved to Brooklyn and to Perth Amboy. Anthracite culm from the Lykens Valley District was bound together with coal tar pitch. The plant operated intermittently until it was destroyed by fire in 1909. The property was sold in 1911.

The Scranton Anthracite Briquet Company's plant was built at Dickson City in 1906, and operated almost continuously until 1924. Anthracite silt was bound together with pitch. The briquets wei'e 2 ounces in weight and pillow-shaped. The pitch binder was not entirely satisfactory and a change was made to asphalt.

In 1909 the Coal Compress Company established a plant in West Philadelphia. The Giles binder was used. It consists of a hot paste prepared from common flour and water and carried in solution by hot iron sulphate. The sulphate is supposed to impart a hard surface to the briquet. High cost of production was fatal to this operation.

The Eggette Coal Company of Trenton, New Jersey, established a plant in 1912 and used the Giles binder. This plant went through a varied existance and in 1916 was entirely remodelled. Sulphite liquor binder was substituted for the Giles binder.

The American Coalette Company established a plant in Philadelphia in 1913. This plant used hydrolene for binder and produced a very satisfactory product. It continued in operation until 1917. The Gamble Fuel Company established a plant in Harrisbnrg, Pennsylvania, in 1916. The plant was designed to use the Gamble patented binder which consisted of sulijhite liquor partially waterproofed

by oil admixture. Eiver coal dredged from the Susquehanna was the basis of the ]>roduct. iThe briqiiets were not of good quality and the company disbanded in 1919.

The American Briquet Company in 1917 established an experimental plant in Philadelphia. In the following year the company built a large plant at Lykeus, Pennsylvania. The Hite binder is being used at this plant. The plant burned down and a large modern plant is now manufacturing briquets at this locality.

The plant of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company at Lansford is now abandoned and a new exiierimental plant has been constructed in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

In 1920 the Burnite Coal Briquetting Company established a plant at Newark, New Jersey. The binder used is secret. The coal is shipped from the anthracite region and is compressed in pillowshaped briquets weighing 2 ounces.

The most active of the briquet plants are described later in this chapter.

During the European war the coal industry and all other industries depending upon it were in a very abnormal period. Coal prices increased threefold and many unscrupulous producers and dealers unloaded inferior fuel upon the public. Thousands of tons of coal was shipped from reworked anthracite culm banks. Some of this fuel found its way into the briquetting industry which was able, under the unusual conditions to market this prepared fuel. Needless to say these briquets, which were made very hastily and without proper consideration of methods of manufacture, could only be sold in anthracite-consuming territories when anthracite was scarce and selling at a premium. After the war these companies disbanded and for a few years the making of anthracite briquets practically ceased. When the coal industry had again stabilized itself after the war numerous anthracite companies undertook seriously to produce a briquet that would be absolutely satisfactory in all its physical and chemical characteristics. They have refused to put on the market a briquet which will not compare favorably with corresponding domestic sizes. Some fairly satisfactory anthracite briqiiets had been made prior to the anthracite strike of 1922-1923. During that period the pxiblic became acquainted with the possibilities of this fuel and the infant briquetting industry found a firm foundation for its future life. Since that time experiment has continued and at the proper time several anthracite companies will be able to put on the market an entirely satisfactory briquet.

Seven companies are now producing briquets on a commercial or semi-commercial basis. Possibly tlie most successful plant is at Lykens, Pennsylvania. Tliis installation will be discussed under a later heading.

StuUiitics of production Tlie value of fuel briquets manufactured in 1925 was |T, 128, 494. Of tliis amount f 1,842, 257 worth of briquets were prodticed in the Eastern States. Practically all of these briquets used anthracite.

Fuel briquets produced the United Htates, 1907-l!)2o.

Tear

Net tons

Value

Y ea r

Net tons

Value

60,524

$ 258,420

1917 - - -

400,850

2i, 233, ,888

!K),353

323,057

477,235

.3,212,79.3

139,601

452,097

293,734

2,301,064

(a)

507,192

4,623,831

218,443

808,721

398,949

3,632,301

220,064

952,201

192'2

619,425

5,444,926

181,859

1,007,327

(ffle,S10

5,808,698

2.50,635

1,154,078

580,470

4,980,62-2

221,537

295,155

1,0.35,716

1,445,602

839,370

7,128,404

(a) No (anvass for 1910.

Average value per net tea (f. o. h. plant) of briquets produced m Pennsylvania and in the Central Flutes, 1911-1925.

Pennsylvania

Central

States

Y'ear

Pennsylvania

Central

States

$ 2.37

$ 4.34

1Q12

1922 . .

.

192'4i - -

Raw fuels used in making briquets in the United States, 1921-1925,

in net tons.

Fuel

Anthraeita culm and fine sizes and semianthracite

190,964

254,563

331,102

224,539

387,454

Semibituminous and bituminous slack, coke and semicokei

121,925

235,512

22,5,508

297,814

.341,161

Subbituminous coal and oil-gas residue

S5,352

123,339

125,880

61,012"

115,975

393,241

613,444

682,490

583,365

844,590

Includes no scmicoke, 1921 to 1924, and no coke, 1923 to 1926. "Includes no subbituminous coal.

*Mineral Resources of tbe United States, Fuel in 1025, James E. Black. U, S. Bureau of Mines 19g6.

Briquets are used almost exclusively for domestic purposes in the United States. The demand is seasonal and depends upon climatic and market conditions. When other fuels are scarce the production of briquets increases.

Monthly production of fuel briquets in the United States in 1925,

in net tons.

January February March . April . .

May . . .

June . . . July ...

93,310 62,479 47,504 26,350 28,183 42,224

August . . September October . November December

63,161

79,118

118,543

123,316

128,684

839,370

"Recent reports of the Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce, Washington, p. C., indicate a sharp increase in both quantity and value of product characterized the fuel briquet industry in 1926. According to figures courteously furnished by the operators, the production in 1926 was 995,332 tons, an increase over 1925 of 19 percent. In comparison with 1923, the increase is 43 per cent.

"The largest single cause of the increase was undoubtedly the great strike of the anthracite miners which began September 1, 1925, and was not settled until February 12, 1926. The strike served to introduce briquets to some thousands of consumers who had not tried them before, but it is clear that the growth of the briquetting industry does not rest alone on such interruptions in the supply of anthracite. The production has been growing ever since 1907, when the first statistical survey showed a total of only 66,524 tons. The periodic shortages of fresh-mined anthracite have merely served to stimulate what would otherwise have been a fairly steady increase. That the briquetting industry is likely to hold some of the ground gained in 1926 is shown by the fact that the largest output in the year was reached in November and December, by which time the anthracite shortage had been entirely overcome.

Fuel briquets produced in, the United States, 1925-1926

ih

Net tons

Value

1'

Net tons

)26

Value

253,643

422,411

Ifl, 842, 2.57 3,684,09.5 1,602,052

288,884

575,130

131,318

$2,110,932

5,093,062

163,316

1,329,185

839,370

7,128,404

995,332

8,533,179

"The trend of prices of fuel briquets from year to year is best indicated by the average value in particular localities, as shovvn in the table below. The average value f. o. b. producer's plant for the State of Pennsylvania in 1926 was $6.74, an increase of $.39 over 1925 and $.92 over 1924. The average value for the Central States, in which the plants at the head of Lake Superior are the largest element, was $8.86 a ton, as against $8.72 in. 1925 and ,$9.00 in 1924.

Average value per net ton (f. o. b. plant) of briquets produced in Pennsylvania and in the Central States, 1919-1926.

Year

Penn' a

Central

States

1919 - —

$ 4.17

$ 8.47

9,23

Year

Penn'a

Central

States

1923,

$ 5.95

$ 9.35

1925 — —

"The total quantity of raw fuel used in 1926 was 971,135 tons. Of this, 44 per cent was anthracite and semi-anthracite ; 47 per cent was serni-bituminous and bituminous coal and semi-coke; and 9 per cent was sub-bituminous (black lignite) and carbon residue from the manufacture of oil gas.

"Eighteen plants were in operation in 1926. All plants that were active in 1925 continued to produce and in addition the new plant of the Empire Collieries Co., at Pulaski, Virginia, began operating on March 1. 1926. Another new producer, the Salem Briquette Company at Salem, Mass., has since begun operation, but produced no briquets in 1926.

"The average production per plant in 1926 was 55,296 tons. Three plants produced less than 2,000 tons and three others more than 100.000 tons. The total capacity of the 18 plants per 8-hour shifts was 4,151 tons. Several of the plants, however, work more than one shift, and in the busy season the actual production per day of 24 hours has exceeded tons."

Physical and chemical characteristics of a good, hriquet. To be successful a briquet must have a close approximation of the physical and chemical character of a good grade anthracite stove coal.

The first demand upon a briquet is that it be smokeless. If anthracite is used this smokeless character depends entirely upon the binder. Coal-tar products, -when used as a binder, do not give a smokeless briquet. The most satisfactory binder is asphalt pitch, known commercially under various names, including hydrolene. Some companies have used other cementing materials in addition to asphaltic pitch, but asphaltic pitch has been the basis of the binder in all satisfactory briquets, except those which are partially or wholly carbonized to hold them together.

A briquet should have the proper hardness and toughness. It miist be sufficiently hard to withstand transportation and handling without much degradation. A satisfactory briquet should not degradate more than 5 per cent of its total volume. If the briquet is too hard it is brittle and fractures w'hen it is handled; if it is too soft it breaks down and rubs off when it is handled. A briquet can be made harder by using a binder of high melting or softening point. A melting point in excess of 160° F. is high. When a binder having a melting point less than 160° F. is used it is likely that the briquet will disintegrate in handling and under pressure. A briquet should not soften under 140° F.

The briquet should have approximately the same density as the material from wdiich it is made. In the case of anthracite the density would range from 1.1 to 1.4. The density of a briquet can be varied by pressure.

A briquet should be of satisfactory size. The manufacturers of domestic heating apparatus for sale in the anthracite-consuming territories rate their boilers on stove coal. The combustion space of these boilers is determined very carefully. When sizes other than stove are used the efficiency of the boiler is impaired unless additional draft is introduced. Additional draft often impairs the efficiency of furnaces by too rapid combiistion with the consequent escape of CO up the stack. Of course, the author does not desire to leave the impression that fine-sized anthracite cannot be used in a domestic furnace wdth success, for very desirable results have been obtained by thousands of users by mixing bucks'heat sizes wdth proper proportions of domestic sizes. But this mixture should be made from separate bins and the coal fired in alternating layers in proper proportion. The percentage of each size fired is governed by weather (Conditions.

A briquet should then have approximately the same size aud weight as one of the domestic sizes. Large briquets are popular abroad but they must be broken before they can be used in a domestic furnace. In America the consumer is too biisy to break the briquets. They must then weigh from V/2 to 3 ounces.

The shape of a briquet has much to do with its success. If the briquet has sharp edges, these break off in handling, causing loss of coal and increasing the dirt in the coal bin. If the briquet is round it does not ignite readily. It is necessary then to press the briquets in a form which lacks sharp edges and corners but yet presents fairly thin surfaces to the flame by which the briguet is to be ignited. Briquets having the shape of an overstuffed pillow or pin cushion are very satisfactory ; oval or egg-shaped briquets are also manufactured. Pillow-shaped briquets Avith their edges rounded is also a satisfactory slia])e. Although the rounded edges cause less dust and breakage and insure good air circulation and thorough combustion they are wasteful in space, and if the briquet is particularly dense they may be hard to ignite. A ton of pillow-shaped briquets occupies a larger volume than a corresponding size of domestic anthracite.

Briquets must ignite readily but have the properties of withstanding combustion for a long time, preferably in the neighborhood of six hours in the ordinary domestic furnace. This characteristic depends upon the density of the briquet and the quantity of volatile matter in it.

A briquet must hold its shape under intense heat. Briquets made Avith coal-tar binder are more likely to floAv than those made with an asphaltic base binder. Sulphite liquor and starch prodncts hold up Avell under extreme temperatures. It is almost impossible to manufactiire a briquet Avith a binder which does not soften when the more volatile parts of the binder are being burned. Later on in the period of combustion the briquet is carbonized and becomes extremely hard. The burning characteristics of briquets are discussed farther on in the text.

The briquet must readily lend itself to variations in draft. When a sloAV fire is desired the briquet should burn sloAvly Avith the emission of moderate heat. When a hot fire is desired the briqnet should bum fast Avith the addition of more draft. A briqnet should not absorb more than 3 per cent moisture. The quantity of absorption increases Avith a decrease in density. Some binders absorb water.

Burning qualities. An anthracite briquet should ignite easily and burn for a long time under ordinary draft. The flame of a briquet should be clear and intense bluish yelloAv, and should burn Avithout odor or smoke. Combustion must be complete. In the ordinary household furnace the ash contains from 20 to 40 per cent and often 50 per cent carbon. A satisfactory briquet, fired in the proper manner, leaves from 5 to 15 per cent carbon in the ash. A briquet should not clinker or floAV together; in fact, any properly made briqnet does not clinker. Here again the question of shape is also very important. If a briqnet breaks down under intensive heat or combustion the finer particles obstruct the passage of air through the fire pot and a sluggish fire results,

Of course the briquet iiiiist have the proper chemical character. If the bi'iquet is manufactured to compete on the market with domestic sizes it is absolutely necessary to preserve good quality in it. The ash should not be more than 15 per cent, which is under that ot most of the domestic sizes now on the market. The ash from briquet, is of course the sum of that contained in tlie coal and in the hinder. Organic hinders contain a smaller percentage of a.sh than the .slack coal and therefore decrease the total ash content of the briquet; on the other hand, inorganic binders often add to the percentage of a.sh.

Binders. The selection of a binder to u.se in briquetting is governed by many factors, the principal of which are:

(1) Character of the material used in briquetting.

(2) Purpose to which the briquet is to be ])ut.

(3) Geographic location of the manufacturing plant.

(d) Availability of binding material.

Ninnerous binders have been used for briquetting in the United States. Briquets have been made successfully without hinders with the admixture of small quantities of bituminous coal. The mixture is pres.sed together and carbonized so that the bituminous coal acts as the binding agent.

The various binders will be described separately.

Asphaltic pitch is the most popular binder u.sed in bricpietting anthracite. It is the heavy residuum from oil distillation popularly known as asjihalt. Because of its cheapness and easy accessibility in the Eastern States it is a practical binder. Its cost ranges from a few cents to $1.00 a ton of manufactured depending entirely upon the type of briquet.

Small percentages of this binder satisfactorily bind anthracite flnes together. From 4 to 6 per cent is all that is generally used. Since the sale of this binder has increased it has become economically possible to treat the raw residuum so that a binder is produced with strong bond and a minimum of smoke and oder. The binder assures a high percentage of purity and high waterproofing value. It produces a hard tliat will withstand handling in transportation and remain intact until completely burned. The asphalt pitch is higher in heating value that the coal itself. It generally contains more than B. t. u. per pound. The material is made at a consistency of approximately 160° F. melting point, which has been established as the proper one. It gives the proper ignition point to the fuel and holds the bri(]uet together until carbonization of the binder has progressed to the proper

There are other products of the petroleum industry which could be used in part or whole for binders.

In the manufacture of Avater gas, petroleum is used in enriching the product. The oil is partly decomposed in the and a byproduct, water gas tar, is produced. This product has a density of 1.1. The water gas tar is viscous and could not be used alone. However, a satisfactory pitch can be made from it. Experiment has shown that 5 per cent of this pitch is sufficient to produce excellent briquets.

D— 5

A substance known as Pittsburgh flux is made by heating oil with sulphur. It melts at 195° and makes a satisfactory briquet when about 8 per cent is added.

Natural asphalts of local occurrence could be used as binders. The principal natural asphalts are impsonite, albertite, gilsonite, and maltha. These natural asphalts occur principally in the Western States, and are the basic materials left behind in oil seepages. The quantity of these asphalts necessary to use in making satisfactory briquets would of course vary with the nature of the material. Some of the materials are more viscous than others. The commercial aspects of these natural asphalts would be governed entireh' by their geographic location. They would not play a role as binders for anthracite briquets because they are too far from the source of this fuel.

Tars and pitclies from coal are another large source of binding materials. Many conijpanies have iised these materials with varying success. In the main these products do not make a smokeless binder. They are cheap, however, and their quantity is increasing yearly with the installation of more and more by-product coke ovens. None of the oils coming off below 270° C. are useful in briqueting. The flowing point of the pitch to be used as a binder should not be less than 70° C. Pitch has no frue melting point. It is a mixture of various chemical fractions, each of which has its own melting point. Coaltar pitches are not i;sually worked as binders. The pitch must either be so brittle it can be broken into fine particles and mixed with the coal as a solid, or it must be heated to approximately 100° C. and mixed with the coal as a liquid. Therefore, coal-tar pitch must be adapted to the particular type of briquetting niachinery which is being used.

The flowing point of coal tar is very im,portant in determining its use as a binder. The higher the flowing point of the pitch the more satisfactory binder it makes up to a certain point. If the pitch has too high flowing point it can be softened the addition of a pitch or tar having a lower flowing temperature.

Blast furauce tar, gas tar, coal far, creosote, illuminating gas tar, and by-product coke oven tar are possible briquet binders. The latter tar is now being produced in large quantities, and no doubt a satisfactory binder can be made out of it. The tar is obtained by distillation at high temperatures and therefore contains a greater percentage of carbon than the other tars. The principal objection to coke oven tar is that it is too liqiiid to be used alone as a binder. Unle.ss it is properly mixed with other materials it will probably produce an offensive smoke.

Cornstarch has been used with varying success as a binder. It has excellent adhesive qualities and makes a good, tough briquet, but it is not waterproof. The cost of the material is also high. Cornstarch will be used only as a binder for briquets in which waterproof qualities are not desired, and as a material to be mixed in proper propoi*- tions with other materials such as oils, tars, and asphalt residues.

Sulphite liquor is a by-product of wood pulp mills. In the manufacture of paper, wood pulp is treated with sulphurous acid to remove the lignone grou,ps. These groups combine with the sulphurous acid and are removed in the waste water. This liquor, whidi is produced in large quantities, is worse than just a waste product.

It enters the streams and kills Ihe life in them. In recent yeai'S numerous attempts have been made in the use of sulphite liquor for binding various materials together. Its cohesive property is large. In the manufacture of briquets where the waterproofing quality is not essential, sulphite liquor is a good binder, because it is cheap and only small percentages of it are necessary to bind particles of coal together. Briquets in which sulphite liquor is used as a binder can be partially water proofed by the addition of various percentages of asphalt residues and coal tar. A very good briquet can be produced with sulphite liquor alone if the briquet is subjected to heat and the sul,phite liquor is carbonized to the maximum point above which the sxilphite liquor would lose its cohesiveness.

Some engineers have claimed that the only objection to the use of sulphite liquor, other than it is not waterproof, is that excessive quantities of sulphur fumes are generated which deteriorate furnace linings and tubes. The author does not believe, however, that the small percentage of the sulphite liquor which it is necessary to use in briquetting would add enough sulphurous vapor to injure the metal parts of a furnace.

Other organic binders such as rosin, pitch, and pine wood tar could be used in various quantities for binding coal, but these materials are relatively expensive and their usefulness would be localized.

Another large group of binders is inorganic. Fairly satisfactory briquets can be made with these materials as a binder but all of them increase the ash content of the manufactured product. All of the inorganic binders are non-volatile so that briquets made from any type of coal will stand in the fire without breaking down. Inorganic binders slow down the combustion of the briquets which, in a way, is desirable, because it means more complete combustion with the emission of less smoke. Another advantage in the use of inorganic binders is that the bulk of the calcium, sodium, and magnesium salts unites with the sulphur from the coal and minimizes the emission of odorous and oxidizing products.

Clay, lime, and magnesia may be possible binders if they are mixed with other materials. In 1880 Dr. A. Gurlt recommended a binder composed of 30 parts of 45 per cent magnesium chloride, 30 parts of 93 per cent magnesium oxide, and 60 parts of water. This material made a very satisfactory briquet with only 3 per cent addition of the magnesia cement. It, however, added 21/2 per cent to the ash content of the briquet.

Plaster of Paris and Portland cement make satisfactory briquets if a low ash content is not desirable. Experiments by the U. S. Bureau of Mines have shown that it takes 12 per cent of these materials to make a satisfactory briquet.

The U. S. Bureau of Mines Northwest Experiment Station at Seattle, Washington, has been experimenting with a binder which was an accidental discovery by a Washington man named Sheehan. This binder consists of a mixture of native sulphur and asphalt. There is one vital fault with this binder that has prevented its commercial exploitation. It is a trifle too expensive. With the exception of this one difficulty the mixture of native sulphur and asphalt is an excellent binder. Evidence shows that it will serve as a binder

for any rank of coal from lignite to antliracite. A partially burned lignite briquet when pulled from the tire and quenched possesses all the strnctnral of a rather poorly cohered ]>iece of coke. The presence of snlphnr with the asphalt also in a large measure prevents the distillation of the asphalt during the bnrning of the briquets and thereby lessens one of the chief objections to that binder, the soot nuisance. Apparently the snlphnr acts only on the binder and not on the coal itself in producing these two effects. The Bnrean of Clines has been attempting to determine the function of the snlphnr and to replace it with a different and cheaper substance or jierhaps accomplish its physical or chemical action by some other means.

A Innder called cohesive is now on the market. It is of English origin and is an emnlsified asphalt.

The American Briqnet Company controls the Hite binder. It is a combination of two methods for waterproling starch binder, namely by adding asphalt and heating. Twenty-ffve gallons of water is mixed with 140 pounds of Globe pearl starch. Thi.s mixture drops slowly into 175 gallons of boiling water which is being thoronghly agitated. The mix thickens into a starch paste and .35 gallons of melted asphalt at a temperature of 220° F. is added to it. The addition is made very slowly to secure proper emnlsitication. When the emulsification is complete, the binder is ready for use. It is composed of 70 per cent water, 6 per cent starch, and 15 ])er cent asphalt.

The American Cyanamid Company of New York believes lhat natural and compounded adhesives made from carbohydrates are the most effective, cheapest, and more abundant binding materials. This series of water-soluble binding coni])ounds requires sufficient dryijig and heating to convert them by carbonization into watei'- insolnble binders. Baking briquets made Avith carbohydrate binders has proved to be commercially imjAracticable because of the narrow temperature limits. Wlien baked beloAv the limit the briquets are hard but the binder remains Avater-solnble. When baked above the temperature range the briquets, though Avater-insolnble, are too fragile for domestic or industrial use. After much experimenting a solution of the problem has been reached. Phosphoric acid acts both as a dehydrating and a tireprooting agent. When phosphoric acid is mixed in pro])er proportion Avith Amrious carbohydrate adhesives a lower baking temperature Avith a much Avider heat range can be used to carbonize the binding material. The finished briquets are water-insoluble, have an increased hai'dness, and are entirely free from acid. The oxidization temperature of the ultimate binder is equal to or slightly higher than that of the coal Avhich is briquetted. This oxidization temperature upon the quantity of the acid used. As a result of the chemical and physical properties imparted by phosphoric acid, satisfactory binding compounds have been developed. From natural adhesiAvs such as concentrated sulphite liquor and evaporated molasses residue, compounded carbohydrate adhesives of dextrinized starch paste can be produced from loAv grade, spoiled or Avaste flour, cheap starches, and inferior grain. The briquets made from this binder material can be cured at temperatures not exceeding 500°F. The baking process can be carried on effectively in continuous ovens.

Chemical and physical characters of a satisfactory hinder. A binder of course nuist be cheap enoujli to make it jtossible t( manufacture at a protit. The binder must be cohesive enough to make a bard briquet which will not fi-acture easily. It should hold the briquet together iii the lire until combustion is complete. In climates where there is much rainfall and the air is humid, it is necessary to use a binder which will waterproof the briquet if the briquet is to be handled to any great extent. A good binder decreases rather than increases the ash content of a briquet. The coal which is used in the briquet, princi])ally anthracite tines, could not stand an addition to ash; rathei- it is desirable t( use a bindeiwhich will reduce the ash content. A binder should not cause the briquet to clinker or emit smoke or other obnoxious gases. It should not deposit soot or tar on the metal of the furnace. A binder increases rather than decrea.ses the heating value of a briquet.

Briquetting Plants

American Briquet Company. Of the seven plants using anthi-a- cite for briquetting, four are located in Pennsylvania. The largest manufacturer of anthracite bricpiets in the State is the American Briqtiet Co. The plant is located at Lykens, Pa., in the Lykens \'alley coal field. This company is operating a plant designed by their own engineers. They are using a very satisfactory binder which is their own patent. This company has been very successful in the manufacture and marketing of briquets. They are using a silt bank composed of tine-sized coal settled from breaker water from Short Mountain colliery of the Susquehanna Collieries Com- This bank is exceptionally low in ash and makes an excellent material to briquet. Detailed information concerning the (piality of briquets made from this bank is as follows:

Analyses of briquets, as received, niade by American Briquet

Lykens

Date 1927 Moisture \'olatile matter Fixed carbon Ash

March 7 .7 12.5 77. 9.0

S .7 11.7 78.7 8.9

9 .7 11.9 77.4 10.0

10 .0 12.2 77.0 9.G

11 .7 11.8 78.0 8.9

12 .0 11.7 79.3 8.4

A description of the plant is as follows:

The coal is conveyed from the bank to the storage bin by a Sauernian slackline cable. The bucket has a capacity of 93 cubic feet. The coal is fed to the rotary driers from the 000 ton storage bins by apron feeders. The rotary driers have sufficient capacity to reduce the" moisture of 18 tons per hour from 15 ])er cent to 1 cent. The dried coal is discharged into a bucket elevator which raises the material 03 feet and discharges it onto a Hummer screen equipped with a inch mesh screen. The coal particles retained by the screen are either crushed by a hammer mill or used for

furnace fuel. The coal which passes through the screen is ready for use. At this point of the operation the binding material is introduced. This material is made very accurately. All the ingredients are automatically fed, and by using proper temperatures, correct speed and duration of agitation, a uniform binder is produced.

The quantities of coal and binder are electrically controlled so that excess quantities of either material are not used. The two materials are mixed together in a combination screw conveyor and paddle mixer. The conveyor moves the material along uniformly and the paddles pug the mix. The material as it leaves the mixing apparatus is Huffy and comparatively dry. It discharges into the feed hopper of the briquet press. The presses are of the Belgian roll type. The molds make a modified pillow-shaped briquet weighing approximately ounces. The press exerts approximately 3,000 pounds pressure per square inch. The briquets are discharged onto a shaker screen which removes the fines made between the rolls and the pockets. This shaker screen also distributes the briquets evenly on a baking conveyor. The baking conveyor consists of pans 2 feet long and 8 feet wide made of iron mesh. These pans move along slowly and convey the briquets to the baking ovens. These ovens remove the water in the binder, dextrinize the starch content, and distill off the lighter oils from the asphalt. This makes the briquet hard, tough, and minimizes the odor and smoke. The baking ovens are heated by hot air which is introduced into the various compartments by fans. The briquets after issuing from the baking ovens are ready for loading.

Navicoal Corporation. The Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, operating under the name of the Navicoal Corporation, has been experimenting for a number of years at Lansford. Recently their activities were transferred to Perth Amboy, N. J. After trying various binders with varying success, and without producing a briquet that satisfied their engineers, they turned to the problem of carbonization. They are now carrying on experiments with various types of soft coals to find the particular type which is most suitable to mix with anthracite to act as a binder in the carbonized briquet.

In the process of making a carbonized briquet varying quantities of soft coal slack are mixed with anthracite fines, ground thoroughly and pressed into shapes and then partially or wholly carbonized. These briquets are hard, smokeless, and seem to fill all of the requirements of a good briquet.

Varying quantities of bituminous coal are used, the idea being to use just enough to bind the anthracite particles together thoroughly and hold them in position until combustion is complete. This company sees a great future in the briquet industry and believes that it is one of the ways to utilize very fine-sized anthracite.

Anthracite Briquette Company. This company, located at Sunbuiy. Pa., is making briquets from coal dredged from Shamokin Creek. The coal is washed and screened. It is then pulverized and mixed thoroughly with approximately 62 pei' cent of hydrolene (asphalt binder) under high temperature. The coal is then pressed into briquets which go to a cooling table. They stay on the cooling

T1

table 40 minutes and then are loaded into a storage bin or onto railroad cars. The only material used iu these briquets is anthracite fines and the hydrolene binder. They are not and are moisture proof.

St. Clair Coal Companij. The briquet plant at St. Clair was completed in the summer of 192,o. It is the Mashek Eugineering Company's standard type "C-3" plant, which has a capacity of 20 gross tons per hour of 2% ounce pillow-sha{)ed briquets. The coal is anthracite fines.

A drag line moves the coal from the storage pile to Ihe elevator, which raises the coal to the dust bin. Under this bin there are two measuring feeders for regulating the quantity of the materials. These feeders empty into two steam driers, each of which has 1,200 square feet of effective drying space. An elevator takes the material from the driers and discharges it into a dry coal bin. From this bin a feeder with volume control attachments delivers the measured material directly to the pulverizers. The pulverizer crushes the coarse coal so that it passes through a 12-mesh wire screen.

A screw conveyor carries the pulverized material to an elevator which then discharges the coal into the preheater Avhere the coal is heated to the proper temperature for mixing. The four mixers are placed under the preheater. The coal is there mixed thoroughly with the binder. It is then cooled sufficiently for crushing. From the mixers the coal and binder discharge into the briquet press hopper. A belt conveyor takes the bricpiets from tlie press to the oven where they pass through several chambers which are kept at different temperatures. The moisture is driven off and the lighter volatiles of the binder are distilled off. The baked briqmds are taken from the oven to the cooling table whei-e they are sufficiently cooled to remove all danger of ignition when delivered to the briquet bins.

This plant is equipped to mse any of the standard binders such as sulphite, pitch, or pure asphalt.

Combustion of Briquets

Briqitets burn like domestic sizes of anthracite except that less draft is needed. They are slightly more bulky iu the fire pot, and a thicker fire bed is necessary to keep a tire for six or eight hours. Eight to twelve inches of tire bed on two or three inches of ash are generally necessary, deimnding upon the quantity of draft which is applied. A charge of twelve inches in moderate weather will last approximately eight hours. If the fire is governed by a thermostat no attention will have to be given it during this )ieriod. At night and in very temperate weather when it is to maintain a very slow fire, the addition of one to two inches of buckwheat on top of the fuel bed will give very satisfactory results. In fact, a slight mixture of buckwheat at any time gives more body to the fire.

The binder softens soon after the briciuets are ]>ut on the fire. During this period of softening the briquets should not be touched with any instrument becau.se they will lose their shape and interfere with the passage of the draft through the tire })ot. After a short

period the biioler is carbonized and tlie bricjnets are extremely bard. When firing briquets as well as any other form of fuel, all drafts should be wide open. They should be open also when ashes are being taken out of the ash pit.

Tlie condjustion of briquets takes gradually from the outside inward. A good briquet bolds its sba])e until all the carbon is burned out of it. It does not clinker in the fire no matter bow much draft is applied to it.

The ash of the briquet is very fine and should be wet down in the ash pit before the ashes are removed, to (prevent finely divided particles of ash fi"om flying over the furnace room. In fact, any ash pit should be wet down before it is emptied. This saves at least one-third of the dirt from a fire. In the morning the furnace should be shaken down until a faint glow a])])ears in the ash pit. It is not necessary to shake the grate so much that bright of coal fall through into the ash pit. Always keep the ash pit clean. Pull ash pits mean obstructed draft and burned out grates.

After shaking down the ashes ])lace upon the fire from four to eight inches of briquets. After the combustion is started it is well to fire another small charge of briquets. The fire is then ready to heat the house for six hours.

At night or in mild weather when it is desirable to bank the fire, use a poker and move toward the part of the fire bed which is closest to the draft outlet one-half of the glowing briquets. Then fill up the fire pot with new briquets. These new briquets gradually ignite and all the volatile matter in them is driven off and is ignited by the hot coals before it passes the stack. This method eliminates smoke and gives greater efficiency to tlie furnace. A layer of buckwheat on top of the briquets will still further retard combustion and in the morning will hasten the kindling of the fire because of the smaller size.

In using briquets the same care must be taken of the furnace as when domestic sizes of anthracite are used. The boilers of furnaces should be kept thorougiily tight and clean. The heating surfaces particularly should be cleaned when they are sorted up. luch heat is Avasted when carbon is deposited upon heating surfaces. A very easy wa.y of cleaning the entire furance and the lines is as follows: Turn on the drafts until a Avhite hot fire is obtained. ThroAV on the fire from one to five pounds of common salt, the quantity of course being governed by the size of the furnace. In the ordinary household furnace three large handfulls of salt are necessary.. All the salt should be throAvn on at one time. After the salt has been throAvn on, clo.se the firing door and cut doAvn the drafts somewhat.

The salt Avill remove all the dirt accumulations in the furnace and in the flues.

A good anthracite briquet is an excellent form of fuel for domestic use.

Other Fuels Manufactured from Anthracite

There has been much experimentation Avith other forms of fuel than briquets manufactureil from anthracite. None of these fuels are now on the market but much is expected of them Avhen the price of raw anthracite advances still farther. This adAance in anthra-

cite is inevitable because of increased miniiif costs resultiufj from wage rates, the mining of thin coal, the exhaustion of thick coals of good quality, and the increased cost of pumping, for as mining progresses more and more surface water finds its way into the workings.

Anthracoal* Anthracoal is a fuel produced by coking anthracite in ovens similar to those used in the by-])roduct coking of bituminous coal. The primary material is tine-sized anthracite and a mixture of coal tar pitch or other suitable binder. The resulting product is a hard, dense, homogenous mass with a silvery lustre and with a color varying from silvery to grayish black. When by-product coke made from bituminous coal is pushed from the oven it has a cellular structure caused by progressive coking from the outer part of the oven chamber inward. Anthracoal does not have this cellular structure but tends to break up into blocky masses. Anthracoal is denser than coke and is harder, tougher, and stronger. The following tables are taken from the paper by Mr. Markle:

Ratultf! of .sliatfer tests on inithraeoat and colce.

Test in per cent

Anth

First

barrel

Second

barrel

Good blast-furnace coke

Moisture

Under 5, variation

over 3 points

Sieve test:

Through 2-in. screen

Under 40

Through Tin. screen

Through J-in. screen

Under 8

Over 2-in. screen

Over 60

Shatter test:

Through 2- in. screen

lO.Ofi

Under 16

Through 1-in. screen

Through i-in. screen

l.SO

Hardness number .

Over 81

Ana iy sis:

Sulphur

Under 0.95

Volatile matter

Fixed carbon

Over 87

Anatjjsis of antlivoeool in colce orens at fi/rocnse.

Oven

No.

Apparent

specific

gravity

Thme

specific

gravity

Porosity per cent

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

Ash

i.a5

1 In

Taken in part from "Anthracoal, a new domestic and metaliureical fnei made by coking. a,ptjtirafltc ftne wiqr cpl tar . by, ponaid Mai'k-|e, Coal' Age, August, 2.'5, 10-Sl, '

Anal/jffis of (niUnricoal mnde from Lehigh Voal cC- Narigaliou Co.

cleaned culm.

0.20

Volatile matter 1.41

Fixed carbon 80.99

Ash 8.4

Sulphur 0.52

Apparent specific gravity . 1.101

True specific gravity 1.8

Cellular space, per cent . . 38.85 B. t. it's per lb 13,334

By cleaning the silt an excellent product can be produced which meets every requirement of the domestic user.

The process of maniifacturing anthracoal is simple and is almost identical to the manufacture of by-product coke from bituminous coal except that a binder must be mixed with the primary material and the mixture well masticated. The coking time of anthracoal is seventeen hours.

Anthracoal can be crushed and sold in sizes to suit market conditions.

The percentage of binder varies with the kind of material to be briquetted and with the character of the binder. When pitch was used 14-25 i:>er cent was added.

Analyses of pitch, used for binding material.

Flake Pitch, No. 1 IMelting point, degrees F. . 265

Fixed carbon 44.55

V olatile matter 54.39

Ash 0.95

Moisture 0.11

Flake Pitch, No. 2 Melting point, degrees F. . 280

Fixed carbon 46.64

Volatile matter 53.0'8

Ash 0.28

The average ash content of the culm used for anthracoal was 18.96. The volatile matter ranged from 7.42 to 6.52. The sulphur varied from 1.26 to 2.5 per cenh The silt was ]>assed throiigh a 3/64 inch round mesh screen.

Trent process hriqnets. The Trent process removes a large portion of the ash contained in raw coal by the use of an oil emulsion in water. When the coal is cleaned it emerges in the form of pellets which can be I'eadily crushed by the fingers. These pellets are composed of oil and coal and some water. In order to manufacture the domestic fuel it is necessary to pass the pieces through a pre heating chamber where the oils and other volatile products are extracted. The material can be jiressed into various forms and shapes or used in its original form. The resulting material makes a hard, Avaterproof briquet having all the characteristics of good domestic fuel.

Summary

Anthracite briquets are now being manufactured on a commercial basis. They are a highly satisfactory domestic fuel.

Briquets offer a partial solution of commercializing fine sizes of anthracite for domestic use. When the fine sizes of anthracite are used at a profit or at least made to pay for themselves, it relieves

the pressure of mining costs on tlie domestic sizes, and slionid result in a reduction in their price.

Fuel briquets are maniifactured in two ways; by mixing with binders and molding under pressure, or by mixing with bituminous coal and carbonizing.

Manufactured anthracite fuels can also be made by coking with other material and crushing the product into various sizes.

Briquets in the main are of two types : the type which is pressed in dies ; and that which is made in large sizes, broken, screened, and sized like anthracite.

In the anthracite region thousands of tons of fine sized anthracite are now being stored on silt banks or going to waste into the creeks which could be used for briquetting. The tables of analyses show that these banks vary greatly in ash content. Even the banks having high ash content could be used if a suitable market could be de veloped for the manufactured product. Comparatively new methods of separating the ash from fine-sized coal are now on the market and can profitably clean the material which has formerly gone to waste.

The briquetting industry could not use a large iercentage of the fines which are produced in anthracite mining, but briquetting is one method whereby profits could be realized from material which the operators wmuld like to utilize.

The future of the briquet industry is assured. It will be a matter of a few years until it is feasible to produce briquets in large quantities. With the increased price of domestic sizes, anthracite briquets make an admirable fuel to compete Avith natural anthracite.

Powdered Anthracite

When anthracite tvas first used in powdered form combustion engineers believed that at least 80 per cent of the coal should pass through a 200-mesh screen. Experimentation has shown that hard anthracite from the Northern Field will burn efficiently if 70 per cent of it passes through a 200-mesh screen. The end point of good efficiency seems to be in the vicinity of 70 per cent. When the powdered fuel falls to the bottom of the fire pit like showers of incandescent particles, the efficiency is lowered becattse combustion is not completed.

Anthracite can be used by itself in powdered form or in a mixture with bituminous coal. It is particularly desirable to mix some powdered anthracite Avith poAvdei'ed high volatile bitumiuous coal to prevent possible spontaneous combustion in the coal bins and to minimize the danger of firing in the feed pipes.

Eqnipmnif. A jioAvdered coal plant consists of a ])ulveriz('r Avhicb converts the raAV coal into material of the desired mesh. This may range from 40 to 90 per cent through 200 mesh. The coal is then screened and dried and fed directly to the boilers.

Tavo systems are in prevalent use. First, the unit system in Avhich one machine pulverizes, prepares and delivers the coal to the furnace, and second, the multiple system in which the coal is prepared in one building and is transported to another building for storage or for burning. The multiple system is in most preAnlent use although the unit system is gaining in popularity.

The unit system is very compact and particularly desirable where space is at a premium, it consists ot an elevator to deliver the coal to a hopper from which the coal is fed by various means through the pulverizer. After the coal leaves the pulverizer it is sent directly to the feeders without storage.

In the multiple system which is alleged to be more efficient under conditions in large plants, the coal is crushed, dried, and pulverized in a separate building or separate room. The coal is then transported by screw conveyor or compressed air to bins near the furnace where it is fed automatically to the feeders.

Drifing. Powdered anthracite like bituminous coal must be dry before it is fed to the furnace. Silt contains a large percentage of moisture. To procure good efficiency, it must be dried so that it contains only 1 to 2 per cent moisture. If it is moist it arches and packs in the storage bin and clogs readily in the screw conveyor. It is often desirable to dry anthracite before pulverizing it because more power and time is consumed in grinding wet coal than dry coal.

The driers are of several types, mostly rotaries. This equipment consists of an inclined cylindrical shell lilted with rollers which is rotated slowly by a motor. The rate of passage of the coal through the drier can be regulated at will by changing the inclination of the shell and the speed of rotation. The coal is dried by burning coal in a furnace which is of the dried*. The hot gases from the furnace pass over the coal which is to be dried. Some driers pass the hot gases over the shell of the drier and then after they have cooled somewhat they are passed over the coal. This type is the best and safest. The coal is rotated until it has the desired moisture content.

Pvlverizing. After the coal is dried it ])asses directly to the grinding mills. There are numerous types of these mills. Much of the coal is ground in the well-known ball and tube mills. Generally the coal is ground in high-s])eed pulverizing mills. More power is required to pulverize coal as the particles decrease in size.

S{)ecitications as to size vary with the type of fuel and the fuxmace equipment. It is generally recommended that bo per cent of the ])nlverized fuel should ]>ass through a IbO-mesh screen and 80 to 85 ])er cent of it should pass through a 200-mesh screen. The more finely divided coal burns ra])idly and ignites the larger particles. If the particles are too large they are not combusted coni])letely and either go up the stack or fall into the ash pit. This condition not only im])aires the efficiency of the boilei- but seriously slags the tubes. The smaller 1he coal the more rapidly it burns.

DisIrihufloH. After the coal has been pulverized it is transported to the burners. This distribution takes place in two ways. The indirect system of distribution moves the coal fonvard by screw conveyor or compressed air to bins situated near the furnace. The coal is moved from the bins to the furnace by a screw pr other means. In the direct system the coal is blown directly to the furnace from the grinding room by a low-])ressure air current. With the indirect system .separate bins and feeders are required for each furnace. The cost of this installation is greater than that of the direct system,

but it minimizes the danger of explosion. It gives greater control over the rate of feeding the coal to the furnace and the storage gives some leaway in the operation of the furnace in case the drying or pulverizing equipment should break down.

Feeders, mixers, and burners. Tliere are numerous equipments on the market for the introduction of powdered fuel into the boiler. The mechanisin varies somewhat, but in the main the idea is the .same. The powdered fuel is aerated and blown into the furnace a feeder which spreads it in tlie desired direction.

One of the .standard burners consists of a fan-shaped nozzle surrounded by control passages through which air is introduced. The burners are set in the arch with the nozzles at right angles (soim* are inclined slightly) to the front wall. The feeders in certain instances consists of a cast iron screw of variable pitch revolving in an enclosed casing which forms the bottom of the hopper. Coal is fed to this screw by gravity through a ho]>per frame which is bolted to the bottom of tlie pulverized fuel bin. The screw is driven by a variable-speed electric motor. Coal is carried to the end of the feeder by this screw. There it comes in contact with a stream of air, and is thoroughly mixed by means of a revolving paddle wheel. This mixture is like a heavy mechanical gas and is carried to the furnace through a wrought iron pipe. About 10 per cent of the air required for combustion is introduced into the feeders and sufficient pressure is provided to carry the coal through the pipe to the burner.

Barnhuj. Powdered coal is efficient because it can be burned almost completely with a very low excess of air.* Low excess air causes high furnace temperature which in turn causes fusion of ash and erosion of furnace linings. Many of the first attempts to burn powdered coal failed becau.se of the excessive erosion of furnace lining. Another cause of the early failures was the difficulty of removing fused ash from the furnace. A large part of the ash was spread in a molten state on the walls and bottom of the furnace. This molten ash ran down and washed the brick along with it and accumulated in the bottom in a piiddle. The only way to remove this molten ash was to cool the boilers and break it with a )>ick. This difficulty led to the design of a furnace wliich is practically water cooled. A water cooled furnace largely solves the difficulty of ero.sion of the side walls ami accumulatioii of molten slag on the bottom.

Hollow wall construction has met with considerable success in relieving the erosion on the side walls. Hollow walls are built with chauuels between the furnace lining and the outer wall ami througli these channels (it) to 80 per cent of the air needed for combustion is passed before it enters the furnace. The air which passes through the hollow walls cools the furnace lining and reduces the erosion. Ao air outlets lead directly from the outside to the furnace through which a flame might ))utf back into the boiler room.

Many of the statements in tlio tliscussion of huruiiig powder*cl anthracite are taken from "A review of recent applications of powdered <-oal to eam lioilt*rs" Hy Henry Kreisin.aer, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers annual meeting, New York, December 1924.

Figure 18

Section, tlirougli boiler plant equipped witli Lopuleo pulverized fuel system.

?9

Powdered coal furnaces are made large for two reasons: first, to obtain complete combustion, and, second, to avoid impingement of the flame against the furnace walls. Powdered fuel is burned while in suspension in air. The particles of powdered coal require from 1 to 2 seconds to burn almost completely. A large furnace must be provided to permit these particles of coal to stay from 1 to 2 seconds in the combustion space.

The furnace for burning powdered fuel should be larger than the ordinary furnace. It should be either air-cooled or water-cooled and should iiave additional means of varying the supply of air. If the furnace is not air- or water-cooled the flame from the burner must be adjusted so that none of the slag falls upon the side walls. The ash can be removed from the bottom by continuous streams of water. Provision must be made so that the powdered fuel can be introduced into the combustion chamber from the top.

Costs. The cost of preparing fuel for burning in pulverized form ranges from 50 to 90 cents a ton. These figures include the charging off for depreciation, interest, taxes, and insurance, in addition to labor, drier fuel, power, and repairs. When the coal to be powdered is on or near the site of the boiler plant it can be pulverized for as low as 30 cent a ton.

Plants Using Pulverized Anthracite

Numerous industrial plants in the eastern United .States are using small quantities of anthracite in pulverized form.

The Susquehanna Collieries Company is pulverizing anthracite slush and using it in their Lykens and Lytle plants. The Metropolitan-Edison Company is using powdered anthracite at the Middletown plant.

Susquehantia Collieries Company, Lykens plant. This company has a large quantity of fine-sized anthracite in storage which has been settled out of breaker water. This fine-sized coal has excellent quality and is pulverized without cleaning. The coal is scraped into a discharge hopper and conveyed to raw-coal bunkers. From there it is passed into two 25-ton per hour hand fired, double-shelved driers. The coal is reduced to 1 per cent moisture. After the coal is discharged from the driers it is elevated into a dry-coal bin located directly over the pulverizing room.

The screen test of the slush as it is fed to the mills is about 70 per cent through 3/64 inch mesh screen, and the finished material leaving the mills is approximately 82 per cent through 200 mesh. This fine grinding appears necessary with anthracite slush in order to obtain proper ignition.

After the coal is ground it is discharged into screw conveyors which in turn feed the duplicate systems of bucket elevators which carry the coal to a point above the boiler bunker level. It is conveyed from here by a duplicate set of screw conveyors to the fuel bins above the boiler, from which it is fed into the burners. The coal is ignited under a coal boiler by means of a kerosene torch. In less than a minute the coal maintains its own combustion.

The combustion chamber is extended out in front of the boiler in order to get a good burner setting. The floor of the chamber slopes

at an angle of 45 degrees from the bridge wall to within 4 feet of the front wall. The narrow jjortion at the front of the chamber serves as an ash pit. The ashes are removed from the pit by sluicing. The discharge from the mine pumps is run through the pit.

Each of the G boilers is fired by one burner located in the arch which forms the top of the combustion chamber extension. The opening in each burner is approximately inches wide by 5 ft. 2 inches long. Each burner discharges directly against an attached deflector, the position of Avhich is controlled by a chain and screw operated from the floor. In this manner the flame travel can be adjusted at Avill. Provision is also made in the cast iron housing surrounding the burner for admitting secondary air. A damper in the top of the housing is operated from the floor.

M etropolltan-Edison Company, Middletoicn station*. This power ]dant is located on the Susquehanna Kiver near a large supply of river coal. This ;plant pulverizes the river coal and mixes it with bituminous coal.

Distribution of the coal in the bunker of the pulverizing house is by means of a belt conveyor fitted with a plow distributor. This bunker is divided into four compartments for convenience in mixing river coal with bituminous coal. The weigh larry Avhich travels beneath the bunker and serves the pulverizing mill is also divided into two compartments to facilitate mixing. By means of this larry and instruments to measure the power required to drive the different mills the company will secure an accurate comparison of the cost of preparing coal by each mill in the plant. Five piilverizing mills are installed, two Fuller, two Raymond and one Hardinge.

At present four dryers are installed, two Wood dryers and two Fuller-Randolph dryers. The two Wood dryers deliver to the Hardinge mill and one Randolph dryer delivers to a Raymond mill, while the other delivers to a Fuller mill. Plans call, however, for the installation of tAvo more Randolph dryers to serve the other tAVo mills. The Wood dryers use the stack gases and exhaust steam for heating the coal to drive off the moisture. A steel plate fan draAVs the gases from the stack breeching through the coal in the dryer and discharges it to atmosphere through a cyclone collector that prevents the Avaste of coal dust. To prevent the danger of overheating the coal, indicating and recording thermometers are used to show the temperatures of the gas and the coal from the drjers. The Randolph dryers are heated by exhaust steam from the main plant. They also use flue gas for carrying off the moisture. The pulverized coal is transmitted to the boiler room bins through piping by means of two Fuller-Kenyon pumps. When the boiler room bins are full, indicating lamps in the pulAerizing house light up, giving Avarning to the attendants. When a bin is full the coal is automatically diverted to the next bin. Another interesting feature of the coal handling equipment is the electrical interlocking system employed on the elevating and conveying machines by means of Avhich the entire system from the track hoppers to the bunker in the pulverizing house starts and stops in proper sequence, no matter from Avhich control point the equipment may be operated. So completely automatic is the machinery in the pulverizing house that onl.y three men are required

Description taken in part from "Snsfinehanna River Station of I'ennsjivania-New Jersey Snjter Tower System," Tower TIant Engineering, July 15, 1925.

<on a shift to operate it. All the switches c-onti'rolling the motors in the pulverizing room are located in a switchroom carefully tioned off from the other part of the building, as a precaution against an electric spark starting an explosion. The building is heated by exhaust steam from the station auxiliaries, A'ash Engineering Co. pumps being employed to return the condensate.

Each unit of the plant will have four boilers set in two rows of two, each row being served by one stack. At present only three boilers are installed. These are Connelly four-pass boilers, each rated at 1477 h,p., generating steam at d5U lb. gage. The auxiliary piping carries saturated steam but the main piping to the turbine carries steam of the same pressure but superheated to a total temperature of ()GU° F. The furnaces serving these boilers are built for a vertical tlame, the volume above the water screen being 11,000 cubic feet, and the width 24 ft. li/> in. The construction is such as to provide horizontal air ducts between the lining and outer wall through which secondary air is passed from registers at the rear and sides to ports in the front lining of the furnace. The water screen is in the direct circulation of the boiler. American arches are used in all the furnaces, but the is testing out several different makes of tire brick and cements.

In the first unit of the plant two makes of economizers are used, Foster economizers in one row of boilers and Sturtevaut in the other. Careful accounts are being ke])t to determine which gives the better service record. The heating surface in the economizer is equal to 50 per cent of that in the boiler which it serves. Two induced-draft fans for each boiler draw the gases through the economizers and deliver them to the breeching which is of the accordion type, manufactured by Connery & Co.

From the coal bins, of which there is one for every boiler, two groups of three feeders each, driven by two 12-hp. brush-shifting variablespeed motors, deliver the coal to the six burners which are provided for each boiler. This equipment, which was furnished by the Combustion Engineering Corp., is designed for 35 per cent primary air; the 05 per cent secondary air enters at the front of the furnace as previously described. The primaiy air, that which enters with the coal in the burner, is supplied by motor-driven fans, one being provided for each two boilers. The pressure carried is 15 inches of water. The secondary air is drawn into the furnace by the draft created by the induced-draft fans, which are driven by 12.5-11]). sli])- ring motors capable of running at three different s])eeds. This draft is measured at five different points and indicated by a Bailey multipointer draft gage on the boiler control board which is also mounted a Bailey boiler meter which gives the steam-ffow, air flow indications. There is also a recorder .showing the temperature of the water and the flue gas entering and leaving the economizer. The boiler attendants are ke])t informed as to the load on the station by a Fayne-Uean load indicator.

Ashes accumulating in the bottom of the furnace are discharged into a sluice which carries them into the yard where they are used for tilling purposes. This sluice is built without slope but the ash is carried along with water from high pressure nozzles sjiaced along the length of the sluice. Cinders carried over to the third and fourth of the boiler also are being sluiced out into the yai-d.

D— 0

SILT, CULM, AND BREAKER DISCHARGE CONDITIONS AT COLLIERIES AND IN THE STREAMS

Introduction

During the summer of 1925 practically all the collieries producing anthracite were visited to investigate what disposition was being made of the breaker water; to estimate the contents of culm and silt banks; and to observe the methods in use for the recovery of fine sizes from breaker water.

It was impracticable to visit each breaker at length. Some omissions of data may be observable to those who are familiar with the anthracite fields, but in the main all important information concerning the subject of production and utilization of fine sized anthracite is discussed.

Unfortunate circumstances prevented the entry of the writers upon certain properties. However, the information concerning these properties is from most reliable sources.

Each stream was carefully studied, and observations were made of silt accumulations.

Methods of Handling and Storing Silt

Description of common methods. The choice of a method of disposing of silt depends largely upon the available storage space and the topography of the location. There are several methods of storage in general use in the anthracite field. The principle of these are ;

(1) level banks with retaining sides composed of silt and lumber,

(2) settling basins impounded by previous embankments of rock or cinders, (3) dewatering and desliming in a settling tank and stacking by inclined conveyor, (4) settlement in special thickeners and stacking thickened solids, (5) filling old strip pits, (6) filling mine workings, and (7) direct disposal to a stream.

In the first method the silt is carried from the preparation plant by a stream of water flowing in a trough. It is discharged upon the bank and the stream meanders over it at low velocity, or spreads out over it in a thin sheet so that the silt or the coarser part of it is deposited on the surface of the bank. The settling action is impi'oved by keeping an embankment of silt built up around the edges of the bank. This prevents the water from running olf rapidly and washing silt away with it. Sluices, usually made of wood, carry the drain water away from the bank. The inlets to the sluices are boarded up a little above the general surface level of the bank so that a shallow pool of practically still water is maintained around the sluice and over at least a part of the bank.

In the second method a basin is formed by building a retaining bank or dam of cinders, mine rock, or other refuse material which will make a pervious wall. This is usually accomplished without

(82)

building a complete enclosure, by locating the bank in a natural basin, a small stream valley, or on a hillside. The water and silt are discharged into the basin and form a pool in which the silt settles to the bottom and the clarified water drains out through the bank. At some collieries these basins have been made on top of rocks banks so that the water can filter down through the bottom as well as through the embankments.

In the third method the silt and water from the preparation plant are discharged into a rectangular wooden tank in which the coarser part of the silt settles to the bottom and the water and slime overtiow the sides. This is in etfect a large elevator boot. The silt that settles to the bottom is taken up by a slow-motion, perforated bucket elevator which drains out enough of the remaining water so that the silt can be stored in piles with very little loss in run-off.

In the fourth method the settling tank is replaced by the more efficient thickener which is a more effective means of settling the solids and clarifying the water. The various types of thickeners are described in another chapter.

The fifth method is very generally used where old strippings are available. The silt and water flow into the stripping. The water usually drains into underground workings and is eventually pumped out with the mine water.

The sixth method is used principally at collieries which operate under a city or other valuable surface property where it is necessary to take all possible precautions to support the surface. The silt is usually flumed with the breaker water and slate (pulverized in hammer mills) to bore holes, which carry it underground where it is distributed to the proper chambers by pipe lines.

At a few collieries the silt and water are discharged directly into the streams without any attempt to save the silt or to clarify the water.

Effectiveness of settling methods. The various methods of impounding the silt are used with varying degrees of effectiveness. If the water finally runs off the bank in a stream it carries some fine silt with it. No bank of this type was visited that completely retained the silt, although some were sampled where the run-off water carried practically nothing coarser than 100 mesh.

Basins that are surrounded by pervious rock embankments or built on top of rock banks generally retain the silt most effectively. A number of these banks which were studied discharged clear water and obtained 100 per cent settlement of the silt. Complete settlement is accomplished also, in some cases, where old strip pits are used as settling basins, at least in so far as any surface discharge of silt-laden water is concerned.

When settling tanks are used for dewatering the silt before storing it, the percentage of silt which is saved depends primarily upon the size of the bank, width of overflow, and volume of water which is handled. Most of the installations examined were inadequate in size and a large proportion of the silt was lost. A screen analysis of settling tank overflow that is typical of ordinary practice showed 57.8 per cent through 200 mesh ; 80.9 per cent through 100 mesh, and 96.4 per cent through 50 mesh.

The effectiveness of the thickener, like the settling tank, depends upon its size, width of overflow and the volnine of water it handles. The 90-foot Dorr thickener at the Sayre Colliery handled 1,550 gallons of water niinnte and discharged an eltlnent containing .048 pounds of solids per gallon; 93.4 per cent of this solid matter was finer than 200 mesh.

Effect of storage method on quality of silt. The size and purity of silt recovered from the waste water is greatly influenced by the method of handling. All banks, settling basins, or tanks act as classifiers and deslimers unless complete retention of the silt is obtained, and this is nnnsual. The extent to which fines are removed depends upon the effectiveness of the settling action. The classifying action of the settling basins also influences the ash content of the silt which is retained. Where the silt is settled in a series of basins, with the water overflowing from one to another fhere is a marked reduction in size of the material and in ash content in each succeeding tank. The silt which is carried away is cleaner than the same sizes of material which are retained in the bank. This is particularly important where a small settling tank is used to deslime the silt before it is used. The fine clayey material is removed and there is also a tendency to remove larger clean coal and concentrate the dirt in the retained product. Desliming by a rough screening operation would probably improve the quality of the deslimed product which is retained.

Stream Conditions in the Southern Anthracite Field

The Southern Anthracite Field is drained by Nesquehoning Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh, Panther Creek, and Little Schuylkill liiver, the West Branch of the Schuylkill and its tributaries, Swatara Creek, and Wiconisco Creek.

Nesquehoning Creek flows into the Lehigh at Coalport. It carries silt from the Lehigh Coal it Navigation Company, Nesquehouing Colliery, and the Hauto washery of tliat company. There is a large accumulation of silt in the creek valley at Nesquehouing and the creek banks are lined more or less with silt accumulations to the point of confluence with the Lehigh. The water is black. Nesquelioning Creek flows through a sparsely populated territory and no damage is done along its course. The flood plain is comparatively wide at the town of Nesquehoning and little difficulty is had with the deposition of silt.

Panther Creek originates in the mountains IV2 miles east of Lansford. Six or more collieries drain their silt and wash water refuse into this creek. It flows through a narrow valley and there are silt accumulations practically everywhere in its channel except at points where the bank is built up with rock or walled in by other means. The channel is clean through Lansford and Coaldale and Ihe largest accumulations start just west of Coaldale. In the vicinity of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co's. Taniaqua Colliery, 1 mile east of Taniaqua, a large accaimulation of silt is being washed into the Litfle Schuylkill.

The silt and clum banks in this valley are well protected and fhe quantity of silt in the valley is small in comparison to the tonnage of coal produced. Steej) pitch mining also necessitates the

piling of much refuse along the creek valley. These deposits are well protected and not much silt goes into the stream. The accumulations along the stream are old.

Little Schuylkill River drains part of the Eastern Middle Field hut its gradient is steep and its channel is kept clean as far south as Tamaqua. At this point material eroded from old abandoned culm ])iles joins with tlie silt which comes fi-om Fantlu'r Creek. The water of tlie Little Schuylkill from Tamaipia south is black and turbulent. More silt is added south of Tamaqua from old culm banks and from Kresge Washeiy. Where Little Schuylkill River leaves the anthracite'' region it carries much solid material.

Schuylkill River has its headwaters ou the mountain one mile northwest of Tusearora. Mary D ('olliery of tin* Hazde Hrook Coal Company is located on this watershed. Another branch of the head waters drains the wash water and silt from collieries in the vicinity of Tusearora. Although care is taken in settling the silt at Mary D Colliery, some of it goes into the river. The smaller operations in the vicinity of Tusearora also discharge silt into the stream. From Tusearora southwest to Port Carbon the river drains through an area in which mining has been practically abandoned for a number of years. Old culm piles are being or have been worked over and the wash water from these banks has gone into the stream. 8ix or more active collieries dischai'ge silt into the stream between Middlepoid and Port Carbon. At Middleport a small stream is eating away a culm bank which was deposited there many years ago. All of these factors tend to laden the waters of Schuylkill River heavily with silt, with the result that keeping the channel open has a problem at Port Carbon. This channel has been cleaned out but silt is deposited in it each year. At Pottsville the Sclniylkill obtains additional water but not enough to keej) the channel in good condition lietween Potts ville and Schuylkill ITaven. In this locality the flood ]dain is built up with many feet of silt. Where the river cuts through Sharp Mountain the gorge is nan-ow and the current is swift enough to keep its channel clean. Some larger coal is being recovered from de])osits 'lietweeu Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven. The Vest Pranch joins Schuylkill River at Schuylkill Haven and it adds large quantities of silt to the stream. The condition of the Sclniylkill will be discussed further under the heading ''River and Creek Coal."

The West Branch of Schuylkill River is heavily laden with silt. It drains an area in which are located collieries having an enornions daily output. Practically all of these collieries have settling tanks but even under the best of conditions some silt gets into the creek. In addition to active collieries, dozens of old culm and silt banks are located in its drainage area and these banks form a soui-ce of stream pollution. Some of these banks have been worked over and have added silt to the stream valley. Some are without any protection and in one or two instances the creek runs directly through them. Others are eroded at times of high water. Minersville and Llewellyn have difficulty with silt and culm accumulation at various seasons of the year.

Swatara Creek drains an area within the mountains which is very sparsely populated excepting the towns of Tremont and Donaldson. Four active collieries are di.charging some silt into this stream. As

in the case of the Schuylkill the current silt discharge is much augmented by the erosion of old silt and culm banks. Large banks at East Franklin and Rauch Creek Collieries have been worked over. The refuse from these banks is lying unprotected and is washing into the creek. The three branches of Swatara Creek have steen gradients and keep their channels clean. Little difficulty is experienced in keeping this stream from doing property damage. Swatara Creek leaves the anthracite region through a gorge in Second Mountain. Here the current is swift and little deposition has taken place. The valley broadens as it flows through farming country and the flood plains are covered with several inches of black, sticky mud and silt.

Wiconisco Creek originates on the north watershed of Stoney Mountain, 2 miles southwest of Tower City. Three active collieries discharge some silt into this creek. Three accumulations of silt and culm are located on the drainage of this creek. Two of them are not protected and some wash occurs. The other bank is well protected and contributes very little silt to the stream. The water of Wiconisco Creek is black but there is very little evidence of silt deposition the entire length of its course. The current silt production is being well taken care of by settling on well-kept banks.

Silt and Culm Conditions at Collieries in the Southern Field

1. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Short Mountain Colliery.

Location: Lykens.

Drainage: Into Wiconisco Creek.

The water from this breaker is pumped into a settling tank on the hillside above it and the silt is scraped onto a storage pile. This bank contains 500,000 tons of silt and is being used for pulverized fuel in the boiler rooms.

A bank of silt containing 1,000,000 tons is leased to the American Briquet Company. Very satisfactory briquets are being made out of it. The water issuing from this operation is black and contains some silt.

An old culm bank, containing 500,000 tons is covered up with ash and rock. They are now moving the overburden to get the culm.

2. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Williamstown Colliery.

Location: Williamstown.

Drainage: Into Wiconisco Creek.

This colliery has a good settling basin with 25,000 tons of good silt in it. The silt is well settled and very little goes into the creek. A silt bank from an old washery on the mountain side 2 miles northwest of Williamstown contains 20,000 tons. A bank at the breaker has rock and ashes in it. An unsuccessful attempt was made to work it. This bank contains 750,000 tons.

3. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Brookside Colliery.

Location : % mile north of Tower City.

Drainage: Into Wiconisco Creek,

The Avater from this breaker is discharged on top of a culm and silt bank containing 3,500,000 tons. The water is well settled and very little silt finds its way into the creek. Eock is piled around the bank.

Plate Iv

A. Silt bank at Alliance Colliery. The entire valley bottom is filled with silt.

13. Wieonisco Creek near Elinabethville. The banks are covered with black ,-s'liine, but silt deposits are rare on this creek.

3A. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Rauch Gap Colliery

Location: On Cold Spring IMonntaiu above Dauphin. Drainage: Into EanCh Creek.

A culm bank containing 100,000 tons of fairly good material has teen lying at this site for 50 years. Each jeaj- sojue oi it iva.shes awaj. Tlie colliery is abandoned.

B8

4. Pltlladelpliia tC- Peadutg Coal tC- Iron Co. Good Spring Colliery.

Location : Good Spring .

Drainage: Into Good Spring Creek.

Tliis breaker has a settling tank and the silt is scraped np onto a well kept bank containing 3,000,000 tons. Very little silt goes into the river.

5. Philadelphia c€ Reading Coal t€- Iron Co. Lincoln Colliery.

Location: 1 mile northwest of Lorberry Junction.

Drainage: Into Lorberry Creek.

The breaker water is settled on a well kept bank. The discharge is shifted from time to time, and as banks are formed another location is chosen for silt accumulations. Some coal goes into the creek. A bank containing 4,500,000 tons of silt and culm has been worked with good results.

6. Philadelphia d- Reading Coal d Iron Co. East Franklin and

Lower Rauch Creek Collieries. '

Location : East Franklin and Eauch Creek.

Drainage : Into Lower Eauch Creek.

A bank of silt containing 500,000 tons is gradually washing into the creek. The culm has been worked over and refuse piles are a source of stream pollution. These collieries are abandoned.

7. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Colkert Colliery.

Location: Donaldson.

Drainage: Into Good Spring Creek.

There is no silt at this location. A culm bank on the hillside has been worked over. A good bank in the valley containing 100,000 tons has not yet been worked. Some of it is washing away.

8. Philadelphia cC- Reading Coal iC- Iron Co. Middle Creek Colliery.

Location : Middle Creek.

Drainage : Into Middle Creek.

This colliery has a settling tank and scraper line. The silt is scraped uj) onto a bank which is eroded by heavy rains, and some of the silt goes into the creek. There is no culm.

9. Lehigh Talley Coal Company. Blackwood Colliery.

Location : Blackwood, south of Llewellyni

Drainage: Into Swatara Creek.

500,000 tons of mixed culm and silt have been deposited in the creek bottom. It is good material, but is rapidly being washed, into the cx'eek, as it. is unprotectexL,

S9

Plate V

A. Middle Creek ni ;ir its mouth. Silt bars are very nmnerons.

B. West Branch of the Schuylkill near Llewtdlyn. Silt in the foreground.

10. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Old ilrerton Colliery (now Krcsge Washery)

Location : Silverton.

Drainage: Into We.st Branch of Schuylkill River.

This wa.sherry was formerly working a bank of silt and culm. The bank contains 800,000 tons, of which 500,000 tons is silt and dOO.OOO tons is cidm. This bank is fairly well ]rotected, but some of it is washing into the creek.

11. PhiladelpJiia d Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile south of Branchclale.

Drainage: Into Middle Branch of Schuylkill Elver.

An old culm bank containing 100,000 tons has never been worked. It is 60 to 80 per cent coal and contains a large percentage of domestic sizes.

12. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal d- Iron Co. Otto Colliery.

Location : Branchdale.

Drainage: Into Middle Branch of Schuylkill River.

Very little attempt is made to settle the silt at this breaker and much of it is going into the stream.

A 5,000,000 ton culm pile containing GO to 80 per cent coal has not been worked.

13. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Phoenix Park Colliery.

Location : li/ miles south of Forestville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

This breaker is equipped with a settling tank. The silt is scraped from the tank to a silt pile containing 3,000,000 tons. The water is fairly well settled.

A culm pile in the valley west of Phoenix at York Tunnel contains 200,000 tons. They are cleaning it at Phoenix breaker. A good culm bank at the breaker contains 2,000,000 tons which is now being worked. A large quantity of coal leaves this property with flood waters and heavy rains.

14. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Lytle Colliet'y.

Location : Lytle.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The water from this breaker is settled well on a bank and the silt is being pulverised to barley size. The bank contains 1,500,000 tons. There is no culm.

15. Lytle Washery (abandoned).

Location : Forestville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The culm pile has been worked over and a silt and refuse bank containing 300,000 tons is well protected. However, some of the material goes into the stream during high water.

16. Pine Hill Coal Company. Pine Hill Colliery.

Location : 12 miles northwest of Minersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The silt from this breaker is fairly well settled on a bank containing 3,500,000 tons. This bank is in good condition although some of it is washing into the stream. There is no culm.

Plate Vi

A. Silt deposits near Oak Hill Colliery, Pine Hill Coal Co.

B. St. Clair Colliery silt bank. An example of an eflicient bank.

17. Wolf Creek yashery.

Location: 1% miles uoi-tliwest of IMinersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Sclinylkill Biver.

The water from tliis In'eaker goes directly into a creek after being settled on a hank. The water contains ninch tine material. The hank contains 1.50, 000 tons.

150,000 tons of cnlm remain.

18. FhikulrlpJiia. d- Readhuj Could- Iron Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile northwest of Minersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

An old hank containing 100,000 tons of cnlm has not been worked over. It is only fairly well and some of it washes into the creek each year.

19. Pine Hill Coal Compaiif/. Oak Hill Collierij.

Location : Dnncott.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Sclinylkill River.

The silt from this breaker formerly went directly into the stream. They are now settling it fairly well in an improvised pond.

Old cnlm banks aggregating 4,000,000 tons are now being worked by a Chance sejiarator. It is poor material and contains from 25 to :>0 ]>er cent coal. Much of this material is going into the stream.

20. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: Buckley's Station, VA miles northeast of Minersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Sclinylkill River.

A bank containing 850,000 tons of good material has never been worked. It jirobably contains 75 jier cent coal. The finer sizes have been washing into the creek during heavy rains.

21. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Irem Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile north of Minersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Sclinylkill River.

An old cnlm bank containing 50,000 tons has never been worked. It is good mateidal. Some of it has been washing into the creek.

22. Black Heath Coal Co-inpang.

Location: II/2 miles northwest of Minersville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Sclinylkill River.

The silt is Avell settled on two banks aggregating 75,000 tons. Very little material is going into the sti'eam. There is no cnlm.

23. Philadelphia cG Reudiny Coal cG Iron Co. Hack Ran Colliery.

Location : 1 mile south of Glen Carbon.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schnvlkill River.

The breaker water is settled on a perfect settling basin containing 2, .boo, 000 tons, 'ery little coal gets away. There is no colin.

24. Philadel phia tG Readiny Coal tG Iron Co. (lien Doner Colliery

(abandoned) .

Location: Glen Carbon.

Drainage: Into 4Vest Branch of Schuylkill Rivei-.

The silt from this old breaker is accnmnlated in the creek valley. There are 300,099 tons of hne material. Much of it is washing away.

A culm ))ile containing 3,099,000 tons is located along the creek. It has never been worked. It contains probably 70 per cent coal. Some of this bank is also washing into the creek.

25. Philadelphia cG Readiny Coe? cG lion Co. Riehardnon Colliery.

Location: Glen Carbon.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The silt is settled along the creek bottom 1 mile east of the old breaker. It is gradually washing away.

Several of culm aggregating 3,000,000 tons have never been worked. This material contains practically 70 per cent coal and a large percentage of pea and nnt. Some of this material is washing into the stream each year.

2G. Philadelphia cG Readiny Coal tG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile east of Glen Carbon on the north side of

the road.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill Kiver.

A small bank of culm containing :!5,000 tons is of good (piality and has never been worked.

27. Philadelphia tG Readiny Coal tG Iron Co. Thoniaston Colliery (abandoned ).

Location: 1 mile west of Ileckscherville.

Di'ainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

Silt accnmnlated from the old breaker and from (In* washeiw aggregates 1,399,909 tons. This silt is in the creek valley and is washing badly.

The washery is now woiking an old cnlm baid< containing 000 tons. Much tine-sized material from this operation is going into the creek.

2S. Philadel phia tG Readiny (hxil tG Iron Co. Anchor Washery.

Location: 44 mile west of Ileckscherville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The silt from this washery is settled in the creek valley and is

not well dammed up. Much of it goe.s down the .stream. The accumulation contains 300,000 tons.

This washery is working an old clum bank which is practically gone. One culm bank containing 200,000 tons has good quality. Another bank i/2 north of the washery contains 700,000 tons. There is some silt in it.

29. Pme Hill Coal Company. East Ridge Colliery (abandoned). Location : Heckschervdlle.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

A silt bank from this old breaker contains 300,000 tons. The wash from this bank and numerous rock banks in the immediate vicinity is large. There is no culm of value.

30. Philadelphia tf- Reading Coal <C- Iron Co. Pine Knot Colliery.

Location: Heckscherville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

The silt is settled fairly well on a bank, containing 700,000 tons of good material.

The culm has accumulated in two piles. One pile near the breaker contains 150,000 tons of good material. The other pile 1 mile west of the breaker on the south side of the stream contains 200,000 tons. Neither pile has been worked.

31. Philadelphia £ Reading Coal £ Iron Co. Culm.

Location: Yo mile east of Pine Knot Colliery.

Draiuage: Into We.st Branch of Schuylkill River.

Two banks, aggregating 600,000 tons, have been accumulated at this locality. One of them is being worked.

32. Philadelphia £ Reading Coal £ Iron Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile east of Heckscherville.

Drainage: Into West Branch of Schuylkill River.

This bank contains 350,000 tons and has been partially worked. The bank is good.

33. Repplier Coal Company.

Location: lYo miles northwest of New Castle.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

A silt bank containing 350,000 tons is mixed with ashes. It was produced by the Ellsworth Coal Company and is now abandoned. The culm bank has been practically worked out; only 10,000 tons remain. Much material is being washed down the stream from these two refuse banks.

34. Butcher Creek Coal Company. Laurel Run Colliery.

Location: mile north of New Castle.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The breaker water from this colliery is well settled on a small bank containing 50,000 tons. There is no culm.

35. RcppUer Coal Company. Xcic Castle Colliery.

Location : New Castle.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The breaker water from this collierv" is nin out upon a silt bank which is in miserable condition. Most of the silt goes down the creek. An old culm bank containing 50,000 tons originally contained many times this tonnage but has been washed down the creek by floods. There is no culm.

30. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal d- Iron Co. Wadesrille Breaker.

Location: Wadesville.

Drainage: Into East Norwegian Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and the solid material is pumped up onto a bank on the hill. The water drains into the creek and carries some silt with it. The bank contains 800,000 tons. A culm bank on the north side of the road has been worked over and no merchantable material is left. The refuse is washing down the stream.

37. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Culm.

Location: East Mines (Pottsville Shaft ab).

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

At this location are one large culm bank and several small ones. These banks aggregate 400,000 tons and have never been worked. They are good. Very small quantities of this material are washing away.

38. Philadelphia d- Reading Coal d Iron Co. Culm.

Location: 1 mile north of Pottsville opposite Pennsylvania Railroad tunnel mouth.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

Several small banks are located in the valley of a small stream. These banks aggregate 200,000 tons and contain much good material. They have never been worked. There is some wash from these banks.

39. Hudson Coal Company. Chamherlain Bank.

Location: 1 mile northwest of Pottsville.

Drainage: Into West Norwegian Creek.

This bank contains 400,000 tons of very good material. It was being loaded in 1925. Some of the material is being washed down the creek.

40. Philadelphia ct Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Banh.

Location: ii/4 miles northwest of Pottsville.

Drainage: Into West Norwegian Creek.

This hank contains 50,000 tons of good material. Approximately 60 per cent is coal. It has been partially worked. Some of the material has washed down the stream.

41. Philadelphia, tG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Calm.

Location: Oscar Place.

Drainage: Into West Norwegian Creek.

At this location is a 300,000 ton pile of colin from an old abandoned breaker. Another bank containing 200,000 tons was located a short distance down the creek and has been partially worked. These piles are overgrown with grass and small trees and there is very little wash.

42. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: South of Beechwood.

Drainage: Into West Norwegian Creek.

A large accnmnlation of culm in large and small banks aggregated 4,000,000 tons. Some of these banks have been partially worked. They are of excellent quality. Some of the material is washed into the creek each year.

43. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: At Beechwood shaft.

Drainage: Into West Norwegian Creek.

Several banks in this locality aggregate 2,000,000 tons. They are old and of very tine quality. Grass and small trees are growing on them which prevent washing.

44. Alliance Coal Company. Old Palmer Colliery.

Location: Between New Philadelphia and Cnmbola.

Drainage: Into Schlnykill Eiver.

An old silt bank containing 200,000 tons has never been Avorked. The culm banks are practically Avorked out. Probably 150,000 tons remain scattered over the property. Across the river from' this old cnlrn bank is another containing 75,000 tons Avhich lias neAer Avorked. The authors could not trace the oAvnership. This bank is gradually AAmshing into the river.

45. Bt. Clair Coal Company. Bt. Clair Colliery.

Location: % mile north of St. Clair.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The silt from this colliery is pumped from a settling tank up onto a rock dam. The bank contains 600,000 tons. Some silt goes into the streams. Another bank of stored silt contains 1,000,000 tons. There is no culm.

40. Philadelphia cC- Reading Coal cG Iron Company. Cahn from Old Shaft Colliery.

Location: On the west side of Mill Creek at St. Clair. Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

This old bank contains 400,000 tons. It is good and jirobahly contains 00 per cent coal. It has never been worked. Some of the material is washing into the stream.

47. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Pine Forest Colliery.

Location: 1 mile east of St. Clair.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

400,000 tons of silt are piled against the hillside. Some of it is washing away. The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and scraped up the hillside. A culm bank containing 1,000,000 tons is good material and has approximately 60 per cent of coal in it. The breaker now depends upon this bank for its production.

48. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Culm.

Location I/2 mile north of Port Carbon.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

An old culm bank containing 75,000 tons of good material has never been worked. It is overgrown with grass and small trees.

49. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal Iron Co. Culm.

Location: On west side of Mill Creek mile from St. Clair. Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

An old culm bank containing 75,000 tons has never been worked. It appears to have fairly good quality.

50. South Penn Collieries Company. Randolph Colliery.

Location: % mile east of Palo Alto.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled on a rock bank. Much of it finally goes into Schuylkill Kiver. 200,000 tons of very rough culm are accumulated at this breaker. An unsuccessful attempt was made to work it.

51. Fraekville Coal Coynpany. Lncanna Colliery.

Location: % mile southwest of Cumbola.

Drainage: Into Schuylkill Kiver.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a rudely constructed dam. The accumulation contains 20,000 tons. Much of the silt goes into Schuylliill River. The culm is all worked over.

D— 7

Plate Vii

A. Selmj'kill River at Cumbola.

B. Culm bank at Cumbola.

52. Philadel phia t(- Reading Coal tC- Iroii Go. Eagle Hill Colliery.

Location: II/4 miles northwest of Cninbola.

Drainage: Into Sclinylkill Eiver.

The silt from this breaker is put on a rock pile. Some of it eventually reaches the stream.

A culm pile containing 3,000,000 tons is an accumulation of 80 years. They are washing it into cars and putting it through the breaker. It is a good bank. Another pile containing approximately 10,000,000 tons of silt, culm, and rock may have future value.

Plate Viii

Silt b:iiik oil Silver Cn'c

53. Philadxlphia & Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Silver Cixek Colliery.

Location: Silver Creek.

Drainage: Into Silver Creek.

The breaker water is settled on an enormous hank whicli is well dammed np. It contains 1,500,000 tons of silt.

The culm bank at the shaft contains 1,000,000 tons. Much of it has been moved. This bank has a large percentage of domestic sizes in it. It is probably 00 per cent coal. There is some wash from this bank.

54. Lehigh Coal tG Navigation Co. Alliance Colliery.

Location: Kaska, 1% miles north of Middleport.

Drainage: Into Schnjdkill River.

The breaker water is pumped np on a hillside bank which contains 300,000 tons of silt. The drainage water goes into the creek and some silt goes with it. A bank in the valley contains 300,000 tons. It is 12 feet thick. Some of it is being loaded for boiler fuel. There has been much wash from this bank.

The culm accumulation has practically worked out. Approximately' 100,000 tons of material are scattered over th.e hillside.

55. Culm (owner not knoivn) .

Location: mile north of Middleport.

Drainage: Into Schuylkill River.

This bank is evidently from an old breaker. It is in the stream bottom and has been there for years. It coiilains 75,000 tons. The creek coming into Middleport from the north is filled with this silt and culm.

50. Hnzle Brook Coal Company. Mary D Colliery.

Location: Ou Locust Mountain, 1 mile north of Tuscarora.

Drainage: Into Schuylkill River.

The breaker water is settled iu a tauk and the silt is shipped. 75.001) tons is heaped into a The drainage water goes into Schuylkill River and contains some silt. There is no culm.

57. Gorman cG Campion Coal Company. Bell Colliery.

Location; mile west of Tuscarora.

Drainage: Into Schuylkill River.

The water from this breaker is fairly well settled behind a silt dam. The drainage water goes into Schuylkill River and carries with it much silt. A silt dump at this breaker contains 100,000 tons, and 50,000 tons have accumulated behind the silt dam.

The culm bank which contains much rock was unsuccessfully worked. It contains 200,000 tons.

Plate Ix

A. Silt bank at Mary D Colliery, Hazle Brook Coal Co.

B. Silt storage at Mary D Colliery, Hazle Brook Coal Co. The silt is transported by scraper line.

58. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal tC Iron Co. Cuba (prolahhj from old Tucker slope).

Location; Tuscarora.

Drainage; Into Schuylkill Itiver.

This bank contains 50,000 tons and has never been worked. Some ot it is washing away.

59. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tC- Iron Co. Buclcville Colliery

Location: 1 mile northeast of Tnscarora.

Drainage: Into Sclinylkill Liver.

A culm pile containing 1,000, tons of good material is being loaded and sent to Keesedale breaker. Some of this material is washing into the sti'eam. The colliery is abandoned.

00. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Reesedale Colliery.

Location: miles northeast of Tnscarora.

Drainage: Into Schnylkill Liver.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and hauled up the to a well constructed bank. This bank contains 400,- 000 tons. Very little goes into the stream.

An old culm bank has been worked intermittently. 200,000 tons remain. Some of this material has been washing down the hillside.

Gl. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Newkirk Colliery

Location: On Schuylkill Liver east of Tuscarora.

Drainage: Into Schuylkill Liv'er.

Much material from this old dry breaker has accumulated at this locality. One bank containing 800,000 tons has never been worked. It contains approximately GO ])er cent coal and some of it is large sizes. This bank is located on the north side of the road. Another bank (n the south side of the road is now being worked. It contains 300,000 tons. There has been much wash from these two old banks. This colliery is abandoned.

G2. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: High Mines, 1 mile north of Taimnina.

Drainage: Into Little Schnylkill Liver.

A scattered of culm containing 500,000 tons is located on the hillside. This material has never been worked and much of it is washing into the creek.

G3. Lehigh Coal cG Navigaiion Co. Culm.

Location: On the east side of creek, I/2 mile north of Tamaqua.

Drainage: Into Little Schnylkill Liver.

This bank contains 50,000 tons. It is being loaded and run through Tamaqua breaker.

G4. Kresge Wa.diary.

Location: 3 miles south of Tamaqua.

Drainage: Into Little Schnylkill River.

This washery is -working culm from old Donaldson Colliery of the Philadelphia Reading Coal & Iron Company. The colin was trammed down the river because there was no room for it at Tamaqua. These accumulations contain 500,000 tons of good material.

65. Philadelphia cC- Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Culm.

Location: mile south of Tamaqua on the east hillside.

Drainage: Into Little Schnylkill River.

300,000 tons of cnlm are scattered on the hillside and are gradually Avashing into the river. This accumulation has never been worked.

66. East Lehigh Coal Company. East Lehigh Colliery (ahj

Location: -] mile south of Tamaqua.

Drainage: Into Little Schuylkill River.

There are 200,000 tons of culm of doubtful value at this old breaker site. It is gradually washing into the river.

67. Lehigh Coal tG Navigation Co. Tamaqua Colliery.

Location : 1 mile east of Tamaqua.

Drainage: Into Panther Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and is scraped up onto a well kept bank containing 400,000 tons. Some silt goes into the creek. A silt bank in the valley below the breaker is 6 feet thick and contains 200,000 tons. Some of it is Avashing into Panther Creek. Another bank in the Panther Creek Valley came from old No. 13 Colliery. It has been partly Avorked OA'er. It contains 500,- 000 tons. A washery Avas erected here in 1923 but it is noAv closed down. This cnlm is scattered for half a mile along Panther Creek and much of it is being Avashed away.

67A. Lehigh Coal cG Navigation Co. Greenirood Colliery.

Location: 1 mile west of Coaldale.

Drainage: Into Panther Creek.

The breaker Avater from this colliery is run into a settling taidc and rude elevators take the silt to a bank. Very little of the silt is getting into the stream. The bank contains 400.000 tons.

68. Lehigh Coal tC- Navigation Co. Coaldale Colliery.

Location : Coaldale.

Drainage: Into Panther Creek.

The water from this breaker is settled in a tank and the silt pumped up onto a bank. Very little goes into the stream. Numerous silt and culm banks here belonging to this colliery aggregate 1,000.- 000 tons. Some of the material is Avashing into Panther Creek.

Plate X

A. Coaldalc Breaker silt bank.

B. Settling tank at Lansford colliery.

GO. Lehigh Coal cG Navigation Co. Lansford Collier g.

Location ; Lansford.

Drainage: Into Panther Creek.

Tlie breaker water from this colliery is settled in a tank and the silt is scraped up onto a silt bank. Very little solid discharge goes into Panther Creek. A silt bank at the new breaker contains 300, 000 tons. A culm bank near the new breaker contains 500,000 tons. Part of it has been worked for boiler fuel.

70. Lehigh Coal cC- Navigation Co. Ncsquchoning Collier g.

Location : Nesquehoning.

Drainage: Into Nesqnelioning Creek.

The breaker water from this colliery is well settled on a silt bank which contains 1,200,000 tons. The drainage water goes into the creek and is fairly clear.

A culm bank which was originally very large has been worked intermittently for 10 years. It contains 250,000 tons. Some of the refuse material from this 00111017- is washing into Nesqiiehoning Creek.

Stream Conditions in the Western Middle Field

The Western Middle Coal Field is drained by three principal streams, Mahanoy Creek, Shamokin Creek, and Zerbe lUin.

Zerbe Knn has its headwaters at Kiilps. It drains the area between Little and Mahanoy Moiintuins and flows soiithwestward. Two active collieries are located on this creek, the North Franklin Colliery of the Philadelphia & Heading Coal Company, and Kathryn Colliery of South Penn Collieries Company. In addition to current discharge into the stream two large culm banks are being eroded at Trevorton. The water of Zerbe Pun is black and carries much solids in solution. However it does V'ery little damage to the farms through which it flows. The silt bank at Kathryn Colliery is washed by Zerbe Run when the water is high. The breaker water from North Franklin Colliery is fairly well settled, but some solids go into the stream.

Mahanoy Creek first accumulates its water in the mountainous region in the vicinity of Delno. It flows southwestward through Mahanoy City, Girardville, Ashland, and leaves the Western Middle Field in the vicinity of Gordon.

At Gordon the creek has deposited much silt and flows over the entire valley which is comparatively wide. The vegetation has been killed by this silt deposition. The valley bottom between Gordon and Ashland is almost completely filled with silt. At Ashland the gradient of the stream is greater where it cuts a gap through the mountains. At this point the silt banks rise almost directly out of the stream and furnish an almost inexhaustible supply of material to be washed away.

Mine Eun flows into Mahanoy Creek 1 mile east of Ashland. This run carries the silt from two collieries and the water is black. Some accumulation of silt is seen eastward through tlie town of Girardville. Provision has been made here for keeping the creek within its banks. Just east of Girardville, Shenandoah Creek enters Mahanoy Creek. The water of Shenandoah Creek is very black and contains large quantities of solids. It drains the waste material from nine large collieries. The valley of Shamokin Creek is narrow between Girardville and Lost Creek. At Lost Creek u broadens out and thousands of tons of silt and culm have been deposited in it. The enormous banks of the Packer colliery are located in the stream valley and are continuously washed by the water. The town of Shenandoah has very little difficulty with the stream, although it deposits much silt.

Plate Xi

A. Looking up Maiianoy Creek near its moutli. The water is alwaj's black when the mines are working.

B. Looking down Mahanoy Creek near its mouth.

The valley of Mahanoy Creek is comparatively narrow between Girardville and Mahanoy Plane. Some accnmnlation of silt is noticeable bnt the stream keeps its course clear. The largest accumulation of silt in the anthracite region is in the valley of Mahanoy Creek between Mahanoy Plane and Mahanoy City. It represents the accumulation of many years and is the aggregate waste material from approximately two dozen collieries. Most of

lliese collieries did not make an attempt to save the fine material nntil comparatively recently. The valley of Mahanoy ('reek is only a quarter of a mile wide and storage room for waste material is at a premium. This is an area of steep pitch mining and enormous quantities of waste material have been brought to the surface. These banks, scattered along the valley sides, offer a great opportunity for erosion and wash. Mahanoy Creek flows upon a bed of silt as much as 40 feet thick, and meanders between culm banks many of wliich contain over a million tons of material. Kailroads which run through tlie valley have been raised as the silt accumulates It has been necessary to keep the channel hy dredging. This creek valley is representative of anthracite mining. It is a concrete picture of the difficulties encountered in anthracite.

Some of the towns along Mahanoy Creek have great difticulfy in keeping the creek within bounds during flood periods. The deposition of silt fills the sewers and the water backs up into the houses. The towns are built in the narrow flood plain of the stream and nothing less could be expected. Eventually the towns in the valley between Girardville and Mahanoy City will be abandoned and the entire valley will be stripped and coal recovered from the pillars. In this locality the Mammoth bed is very thick, in some places 112 feet, of which 62 feet or more is marketable coal. The damage which the silt in this valley is doing is only temporary and in a way cannot be prevented when so much mining is done in such a restricted area.

Shamokiu C'reek heads in the mountains in the vicinity of Centralia. It Hows northwestward through It. Carmel, Shamokiu, ami enters the Susquehanna at Sunbury. The entire valley bottom is covered with silt. From Sunbury to Little Mountain Gap the flood ])lain of Shamokin Creek is wide, and thousands of tons of impure silt have been deposited. Some of this washes down the creek each year into the Susquehanna. This accumulation has done little or no damage.

The first pollution of Shamokin Creek takes place on the hillside of Big Mountain gap where the Cameron Colliery of the Susquehanna Collieries Company is located. These banks are gradually washing into the river, lost of them have been removed now and less material is being washed away. Small tributaries entering Shamokin Creek in the town of Shamokin conti-iluite their share of solid materials. The creek water is black. Shamokin Creek is lined with stone and concrete walls practically all the way through the town and the current is rapid enough to keep the channel clean. Between Shamokin and Mt. Carmel numerous other collieries add silt to the creek but the current is fast enough to keep the channel The creek valley is narrow between Shamokin and a small settlement called Enter])rise. No damage is doTie by silt between these two points. Coal, (Quaker, Buck, and Carbon runs have contributed silt to the creek. The flood plain of Shamokin Creek widens IY2 miles west of Mt. Carmel. The gradient is less and large quantities of silt have been deposited. This location has been the scene of dredging operations for many years. A fiat Hood plain just west of the town of Mt. Carmel contains thousands of tons of silt. This flood is not as large as it was formerly because some of the

Plate Xii

A. Shamokin Creek, six miles from its mouth. Silt bars are prevalent and the banks are mucky.

B. Shamokin Creek near its mouth. Silt is deposited in each bend of the creek.

material lias been removed. Tlie flood plain has been built up gradually until it has been necessary to take the creek through it in a flume. This condition has caused the city of Mt. Carmel much difficulty, but the condition is tvell controlled. The headwaters of Shamokin Creek are a source of much pollution.

The discharge of silt into Shamokin Creek is much less than it has been in former years. Most of the companies realize that these tine sizes have a potential value and are making concentrated efforts to save most of the tonnage. The creek will gradually clean

its channel and within a few years practically all of the large deposits along its banks will disappear. In fact, a great change has been noticed in the size of these deposits within the last five years. Many of the old contain large proportions of domestic-size coal. These deposits have been practically worked over and all of the material which goes down the stream is of small size.

Silt and Culm Conditions at Collieries in the Western Middle Field

71. South Penn Collieries Co. Kathryn Colliery.

Location: On Zerbe Kun, 314 miles southwest of Trevorton.

Drainage: Into Zerbe Run.

This breaker is settling the water on an improvised silt bank, the base of which is washed by Zerbe Run. The bank is seriously eroded each time Zerbe Run rises. The silt is fairly well settled and the bank contains 40,000 tons. There is no culm.

72. Philadelphia d- Reading Coal <X- Iron Co. North Franklin

Colliery.

Location: mile south of the west end of Trevoi'ton.

Drainage: Into Zerbe Run.

The silt from this breaker is collected on a bank on a hillside above the breaker. The breaker water is first settled in a tank and the coal is pumped up onto the bank. Some silt has been loaded out. This bank washes and some of the silt goes into the stream. There are 1,500,000 tons in the accumulation.

A cailin bank in the creek bottom at the west end of Trevorton con tains 1,000,000 tons. It is probably 60 per cent coal and contains some large sizes. This bank is gradually eroding.

73. Susquehanna Collieries Co. Cameron Colliery.

Location: On the east hillside of the gorge 1 mile northwest of Shamokin.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

No silt is collected at this colliery. All of the breaker water goes directly into the creek.

The remains of an old culm bank on the steep hillside are gradually washing down the hillside into a creek. There are probably 50,000 tons of scattered culm.

74. Shamokin Coal Company. Shamokin Colliery.

Location : On Carbon Run at the south end of Shamokin.

Drainage: Into Carbon Run.

This is a rejuvenated operation and the culm is from an old breaker. There is no separate bank for the silt; what little there is has been run out on the culm bank. No silt or culm is being produced now. The old culm bank has been removed, but 175,000 tons remain scattered over the property. It contains approximately 50 per cent coal. Some of this material is washing into the creek.

Plate Xiii

A. Quaker Run near Sliamokin.

B. Flumes carrying Sliamokin Creek through the valley west of Mount Carmel. These flumes concentrate the water and the creek keeps its artificial channel clean.

75. Philadelphia d Reading Coal Iron Co. Bear Y alley Colliery.

Location : 2 miles southwest of Sliamokin.

Drainage: Into Carbon Run.

Several piles of silt from this breaker are accumulated in the valley 1/4 mile east of the collieiw. There is a bank below the breaker which is forming from the accumulation from a settling tank. The silt is mixed with slate and rock and its recoverable value is partially destroyed. More care could be taken at this colliery in the settling of the silt. Much of it goes into the stream. The accumulation of silt at this colliery is 110,000 tons, and culm 500,000 tons.

76. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal cC- Iron Co. Burnside Colliery.

Location : Burnside, 1% miles south of Shamokin.

Drainage: Into Carbon Kun.

There is a settling tank at this colliery and the silt is pumped up the hill to a bank containing 750,000 tons. The settling tank at tliis breaker overflows and some of the material goes into the creek. The silt bank washes and some of the silt is lost. An old culm bank containing 500,000 tons is located on the east side of the road. This a]>- pears to be a good bank. Some of this bank is washing into the creek.

77-78. Philadelphia c6 Reading Coal tC- Iron Co. Henry Clay Colliery.

Txcation: 1 mile south of Shamokiu.

Drainage: Quaker Run.

The silt from this breaker is pumped out of the settling tank onto a bank on a hillside above the breaker. The settling tank is not Avatched carefully and it often overflows and much fine-sized material reaches the stream. The silt bank also washes.

The culm is accumulated in two piles ; one at the breaker contains 500,000 tons, and another around the hill from the breaker contains 500,000 tons. An additional culm pile some distance from the breaker contains 100,000 tons. It has some ashes in it but its quality is fair. This bank is also eroding.

79. Puritan Coal Company. Buck Ridge Colliery.

Location: 1 mile east of Shamokin.

Drainage: Into Coal Kun.

The silt from this breaker is settled in the creek bottom. It is grad ually Avashing aAvay and is not Avell dammed up. The Avater from the breaker goes directly out onto the bank and runs across it Avithout much settling. There are 75,000 tons of silt in the stream valley. There is no culm.

80. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal tC- Iron Co. Culm (Ohl Green-

hack).

Location: West side of creek i/o mile soutli of KanshaAV.

Drainage: Into Quaker Run,

This bank is from old Greenback Colliery Avhich is noAv abandoned. It has excellent quality and is loaded into freight cars and shipped to Ashland for preparation. It contains 500,000 tons. Precaution has been taken to keep the bank from washing.

81. Excelsior Coal Company. Carhon Colliery.

Location: 1 mile south of Ranshaw.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

The silt from this breaker is not saved. It goes directly into the creek.

Culm has been accumulated in three banks aggregating 1,000,000 tons. These banks are noAV being AA'orked intermittently. O'hey arc being washed by heaAy rains Avith the consequent loss of material.

N2. Xorthumherland Mining Co. Enterprise Colliery.

Location: li/ miles south of Eanshaw.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

The silt from this colliery is settled on two banks. The water runs across these hanks and into the stream without complete settling. The banks are not properly pi'otected. These two banks contain an aggregate of 800,000 tons.

A very good old bank of culm contains 400,000 tons. Part of it has been worked over.

S3. Shipman Coal Company. Gienhrooh Colliery.

Location: 1 mile north of Eanshaw.

Drainage: Into Coal Eun.

The lu'eaker water from this colliery passes over a badly kept silt bank. Practically all of the silt goes into the stream. The bank is small and contains approximately 10,000 tons. There is no culm.

84. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Washery.

Location: IV2 miles northeast of Shamokin.

Drainage: Into Coal Eun.

This colliery is washing a leased culm bank. This was once a large bank but only 50,000 tons remain. It is good culm. The residue after washing is not stored and most of it goes into the creek.

85. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Luke Fidler Colliery.

Location: 1 mile east of Shamokin on the State highway.

Drainage: into Coal Eun.

The silt from this breaker is accumulated on two large banks. The settling is done fairly well although some silt goes into the stream. These baidvs contain an aggregate of 800,000 tons. There is no culm.

80. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Scott Colliery.

Location: Kulpmont.

Drainage: Into Quaker Eun.

The silt from this colliery is very well settled in a tank and is taken up by scraper line to a bank. Very little gets away to the stream. The bank contains 1,500,000 tons. There is no culm.

87. Colonial Colliery Company. Greenough Colliery.

Location : I/2 niile northeast of Kulpmont.

Drainage: Into Quaker Eun.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and is scraped up onto a bank. The operation is efficient and very little silt is going into the creek. This bank contains 2,000,000 tons. The breaker has no culm bank. The rock pile, which is rather large, may contain some good coal.

88. Colonial Colliery Company. Natalie Colliery.

Location; 3 miles northwest of Mount Carmel, and 14 miles .southeast of Bear Gap .settlement.

Drainage: Into Coal Bun.

The silt from this collieiw is efficiently settled in a tank and .scraped up onto a hank. N'ery little silt washes away. The bank contains 500,000 tons.

A large bank of culm containing 500,000 tons is probably 10 ]>er cent coal.

89. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Pennsylvania Colliery.

Location: Strong post office, IV2 ndlcs west of Mount Carmel on the State highway.

Drainage: Into Quaker Run.

This breaker has a settling tank and the silt is scraped up onto two large banks aggregating 1,000,000 tons. Very little silt goes to waste. There is no culm.

90. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Richards Colliery.

Location: % mile north of Mount Carmel.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

This breaker has a settling tank and the silt is scraped up onto the bank. Very little is wa.sted. This bank contains 500,000 tons. There is no culm.

91. Wentz d Company. Midvalley Colliery.

Location: Wilburton, 2 miles northeast of Mt. Carmel. Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in the creek bottom. A large quantity goes down the stream. This bank contains 2,000,000 tons. There is no culm.

92. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Sayre Colliery.

Location: mile east of IMt. Carmel.

Drainage; Into Shamokin Creek.

This breaker has a 90 ft. Dorr thickener and the silt is scraped up onto a large bank containing 1,000,000 tons. Very little of the silt is getting away.

A fine large bank of culm coiitaining 1,000,000 tons is now being worked. This bank probably contains 70 per cent coal.

93. Philadelphia d- Reading Coal d Iron Co. Reliance Colliery.

Location: At the east end of Mt. Carmel.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

The water from this breaker is .settled by running over a well kept bank, but some of the silt goes into the stream.

One large culm bank containing 1,000,000 tons is of good quality. Another bank, a mixture of rock and culm, contains 750,000 tons. Its value is uncertain.

D— 8

Plate Xiv

A. Stream conditions at Mount Cafmcd.

B. Stream conditions at Mount Carmel. Much of the silt and culm has hern removed.

C. Shamokin Creek west of Mount Carmel. Qdie washery in the background was used to recover creek coal.

94. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal Iron Co. Alaska Colliery.

Location: Alaska.

Drainage: Into Shainokin Creek.

The silt from this breaker was settled in a tank and scraped up onto a bank. Some of it was used inside and some of it went into the creek. The bank contains 750,000 tons. This breaker is now burned down.

The culm bank is on fire and its value is small.

95. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Lornst (lap Colliery.

Location : Locust Gajj.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

This breaker has a settling tank and a line. Very little solid material goes into the stream. There are two banks, a large one containing 2,000,000 tons, and another containing 500,000 tons. The culm is contained in two banks. One located mile north of the breaker contains 1,200,000 tons. It is a tine bank and is probably 65 per cent coal. Another bank is located at the breaker. It is also good and contains 1,000,000 tons of material.

96. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Hioa.r No. 1 Colliery (ah)

Location: At northwest city line of jVIt. Carmel.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

This breaker has been dismantled. An old culm bank containing 2,000,000 tons has never been worked. It is a good bank. Very little of it is washing away.

97. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Keystone Colliery

Location : Locust Dale.

Drainage: Into Dig Run.

A large bank of culm on a hillside south of Locust Dale contains

1.000. 000 tons. It is an excellent bank and has never been worked. Some of it is washing into the stream. Colliery abandoned.

98. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Potts Colliery.

Location : Locust Dale.

Drainage: Into Big Run.

This colliery has a settling tank and the silt is pumped onto a bank on the mountain side above the breaker. This bank contains

2.000. 000 tons. Very little silt is lost.

The culm is contained in three piles aggregating 2,500,000 tons. It is good material and has never been worked.

99. Philadelphia tC- Reading Coal d Iron Co. Merriam Colliery

Location; 12 miles south of Mount Carmel.

Drainage: Into Big Run.

This colliery is abandoned.

The silt from this old breaker is gradually washing away. The bank is not protected. It contains 500,000 tons.

Some culm has been shipped from this breaker; 2,000,000 tons remain scattered over the ground.

too. Philo delpliia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Old Johns Colliery

Location: 2 miles southwest of Mount Carmel and Yo mile

east of Locust Gap.

Drainage: Into Shamokin Creek.

The material from this bank is gradually washing into the stream. The bank contains 1,000,000 tons. It has been worked but little. This colliery is abandoned.

101. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Centralia Colliery.

Location: mile east of Centralia.

Drainage: Into Mine Run.

The silt from this breaker was formerly settled in a tank and scraped iip onto a bank ; now most of it settles in a dam below the old silt bank. Some of it goes into the creek. An estimate of the silt in those banks was placed at 2,000,000 tons.

Several banks of culm aggregating 1,000,000 tons are scattered on the breaker property and in the valley beloAv. Much of this material is washing into the stream.

102. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Bast Colliery.

Location: At Big Mine Run, 1 mile northeast of Ashland.

Drainage: Into Mine Run.

This colliery has a settling tank and a scraper line. The silt is scraped to a bank containing 1,250,000 tons. Some of the silt goes into the stream. This property has several good old culm banks aggregating 1,000,000 tons.

103. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iron Co. Old. Tunnel Colliery

Location: East end of Ashland.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

This colliery is abandoned.

A silt bank containing 300,000 tons is gradually washing into the creek. A good culm bank containing 250,000 tons is now being worked. It has been washing into the stream.

104. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Preston No. 3 Col-

liery (ah)

Location: West end of Girardville.

Drainage: Into Maliauoy Creek.

The silt bank from this old breaker is located on the north side of the road at the west end of Girardville. It contains 1,000,000 tons. Some of it is washing into the creek.

An old culm containing 1,. 000 tons is excellent. It has never been worked.

105. Wentz tG Cirard. Colliery.

Location: Vo of Girardville.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

This colliery has a settling tank and a scraper line. The silt is scraped np onto a bank containing 400,000 tons. This bank has been partially worked. Some of the silt from this colliery goes into the stream. Several small of culm are lying about the property and aggregate 400,000 tons. Heavy rains are gi'adnally washing them away.

106. Wentz tG Company. Girard Mammoth Colliery.

Location: Raven Run, 2 miles northeast of Girardville.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The silt from this colliery is settled and scraped np to a well kept bank. Very little gets away. The bank contains 2,000,000 tons.

A cnlm bank containing 500,000 tons of good material has not been worked. This bank is being eroded a little.

107. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal tG Iron Co. Hammond Colliery.

Location: Lost Creek, li/k miles northeast of Girardville.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

This colliery has a settling tank and the silt is mixed Avitli the culm on a large bank containing 2,000,000 tons. Some of the silt goes into the creek. A large cnlm bank on a hillside contains 500,- 000 tons. It is being washed considerably by heavy rains.

108. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Packer No. .5 Colliery.

Location: i/k mile northeast of Girardville.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The coal from this colliery goes to Packer No. 4 for preparation. There is no production of silt now. There is an accumulation of 2,000,000 tons in the creek valley. It is w'ell protected but is in an unfortunate position. Some of it goes into the streams. A cnlm bank containing 1,500,000 tons is composed mostly of the so-called bony coal of former years. This coal is of value now.

109. Philadelphia Reading Coal Iron Co. Culm and silt.

Location: I14 miles west of Malianoy Plane.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

A culm bank from old West Bear Ridge colliery is gradually washing into the creek. Its value is slight.

A silt bank containing 1,200,000 tons of good material is located in the creek valley and is gradually washing away.

110. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Faclcer Nos. 2, S, tC-

Location: mile west of Shenandoah.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled on large banks in the creek valley containing an aggi'egate of 5,000,000 tons. The creek is rapidly eating into the base of both the silt and culm banks.

Enormous banks of good culm in the creek valley contain 3,000,- 000 tons of material. Idiese piles are being Avashed by Shenandoah Creek.

111. Susquehanna Collieries Company. William, Penn Colliery.

Location: William Penn, 1 mile west of Shenandoah.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

One large silt bank contains 400,000 tons. There is'nothing larger than No. 3 buckwheat in it. The water is fairly well settled, but some silt goes into the stream.

The old culm banks are practically exhausted. One culm bank of 50,000 tons has been practically worked over.

112. Dodson Coal Conpany'. Locust Mountain Colliery.

Location: mile west of Shenandoah.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The Avater from this breaker is settled on a Avell-dammed np bank containing 400,000 tons. A settling tank partially deAvatei's the silt. The Avater drains into Shenandoah Creek and contains some silt.

A culm ])ile containing 800,000 tons is iioav being Avorked. Some of the pile is being covered by rock.

113. Philadelphia Reading Coal c6 Iron Co. West Shenandoah

Colliery.

Location: West end of Shenandoah.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled and then pumped up over the rock pile. Much of it goes into the creek. Practically all of the culm piles have been AVorked over. Approximately 50,000 tons remain uuAvorked. About 300,000 tons of Avorked over material Avill be valuable.

114. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Shenandoah City Colliery.

Location: At southeast Slienandoah City line.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The silt is settled in a tank and pumped np onto an old cnlm hank which has not been worked. Tlie hank contains tons

of material.

115. Hailciyh Brook wood Coal Company. Kchley Ran Colliery.

Location: li-k miles northeast of Shenandoah City.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

The breaker water goes directly into the silt hank. It is not well settled and some of it goes into the creek. The bank contains 50,000 tons.

An old cnlm hank which was originally enormons has been worked over and only 10.000 tons of cnlm remain. Some of the refuse is washing into the creek.

116. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Indian Ridge Col-

liery (ah).

Location: mile east of Shenandoah in the valley of Shen-

andoah Creek.

Drainage: Into Shenandoah Creek.

A culm hank which originally contained an enormons tonnage is now being worked. There are 2.000,000 tons of material in this fine haidc. It contains 60 to 70 per cent coal with some large sizes. There is no silt at this location.

117. Harleigh-Brookwood Coal Company. Lawrence Colliery.

Location: mile southeast of Mahanoy Plane.

Drainage: Into 3Iahanoy Creek.

This breaker has a settling tank for the breaker water and the silt is scraped up onto a bank by a scraper line. There are 1,000.- 000 tons of silt in th,e pile. Some of it is washing down the hill. Several old cnlm ])iles aggregating o,000,000 tons have a very small percentage of valuable material in them. These banks are also gradually eroding.

118. Coal Company. Stantow Colliery.

Location: Mahanoy Plane, on the north side of Mahanoy Creek.

Drainage: Into 3Iahanoy Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in the creek valley. Much of it washes down the stream. The culm and silt are mixed in a large bank which contains 2,500,000 tons.

119. PMladelpMa tC- Reading Coal tC- Iron Co. Draper Colliery (ah)

Location: West end of Gilberton on the south side of the creek.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

No silt is being produced at this breaker. 500,000 tons of this material has been settled between rock banks in the creek valley. These banks are gradually washing into the creek. There is no culm.

120. PUiladelpMa & Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Gilberton Colliery.

Location: Gilberton, on the north side of the creek.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

This breaker has a settling tank. The silt is scraped up onto a pile by a scraper line. There are 8,000,000 tons of mixed culm and silt in a large pile in the creek bottom. During high water much of this material is washed down the creek.

121. Philadelphia cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Boston Run Colliery (ah).

Location: Boston Run.

Drainage: Into Boston Run.

The silt from this breaker is settled in the creek valley. It is gradually washing into the stream. A dredge is operating here to keep the channel open.

One small culm bank in the creek valley, containing 25,000 tons has not been worked. It also is gradually washing away.

122. Philadelphia tG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. St. Nicholas Colliery.

Location: St. Nicholas.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and scraped xip on the hill above the breaker. The bank contains 500,000 tons. Very little silt goes into the stream except through the weathering of the bank. There is no culm.

123. Philadelphia. cG Reading Coal cG Iron Co. Maple Hill Colliery.

Location: i/4 mile north of St. Nicholas.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt from this breaker is taken from the settling tanks by a scraper line onto a bank on a hillside. The water is well settled, and very little silt goes into the creek. The silt is mixed Avith culm in banks aggregating 5,000,000 tons. Some of the culm has been Avorked over.

Plate Xv

B. View up Malianoj' Cri'ok from the Frack\ illc road.

C. Malianoy Creek near Gilbertoii. The channel is dredged to keep it clean.

124. Philadelphia d Reading Coal cC- Iron Co. Ellangoivan Col-

li erg.

Location: % mile north of St. Nicholas (This description inclndes the accnmnlations from Knickerbocker Colliery).

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a tank and taken np onto a bank of mixed culm and silt containing 1,000,000 tons. Very little of this material is washing into the creek. The water is well settled.

125. Madcira-Hill Coal Company. Morea Colliery.

Location : Morea.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The silt from this breaker is settled in a Dorr thickener but some of it finds its way into Mill Run. The silt is scraped onto a rock bank. It is impossible to estimate the quantity. A culm bank which has never been worked contains 400,000 tons of good material. Some of the current silt is sold to the New Jersey Zinc Company.

126. Madeira-Hill Coal Compjany (Thomas Coal Co.) Neio Bos-

tcm Colliery.

Location : New Boston.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The old breaker is torn down and Ihe coal is now being prepared at Morea. An old silt bank containing 100,000 tons is located in the creek valley. Some of it is washing away. A culm bank containing 400,000 tons is good and has never been worked.

127. Philadelphia Reading Coal d Iron Co. Twmiel Ridge Col-

liery.

Location: West end of Mahanoy City.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The water from this breaker is settled but much fine material goes into Mahanoy Creek. The silt is contained in two banks on the south side of the creek. One contains 200,000 tons and the other 400,000 tons.

The culm has been accumulated in two banks. One on the north side of the creek contains 600,000 tons. The bank on the south side of the creek contains 700,000 tons.

128. Philadelphia d Reading Coal d Iroji Co. Mahanoy City and

North Mahanoy Collieries.

Location : mile north of Mahanoy City.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt bank from this breaker is on the east side of the road. It contains 600,000 tons. The water from this breaker is settled in a

tank and a scraper line takes the silt to a bank. The water is fairly well settled but some fine material goes into the stream.

One nnworked cnlm jiile contains 600,000 tons. Another colin pile which has been worked over ln;t has mnch fine-sized coal in it contains 500,000 tons. A cnlm bank opposite North Mahanoy breaker is in litigation between the Lehigh Valley Coal Company and the Philadelphia & Eeading Coal & Iron Co. It has not been worked and is of excellent quality. It contains 600,000 tons. The aggregate tonnage of all of these banks is 1,700,000 tons.

120. Lehigh Tnllcg Coal Company. Glendon Colliery, (ah)

Location: East end of Mahanoy City.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

A culm ])ile on the site of this old breaker is being worked and to S{)ringdale Avasliery. Approximately .500,000 tons of material remaining contains about 60 per cent coal.

130. Lehigh Talley Coal Company. Springdale Washery.

Location: 1% miles northeast of Mahanoy City.

Drainage : Into Mahanoy Creek.

This washery is washing the coal from old Glendon Colliery and old Springdale Colliery. The wah water goes into Mahanoy Creek, taking with it large quantities of silt. It is not settled. The old Springdale bank contains 1,000,000 tons of culm which is approximately 60 per cent coal.

131. Lehigh Talley Coal Compang. Springdale yashery (ah)

Location : li/o miles northeast of Mahanoy City.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

This old washery is now abandoned and a culm pile containing 300,000 tons is composed chiefly of vei*y fine-sized coal. This bank is gradually wa.shing into th.e stream.

132. Lehigh Talley Coal Company. Park Place Colliery.

Location : Park Place.

Drainage: Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt from this colliery is only fairly well settled. It drains across a silt bank which is not properly dammed up. The bank contains 300,000 tons. It is now being worked. The silt is 20 feet deep in the valley and a large quantity is washing away.

133. Lehigh Talley Coal Co. Old Steels Colliery (Primrose Section)

Location : 1 mile east of Mahanoy City.

Drainage : Into Mahanoy Creek.

The banks of this old breaker site are now being sent to Springdale Washery. Two large piles aggregating 1,000,000 tons have never been worked. Some silt is mixed with the culm.

134. Lehigh Y alley Coal Co. Buck Mountain Breaker.

Location: Buck Mountain town.

Drainage : Into Mahanoy Creek.

The silt from this breaker, whic'h is now known as Vulcan Colliery, is settled fairly well by running the water over a bank. The bank contains 50,000 tons.

The coal from old Buck Mountain breaker is now going to Vulcan Colliery. Two culm banks on the old breaker site have never been worked. One bank contains 700,000 tons; the other 300,000. The coal content is between 30 and 40 per cent.

Stream Conditions in the Eastern Middle Field

This coal field has Hazleton as its center and the coal is contained in numerous elongated basins running in a general northeast-southwest direction. Pond Creek, Sandy Bun, Black Creek, Hazle Creek, Beaver Creek, and Catawissa Creek are the principal streams in this area. All of them are polluted more or less with mine water and silt.

Pond Creek has its source near Upper Lehigh Colliery of the Hazle Brook Coal Company at the town of Upper Lehigh. Some silt has accumulated along the banks of this stream but only one colliery is discharging silt into it. This silt is gradually washing down the creek. A large swamp approximately 2 miles east of Upper Lehigh acts as a settling basin for it and very little silt reaches farther east than Zehner.

Sandy Run rises near the town of Highlands. It flows eastward past the Sandy Run Colliery of M. S. Kemmerer & Company. This colliery and Highland No. 2 Colliery of the Jeddo-Highland Coal Company are the only ones which discharge silt into the stream. A number of large culm banks are gradually being washed and some of the material is lost. In the vicinity of Sandy Run Colliery a quarter of a million tons of culm have been deposited in the valley of Sandy Run. This culm is gradually being washed away. The swan])s south of Sandy Run Colliery contain a large accumulation of silt. The gradient of the stream increases as it flows toward Lehigh Kiver. The water carries the silt away and very little deposition it noticed along its banks near its confluence with the river.

Hazle Creek originates in the town of Hazleton which is built on the water shed between eastward and westward flowing waters. This creek flows eastward through an territory to Weatherly where it joins Black Creek (this creek flows eastward and is not the same ci-eek which will be discussed in a later paragraph). Two collieries drain refuse into this creek. Two culm banks are also discharging wash into it. The greatest accumulation of silt is immediately east of Hazleton in the vicinity of Lehigh Valley Colliery. This creek flows through a sparsely populated territory and the deposition of silt along its banks is not detrimental. In the vicinity of Stockton the road has been raised more than 10 feet in order to keep it above the level of the silt. Many thousands of tons of silt are deposited in this creek valley between Stockton and Hazleton. Much of it has very little value. Hazle Creek has a steep gradient through the town of Weatherly and its channel is clean.

Plate Xvi

A. Mouth of Nescopeck Creek. Large sand and coal bar on far bank.

B. Nescopeck Creek near Catawissa. Its rapid fall keeps the channel clean.

Beaver Creek originates near Jeanesville and Tresckow. This creek drains a very important mining area, an area in which mnch waste material has been mined. Six collieries are located on its watershed. Some of these collieries are not active hnt old culm banks at their location furnish the source for much stream silting. These collieries in their earlier days did not attempt to settle the silt and in consequence the broad valley bottom at Beaver Meadow town has been completely covered with silt. This silt has a maximum thickness of 25 feet. The stream fans out over it and is still deposit-

ing fine material from the active collieries. This accumulation is not nearly so great as it has been in the past. Each year this creek washes some of the old material down the stream Avith a result that its channel is practically filled all the to its confluence Avith Hazle Creek. This accumulation is one of the most striking in the anthracite region. Millions of tons of material have been deposited Avithin 2 miles east and AAest of Beaver MeadoAv toAvu. The Hazleton Mauch Chuuk higliAvay has been raised several times to keej) it above the level of the silt.

The Candlemas Colliery of the Candlemas Coal Company is the only colliery Avhich drains directly into a tributary of Little Schuylkill River. Old accumulations of culm and silt Avasdi some undesirable material into the creek. This river is comparatively clean as far south as Tamaqua Avhere Panther Creek enters it.

CataAvissa Creek has its source in the sAvampy land in the vicinit,y of Audenreid. On its lieadAvaters are a large number of old silt banks Avhich are gradually Avashing into the stream. SeAnral actiAe collieries also discharge silt into it. The headAvaters of this creek contain more or less silt, but its gi*adient is rapid after it leaves the SAvampy land and verj' small accumulations of silt can be seen along its bank. Other tributaries entering CataAvissa Creek farther AAnst- AAmrd carry some silt but the pollution is slight. No damage has been done because CataAvissa Creek Hows through a very sparsely populated territory.

Black Creek, which rises in the SAvamps in the vicinity of Eckley, carries more silt than any olher stream draining the Eastern Middle Field. A dozen active collieries and as many more old culm banks are discharging silt into it. On its headwaters is a large accumulation of silt betAveen Eckley Colliery and the SAvamp at No. 4 Colliery of the Jeddo-Highlaud Coal Company. At the Jeddo- Highland Coal Company at deddo it has been necessary to move Black Creek and dig a ucav channel for it. At this there is a very large accumulation of sill. The surface is not valuable and this accumulation is doing no damage.

The creek tioAvs through a comparatively Avide valley from Jeddo to the point AAdiere it joins Cranberry Creek. Small accumulations of silt line its banks for its entire distance. The creek has enough Avater in it to clear its channel at least once yearly and no difficulty has been encountered in the stream Avithin its banks. Large <-ulm banks in the vicinity of Lattimer and llarleigh are Avashiug into the creek.

Cranberry Creek, Avhich is the southern tributary of CataAvissa Creek, contains the discharge from three collieries. This creek is black and much silt is accumulated along its Amlley, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the collieries. The land along this creek is practically uninhabited and no inconvenience has been encountered Avhen it ovei-fiows. These collieries are uoav taking more precaution in settling the solid refuse. From Black Ridge station to the point Avhei'c the creek leaAes the coal-bearing territory the valley is narroAV and the gradient of the stream is steep enough to keep its course clear. It gathers more solid material from the Avash of old rock and culm banks along its valley.

rivATE XVII

A. Black Creek near Eckloy Colliery.

B. The new channel of Black Creek. It was moved away from the mine workings.

C. View on Black Creek. The water is very black when the collieries are working.

Silt and Culm Conditions at Collieries in the Eastern Middle Field

135. Buck Mountain Coal Co.

Location: west of Gowen.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

This colliery was not visited by the writer, bnt it was reported to him from authentic sources that a rock pile containing 25,000 tons contains approximately 20 per cent coal. There is no information concerning the disposition of the water.

136. Coxe Brothers c6 Co.

Location : % mile west of Deringer.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

There is no breaker at this location. The coal is now prepared at Hazleton shaft. A large bank containing approximately 800,000 tons of material contains some coal. Its value is doubtful.

137. Coxe Brothers tC- Co.

Location: 1 mile southwest of Tomhicken.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

There is no breaker and no silt accumulation at this location. A culm containing 35,000 tons of material was made by an old breaker 30 years ago. Its value is not great.

138. Hazle Mountain Coal Co.

Location: Black Ridge Station.

Drainage: Into Tomhicken Creek.

No coal is being prepared at this location. Two banks, the remains of waste material from the old breaker, have not been worked over. One composed of a mixture of culm and silt, contains 100,000 tons. Another bank contains 100,000 tons of silt of good quality.

139. Coxe Brothers cG Co. Oneida Collier j/ (ah).

Location: Oneida.

Drainage: Into Tomhicken Creek.

The breaker is now abandoned. There is no culm, but a good bank of silt containing 500,000 tons still remains.

140. Harwood Coal Co.

Location: Harwood.

Drainage: Into Cranberry Ci'eek.

The water from this breaker goes directly into Cranberry Creek with very little attempt at settling. The silt bank contains 300,000 tons. The culm has been removed.

141. Cranherry Creek Coal Co. Cranherry Colliery.

Location : 1 mile west of Hazleton.

Drainage: Into Cranberry Creek.

The breaker water from this colliery is settled fairly well, and the drainage goes into Cranberry Creek. This drainage contains some silt. The silt bank contains 700,000 tons. A culm bank, containing 100,000 tons, is of little value because it has been mixed with ashes.

142. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Honey Brook Colliery.

Location: I/2 mile northwest of Audenreid.

Drainage: Into Catawissa Creek.

The breaker w'ater goes directly into Catawissa Creek without first being settled. Some of it has been run out upon a culm bank. This culm bank contains 400,000 tons of a silt and culm mixture. It is being worked for boiler fuel.

143. Lehigh Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Audenreid Colliery.

Location: mile northwest of Audenreid.

Drainage: Into Catawissa Creek.

The silt-bearing breaker water goes directly into Catawissa Creek and some of it is diverted into an old stripping. One bank, containing 300,000 tons, is a mixture of culm and silt. Another bank, which is old, contains 100,000 tons. An attempt was made to work it but there was too much ash in the mixture.

14*4. Candlemas Collieries Co. Candlemas Colliery.

Location : At New Silver Brook.

Drainage : Into Pine Creek.

The breaker water goes directly into a tributary of Little Schuylkill River. The silt-bearing water goes into an old mine cave. The colliery is new and very little silt is being made. A culm bank containing 100,000 tons is poor. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to work it. This colliery now operated by Haddock Mining Co.

145. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Trcsckow Colliery.

Location: Tresckow.

Drainage: Into Beaver Creek.

This breaker is abandoned. An old culm bank of doubtful value contains 15,000 tons.

146. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Spring Brook Colliery.

Location : Audenreid.

Drainage: Into Catawissa Creek.

This washery has been washing a bank from an old breaker. The bank contains 100,000 tons, and some (parts of it are good.

147. Dodson Coal Co. Beaver Brook Colliery.

Location: Audenreid.

Drainage: Into Catawissa Creek.

The breaker water from this bank drains into Catawissa Creek after it has been fairly well settled. The bank contains 200,000 tons. Many small piles of culm scattered over the breaker ground contain an aggregate of 200,000 tons.

D— 9

Plate Xviii

A. Silt in the valley at Stockton. The road has been raised ten feet.

B. Stream deposit at Beaver Meadows looking up-stream. The silt has a ma.xiinum thickness of 20 feet.

148. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Spring Mountain Colliery.

Location : Jeanesville.

Drainage: Into Beaver Creek.

The water carrying the silt from this breaker goes into Beaver Creek and settles in the valley. An old bank containing 300,000 tons of culm and silt mixture is on the property, A small bank, containing 75,000 tons of culm and silt, is the remnant of the material from an old breaker.

119. Coleraine Coal Co. Washerij.

Location: Coleraine, i/4 west of Beaver Meadows. Drainage: Into Beaver Creek.

This washer is working a pile of rock and colin from old t'oleraine breaker of the old Van Wickle Estate. The contains 209, 000 tons of very poor culm. Old Coleraine colliery is worked oiil. Tlie silt went into Beaver Creek.

150. Evans Colliery Co.

Location: Beaver Meadows.

Drainage: Into Beaver Creek.

The breaker water, after going- over a field, drains into Beaver Creek carrying much silt. 10,000 ton.s of silt is scattered over the fields, and one pile contains 15,000 tons.

151. Coxe Brothers cG Company. Beaver Meadow Colliery.

Location: Beaver Meadows.

Drainage: Into Beaver Creek.

The breaker water is run up on the to]) of a rock pile and then seejis through. The water is not well settled and some silt goes into Beaver Creek. The pile contains 35,000 tons of silt. There is no cuim, but the rock bank contains some good coal.

152. Lehiyh Valley Coal Co. Hazleton No. 1 Colliery.

Location: Southwest corner of Hazleton Boro.

Drainage: Into Cranberry Creek.

The breaker water goes into a settling tank and the silt is out onto a bank. Some silt gets away, but as a rule the settlement is very good. This colliery is reclaiming silt that has been washed into the valley. It averages 10 feet thick and covers a large area. There is approximately 300,000 tons in the valley. In addition to this accumulation there is a silt bank containing 200,000 tons. There is no culm, and the rock bank contains little good coal.

153. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Hazleton Shaft Colliery.

Location: I/4 mile northeast of Hazleton.

Drainage: Into Hazle Creek.

The breaker water from this colliery goes onto the bank and is fairly well settled. This bank contains 250,000 tons. An old culm bank from No. 3 colliery, which is now abandoned, contains 125,000 tons. It is now being loaded for the first time and is an excellent bank.

154. A 100,000 ton accumulation of silt occurs iii the valley just east of Hazleton Shaft. This accumulation is from Old Sugar Loaf and South Sugar Loaf collieries which were working between 1850 and 1898,

Plate Xix

A. Pardee Bros. & Co. Lattimer Breaker. New mechanical equipment for recovering and cleaning the silt is being installed at this breaker.

B. Hazle Brook in AVeatherly. The narrow channel and a fairly rapid fall keep the creek bed clean of silt.

155. Hazle Brook Colliery.

Location: 4 miles east of Hazleton.

Drainage: Into Hazle Creek.

This colliery is worked out and abandoned. This company is now stripping in Porter swamp. There is no cnlm or silt accnmnlation, except in some old strip pits. It is impossible to estimate the quantity.

156. Pardee Brothers d Co. Latiimer Colliery.

Location: Lattimer.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

The breaker water runs back into old Carter basin. It is almost impossible to estimate the quantity of this accumulation because its actual depth is not known. There is probably 500,000 tons in the pile. The culm has been worked over.

157. Pardee Brothers d Co. Lattimer Colliery No. 3.

Location: mile west of Lattimer.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

This breaker is abandoned. There is no culm, but a silt bank contains 100,000 tons.

158. Harleigh Coal Co. Washery.

Location: % mile Avest of Harleigh.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

This washery is working a culm pile from old Harleigh-Brookwood colliery. They are using a Chance separator. The bank contains 100,000 tons of slate and coal mixed.

159. Jeddo-Highland Coal Co. Harleigh Colliery.

Location : Harleigh.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

This breaker has a settling tank and a settling basin. A very small quantity of silt goes into Black Creek. The silt is mixed with rock and used to till up an old stripping. The depth of the stripping is not known, but it may hold 800,000 tons of the mixture.

160. Jeddo Highland Coal Co. No. .) Colliery.

Location: Jeddo.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

The breaker water is fairly well settled at the breaker, but much silt goes into Black Creek. There are 600,000 tons of silt in the bank and in the valley of Black Creek adjacent to it. The culm banks have been worked over. Only the fine sizes remain and these are mixed with silt.

161. Jeddo-Highland Coal Co. No. 5 Colliery.

Location: 1 mile west of Eckley.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

The breaker water is settled in an excellent basin. The drainage goes into Black Creek but there is very little silt. This bank contains 400,000 tons. There is no culm.

Plate Xx

A. Sandy Run nuar Weatln-rly.

B. Scotch Rim near its month. Botli mountain streams are polluted and carry silt.

162. Coxe Brothers tC- Co. Ecklcy Colliery.

Location: Eckley.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

The silt is settled in the valley in the headwaters of Black Creek. Some is washing away. This deposit varies from a few inches to 20 feet thick. It contains 500,000 tons. Ko cnlm belongs to this property, bnt near by an old bank from Eckley No. 5 colliery of the AVentz interests remains intact. It contains 200,000 tons of good material.

163. Coxe Brothers cG Co. Drifton Colliery.

Location: Drifton.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

Formerly the water from this breaker Avent directly into Black Creek. It is now settled. However, some of it goes into the stream. Two banks contain a total of 300,000 tons. The culm bank -has been worked over.

164. Jeddo-Hiyhland Coal Co. No. 2 Colliery.

Location: I/2 mile south of Highland.

Drainage: Into Black Creek.

The silt from this breaker is fairly well settled, but some of it goes into the creek. An acciimulation of 200,000 tons in the creek bottom on the headwaters of Black Creek is being worked for boiler fuel. It is excellent silt. The coal is now being prepared at Highland No. 5.

165. M. S. Kemmerer. Sandy Run Colliery.

Location: Sandy Run.

Drainage: Into Sandy Run.

The silt from this breaker goes into Sandy Run valley. Aluch of it is washed away. There are 250,000 tons in place. There is no culm.

166. Hazle Brook Coal Co. Upper Lehigh Colliery.

Location: Upper Lehigh.

Drainage: Into Pond Creek.

The breaker Avater is Avell settled at this colliery. There is an accumulation of 150,000 tons at the breaker and in the valley of Pond Creek. A culm bank containing 150,000 tons is being loaded and being used by the NeAV Jersey Zinc Company.

167. East Point Coal Company.

Location : Zehner.

Drainage: Into Pond Creek.

This breaker is abandoned. The old silt pile was shipped during the war. A small culm pile containing 5,000 tons is of little value.

Stream Conditions in the Northern Field

The Northeru Antliracite Field extends from a point 2 miles north of Forest City to Sliicksliinny. It is drained by Lackawanna and Snsquelianna rivers and their tributaries. Anthracite is mined practically continuously from one end of the field to the other. The northernmost anthracite mine is that of the Clifford Coal Company 2 miles north of Forest City on the northern outcrop of the coal beds. This colliery is now abandoned and very little silt is now accumulated in the stream between this point and Forest City. The Forest City Colliery of the Pennsylvania Coal Company is at Forest City, and it is here tliat the first silt iDollntion of the stream takes place. Tliis colliery has been working for a great many years and has been discharging more or less silt into the stream. Very little silt is going into the river from this colliery at the present time. From Forest City southwestward Lackawanna River is never entirely free from silt.

The next source of stream pollution is the Clinton Colliery of the Hudson Coal Company. The stream is comparatively clean between Forest City and the mouth of Elk Creek. Elk Creek carries some silt from Richmondale Colliery of the Richmondale Coal Company. Southwest of the month of Elk Creek a considerable quantity of silt has collected in the lowlands of Lackawanna River. Through Carbondale, however, the river is clean. It is kept so by borough officials who during the summer have the fire department wash out the river bed. This keeps the river bed at its normal level and it is not abnormally raised by silt.

Several small streams flow into the Lackawanna in the vicinity of Carbondale, and each of them brings in some silt. No inconvenience is caused by the silt of the Lackawanna in the vicinity of Carbondale and southward to Mayfield. The banks are comparatively high, the river is rapid, and there is very little overflow.

Rush Brook enters the Lackawanna at Jermyn. It carries a small quantity of silt. There is no difficulty with silt acciimulations in the town of Jermyn. Between Jermyn and Carbondale two collieries, Powderly and Jermyn, discharge some silt into the river. From Archbald to Peckville there are a large number of collieries, practically all of which discharge some silt into the Lackawanna. Grassy Island Creek also carries some silt into the river.

The river at Olyphant contains some silt which has been left behind when high water recedes. The same condition is true at Peckville. High water has carried a large quantity of silt into the river and has caused a number of properties to be flooded. All the small streams between Olyphant and Scranton carry some silt into the river. The water is black and deposits of silt are present throughout its entire channel. Its fall is rather rapid, and the main channel is comparatively clean.

At Scranton the South Penn Collieries Company is settling silt out of the Lackawanna and using it for filling. A large settling tank is built around a bore hole, and a low dam across the river diverts part of the sti'eam into the settling tank. This water flows into the tank for 8 hours. It is then diverted from the tank, the bore hole is opened, and the silt which has collected is washed into

the mine. Approximately 300 tons of silt are recovered from the river in 8 hours. The river at this point carries at least 900 tons of silt in 24 hours.

Lackawanna Eiver through the city of Scranton is nothing more than an open sewer'. Private encroachments have narrowed its channel and accumulations of silt have covered a great many sewer cmtlets. The channel of the Lackawanna should be deepened through the city.

A great number of breakers discharge silt into the river between Scranton and Taylor. The water is heavily laden with solids and much deposition has taken place. The side streams between these two points are short, but collieries are located on all of them, and they are black with suspended material. At Taylor the whole stream bed is filled with silt but no danmge is being done. From Taylor to Old Forge the river is rather rapid and cleans its bed. From Old Forge to Pittston the valley of Lackawanna River is comparatively wide and no damage has been done by the accumulation of silt. The water of the Lackawanna is very black where it enters the Susquehanna. Shallows have been built up of silt north of the city of Pittston. The Susqiiehanna carries much more water than the Lackawanna and has been able to keep the channel clear. Southwest of Pittston at Port Griffith a large delta is made in the river by a stream which carries the silt from Ewen Colliery of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Between Pittston and Wilkes-Bai're the valley of the Susquehanna is wide. The banks of the river are black with sticky mud which is not more than 12 inches thick. When freshlets come this mud is washed down the river so that there is little accumulation of silt between these two points. A great number of collieries are located on Susquehanna River or its tributaries between Pittston and Shickshinny. Large quantities of silt are deposited in the river each year but spring freshets keep its channel clear. Some silt deposits are notable. A very large delta is formed at the mouth of Newport Creek at Nanticoke. Mill Creek, which drains Parsons, Miners Mills, and Plains carries a large quantity of silt. Mill Creek often floods and the water spreads over Hollenbeck Park. This creek does not cause any trouble between this point and the river because its banks are high.

Abraham Creek flows into the Susquehanna at Wyoming. Because it carries a large quantity of silt and has caused the borough of Wyoming some difficulty, it has been dredged out at various times. Toby Creek enters the Susquehanna at Kingston and carries into it large quantities of silt. The creek has a rapid fall and very little deposition has taken place along its banks. A small creek entering the Susquehanna between Larksville and Plymouth carries a large quantity of silt and has built up a delta into the Susquehanna.

Buttonwood Creek flows into the Susquehanna just south of Plymouth and drains a large territory south of Wilkes-Barre. It carries a large quantity of silt, it has a large flood plain, travels through territory of very little value, and causes no damage. One of its branches, Solomans Creek, often overflows and causes damage in south Wilkes-Barre. This tributary is dredged wdien the silt accumulates to a dangerous point.

Warrior Creek drains into the Susquehanna 1 mile southwest of Butzbach. This stream carries breaker water from a number of collieries and its hood plain is covered with layers of silt. It has flooded some fields and caused much damage. The silt in these fields is from a few inches to a foot and a half thick. Nanticoke Creek flows into Newport Creek at Nanticoke. This creek drains all of the territory between Moyer Eun and Nanticoke. It carries much silt but has done very little damage. Below Warrior Eun the creek crosses the middle road to Wilkes-Barre and at this point has deposited some silt. The stream is building up new banks and the silt is held in place by the vegetation growing in the shallow water. At Loomis Colliery the fields are covered with silt to a considerable depth. This is an extremely large accumulation of free silt. Where Nanticoke Creek passes under the river road between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke the .stream conditions are bad. A flume has been built through the silt deposits to carry the water away.

Newport Creek flows into the Susquehanna at Nanticoke. It carries a very large quantity of silt. The branch which flows through the town of Wanamie carries more silt than that coming from Glen Lyon. The banks of Newport Creek are covered Avith silt accumulations and the bed has been built up several feet. When the water is high it spreads over a large territory and deposits much silt, especially between Nanticoke and its mouth.

From Nanticoke to Shickshinny there are no streams carrying silt into the river. Some silt is being discharged into the river at Moconaqua and a delta is built up. This delta is Avashed aAvay at times of high Avater.

The North Branch of the Susquehanna is black until it reaches Sunbury. Here it is diluted Avith the Avaters of the West Branch. Cbal dredging operations are located at various points betAveen Plymouth and the Maryland line. The damage from silt from the anthracite region is negligible.

In general the deposition of silt in the rivers of the Northern Anthracite Fields has caused very little damage. Local conditions can be remedied readily by borough or county officials. The coal companies in this field liaAe been making some attempt to keep much of the .solid material out of the streams. The discharge of mine and breaker Avater into the river has a beneficial effect in cleansing the stream of scAAmge accumulation. Much improvement has been made in settling the silt in the Northern Field in the past few years.

Silt and Culm Conditions at Collieries in the Northern Field 168. Stackhouse Coal Companij. Salem Colliery.

Location; Mocanaqua.

Drainage; Into Susquehanna Elver.

The silt from this colliery is accumulated in the valley in a good settling basin Avhich contains 200,000 tons. There is no culm bank. The rock bank is no good.

169. Went End Coal Co. Mocanaqua CoUicry.

Location : Mocanaqua.

Drainage; Into Susquehanna Kiver.

This colliery partially settles its silt. A fairly good contains between' 50,000 and 75,000 tons. Some of the breaker water goes into the river.

170. Susquehanna CoUierics Co. Glen Lyon Xo. 6 Colliery.

Location : Glen Lyon.

Drainage: Into Greek.

The breaker water is not settled, and much silt into Newport Creek. Some silt has been used inside the mine. The culm bank was being worked during tlie summer of 19l25. The bauK contained 1,300,000 cubic yards, A])ril, 1925, or 900,- 000 tons of material, of which 19 per cent is refuse.

171. Lehigh d- Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Wanamle Colliery.

Location: Wanamie.

Drainage: Into Newport Creek.

The breaker water goes into the mines for slushing. Some goes into the river. The breaker has settling tanks.

A culm bank contains 250,000 tons, and has not been worked.

172. East Alden Mining Company. East Alden (t oilier y.

Location : 1 mile southeast of Alden.

Drainage: Into Newport Creek.

A well-kept silt bank settles the water from this breaker. It contains 15,000 tons. There is no culm, and the rock bank has very little good coal in it.

173. Alden Coal Company. Alden Colliery.

Location; Alden Station.

Drainage: Into Newport Creek.

A silt bank was built up at this location from an old washery. It covers 4 acres, and contains 150,000 tons. At the new breaker the water goes directly into the stream. Some Hushing has been done but this has been discontinued. The old part of the rock pile contains some good coal. The culm originated from an old dry breaker. There is less than 60,000 tons of this material.

174. Susquehanna Collieries Company. Xantlcoke No. 7 Colliery.

Location: Nanticoke.

Drainage: Into Newport Creek.

The culm pile contains 30,000 tons of recoverable coal. It is being worked and washed a Chance separator. The breaker water is run out onto a 35,000 ton silt bank. The tine sizes from the culm banks are treated in a jig washery. Current silt from breaker and washery and from Glen Lyon is used in the power plant.

Plate Xxi

A. Shisb-burning boiler plant, Snsquebaiina No. 7 Colliery, Nanticoke. Tins company is tbe leader in utilizing waste material.

B. Settling tank and scraper line for desliming silt for power plant fuel at Susquehanna No. 7 Colliery, Nanticoke.

175. Grand Tunnel Coal Company. West Nanticoke Colliery,

Location: West Nanticoke.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna Eiver.

All the coal from this colliery is shipped to another breaker for preparation. The culm bank has been worked over. Approximately 60,000 tons is all that remains of an old silt bank.

17G. Geo. F. Lee Coal Company. Chauncey Colliery.

Location : Plymouth.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The Avater from this breaker is Avell settled in a good silt baidv wdiich contains 40,000 tons. The culm bank contains 50,000 tons, is good, and is being put through the breaker.

177. Glen Alden Coal Company. Avomlale Colliery.

Location: Avondale.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The silt bank at this colliery is well built Ujp and the water well settled. The bank contains 200,000 tons. An old culm is nowbeing worked. It Avas a quite large bank. An estimate Avas not obtained of the quantity Avhich it contained.

178. Glen Alden Coal Company. Auchincloss Colliery.

Location: East end of Nanticoke.

Drainage: Into Nanticoke Creek.

The coal goes to Loomis for preparation. A large old culm bank on the property has never been Avorked, and appears to be good. There is also a fair-sized silt bank on the property. It probably contains 200,000 tons. An old culm bank contains approximately .'>00,000 tons.

179. Glen Alden Coal Company. Bliss Colliery.

Location; IV2 miles south of Nanticoke.

Drainage: Into Nanticoke Creek.

There is a large accumulation of silt at this colliery Avhich is built up very well. The bank probably contains 250,000 tons. An old original culm pile has never been Avorked. contains ap])roximately 500,000 tons and looks very good.

180. Gleii Alden Coal Comjmny. Truesdale Colliery.

Location: Warrior Run.

Drainage; Into Warrior Run.

The water from this breaker is fairly well settled. The silt bank contains 200,000 tons. A large, old culm bank has neA'er been worked. It probably contains 500,000 tons. Much of it is good coal.

Plate Xxii

A. Reclaiming silt and culm hydraulically at No. 7 Colliery, Susquehanna Collieries Co., Nanticoke.

1'81. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Warrior Run Colliery.

Location : Warrior Enn.

Drainage; Into Snsqnelianna River.

The coal from this colliery is being prepared at Prospect breaker. There is no silt bank. The culm bank, which is small and nearly exhausted, is loaded into railroad cars and sold when the market permits.

182. Glen Alden Coal Company. Loomis Colliery.

Location: miles northeast of Xanticoke.

Drainage: Into Warrior Run.

The silt bank at this colliery is well built up, but could not be measured becau.se entrance to the property was refii.sed. This bank probably contains 200,000 tons. A culm pile contains 300,000 tons of fairly good material.

183. Pittsion Coal Mining Company. Hadley Colliery.

Location: Sugar Xotch.

Drainage: Into Warrior Run.

The water from this breaker is well settled. The silt bank contains'250,000 tons. The culm bank has been worked over but still contains some good coal.

184. Lehigh d- Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. Bugar Notch No. 9.

Location; Sugar Notch.

Drainage: Into Warrior Run.

All the slush from this breaker is used inside the mine. An old culm bank has been worked over and the remaining material is of little value,

185. Lehigh Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Buttonicood No. 22 Colliery.

Location : Butzbach.

Drainage: Into Bnttonwood Creek.

The water from this breaker spreads out over a large silt bank which is well dammied up. It contains from 150,000 to 200,000 tons. The culm bank has been worked over. The rock pile contains no good coal.

186. Lehigh d Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Maxircll Colliery.

Location; Ashley.

Drainage: Into Buttonwood Creek.

All the breaker w'ater is used inside for flushing. There is no silt bank. Very little coal goes into the stream from' this breaker. The culm pile has been worked over and contains no good coal.

Plate Xxiii

A. Cliauncey breaker, George P. Lee Coal Co. One of the first breakers to install the Chance cone.

E. Silt bank at Cliauncey Colliery showing iiipe line delivering silt and water from breaker.

187. Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Franklin Colliery.

Location : Ashley.

Drainage: Into Buttonwood Creek.

All the water from this breaker goes back inside the mine. There is no silt accumulation on the surface. An old culm bank has been worked over and has no value. The rock pile contains no good coal.

188. Lehigh c£- Wilkes Barre Coal Co. Stanton No. 7 Colliery.

Location: Wilkes-Barre.

Drainage: Into Buttonwood Creek.

Most of the breaker water and silt from this colliery goes back into the mine. Some goes into the creek. An old culm and silt bank contains 150,000 tons of material. The rock bank contains very little good coal.

189. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. South Wilkes-Barre No. 5

Colliery.

Location : Wilkes Barre.

Drainage: Into Buttonwood Creek.

There is no silt accnmnlatiou at this colliery. All the breaker water is flushed back into the mines. There is no rock or culm bank. All waste material is kept inside the mines.

190. Plymouth Red Ash Coal Co.

Location: Plymouth.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

This is a dry breaker and there is no silt discharge. The rock is stacked and contains very little good coal. There is no culm bank.

191. Lehigh Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Nottingham Colliery.

Location : Plymouth Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

All silt from this breaker goes back into the mines excejit when the pipes are clogged and then it goes directly into the river. There is no provision for .settling on the surface. A culm bank, which contains 5,000 tons, is a remnant of a large old bank,

192. Plymouth Coal Co.

Location; Plymouth.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

This breaker is now abandoned. An old silt bank contains 5,000 tons. A culm bank, containing 10,000 tons, has been worked, but the steam sizes remain.

193. Lehigh tf- Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Lance No. 11 Colliery.

Location : Larksville Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

There is no silt bank at this colliery. A large part of the water is used for silting inside. The culm bank contains 1,000,000 tons. It has been worked only a little. It is a fair bank. Silt is run over it when the silting pipes are clogged. There is no settling basin.

D— 10

194. Lehigh tC- Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Hollenhack Colliery.

Location : Wilkes-Barre.

Drainage : Into Snsqnehanna Elver.

All surface refuse is now ground up and put back into the mines. The breaker water goes into the mine. There is no silt bank. A cnlm pile contains 100,000 tons of fair material. The rock pile contains some good coal.

195. Snlliratr tf Flynn Coal Co.

Location : Wilkes-Bai-re.

Drainage: Into Suscjuehanna Eiver.

The breaker water goes back into the mines. There is no silt. A cnlm bank contains 50,000 tons. The rock pile contains no good coal.

196. Hudson Coal Baltimore No. 5 Colliery.

Location: 1/2 mile east of Wilkes-Barre.

Drainage: Into Laurel Eun.

Some breaker water is used inside the mine but most of it goes onto a good bank containing 150,000 tons. A good culm bank containing 200,000 tons of material has not been worked.

197. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Drjrrance Colliery.

Location : Wilkes-Barre.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna Eiver.

The silt from this breaker goes back into the mine. There is no surface accumulation. All of the old culm bank has been shipped.

198. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Mineral springs Colliery.

Location: Parsons Boro.

Drainage: Into Laurel Eun.

The silt goes back into the mine. Not much is wasted. All the solid waste is run through a pulverizer and hushed back in the mines. A culm bank, containing 200,000 tons, is good. It has never been worked except for boiler fuel during strikes.

199. Hudson Coal Co. Pine Ridge Colliery.

Location: Miners Mills Boro.

Drainage: Into Laurel Eun.

The water from this breaker goes back into the mine where the silt is settled out. The culm bank has been worked out. A bank on Laurel Eun which belongs to thi.s property contains 250,000 tons. It is a very fine bank.

Plate Xxiv

II. Ilutler breaker and wasbery, I'lMinsylvania Coal Co. (under construction). A modern colliery, desis'iied to recover all sizes of coal.

200. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Prospect Colliery.

Location : AVilkcs-BaiTe.

Drainage: Into Sn.'sqnehanna Kiver.

The silt is now heing ]mt info tlie mine. A colin and silt bank, containing 500,000 tons, is in good condition. This bank is old.

201. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Henry Clay Colliery.

Location: AVilkes-Barre.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

This colliery is a part of Prosjiect colliery, and is described under that name.

202. Conlon Coal Co.

Location : Hudson Boro.

Drainage; Into Mill Creek.

The water from this breaker is being used to flush into the mines. Very little goes into the creek. There is no culm pile, and the rock bank contains no good coal.

203. Central Coal Co. Wyoming Colliery.

Location: Plains Township.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The breaker water is not settled at this colliery. It goes directly into the creek. There are no culm or silt accumulations.

204. Colonial Colliery Co. Madeira Colliery.

Location : Hudson.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The silt from this breaker is iised for flushing inside. Very little goes into the stream. The culm pile has been loaded out. The rock bank is large but contains very little good coal.

205. Hudson Coal Co. Lapin Colliery.

Location ; Lailin.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The silt is settled at this colliery but some of it goes into the creek. An estimate of tonnage was not obtainable. Formerly all slush and waste water was flushed into the mines.

206. Traders Coal Co. Ridgeioood Colliery.

Location: 12 miles southeast of Inkerman.

Drainage: Into Mill Creek.

The breaker water is settled on a silt bank which contains 30,000 tons. The silt bank is in good condition. A mixed rock and culm bank is partly burned. It contains 200,000 tons. Some of it has been loaded but it is poor material.

207. Hudson Coal Co. Loree No. 5 Colliery.

Location: Larksville Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna Kiver.

The breaker water goes into the river taking the fine-sized coal with it. A culm bank, containing 50,000 tons, has been partially worked. The rock pile contains no good coal.

208. Kingston Coal Co. Gaglord Colliery.

Location: mile nortli of Plymouth.

Drainage: Into Snsqnelianua River.

Settling tanks at this colliery remove tlie silt from the waste water. The silt is used inside the mine. No rock is brought to the surface. A culm pile contains 10,000 tons.

209. Kingston Coal Co. Kingston No. 2 Colliery.

Location : Edwardsville Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

All waste products of this breaker were flushed inside the mines.

210. Glen Aldcn Coal Co. Woodward Colliery.

Location: Edwardsville Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

Part of the wash water goes back into the mines; some goes into the river. The rock is ernshed and used inside. There is no silt bank. A culm pile, containing 50,000 tons, has been worked intermittently.

211. Kingston Coal Co. Kingston No. 4 Colliery.

Location: Edwardsville Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

There is no silt bank at this colliery. Alt the silt from the breaker and the washery connected with it is sent back into the mines. The rock is ernshed and goes back into the mines also. The culm baid has been worked over, but approximately 100,000 tons of tine-sized materials are left.

212. Glen Alden Coal Co. Pettehone Shafl.

Location: Kingston.

Drainage : Into Toby Creek.

The water from this breaker is settled fairly well before it goes into the creek. Some of it is used for flushing. Thei'c are 00,000 tons of cidm in a good settling basin. An old culm bank has almost all been loaded out.

213. East Boston Coal Co.

Location : Pringle Boro.

Drainage: Into Toby Creek.

A concrete reservoir for settling the breaker water was installed in 1 925. The silt is to be used inside the mine. It formerly went into a field and then into the creek. There are two culm banks ; one contains 200,000 tons, and has never been worked, except for boiler fuel. The other bank is put through the breaker. It contains 500,000 tons, and is also a good bank.

211. Haddock Mining Co. Black Diamond Colliery.

Location : Luzerne Boro.

Drainage : Into Toby Creek.

All of the breaker water is used for Hushing inside. The rock bank contains very little good coal. The culm bank has been loaded out.

215. Rand) Coal Co.

Location : Luzerne Boro.

Drainage: Into Toby Creek.

The silt from tliis colliery is ])ut back inside. None goes into the stream. The culm bank has been used, and the rock pile contains only a small percentage of good coal.

216. Temple Coal Co. Harry E. Colliery.

Location: SAvoyersville Boro.

Drainage: Into Toby Creek.

The breaker Avater is Avell settled at this colliery, and the bank contains 250, 000 tons. The AAmste Avater going to the river carries some tine solids. The culm pile has been Avorked over, A large rock bank contains very little good coal.

217. Temple Coal Co. Forty Fort Colliery.

Location : SAvoyersville Boro.

Drainage: Into Abraham Creek.

The silt from this colliery spreads out into a SAvamp and some of it eventually reaches the river. This SAvamj) contains a])proximately 200.000 tons of silt. The colin jdle has been Avorlied over and only some tine-sized material remains, and that is of poor quality. The coal is noAV being prepared at Harry "E" Colliery.

218. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Malthy Colliery.

Location : SAvoyersville Boro.

Drainage: Into Abraham Creek.

Some slushing is being done at this colliery, but the greater part of the breaker Avater is Avell settled in a basin Avhich contains 50, 000 tons; 150,000 tons of silt are scattered over the breaker location. The culm banks have been Avorked OA'er Avith the exception of a small area beloAV Maltby breaker. Approximately 50,000 tons remain.

219. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Westmoreland Colliery.

Location : West Wyoming.

Drainage: Into Abraham Creek.

All slush goes into the river. There is no settling area. None of the silt is used inside. The culm bank is very small. The rock bank is on lire,

220. Healey Coal Co. Troy Colliery.

Location: West Wyoming.

Drainage: Into Abraham Creek.

The silt is spread ont into an adjoining field and no estimate was made of the quantity. The water rnns right through tlie silt into the creek. The cnlm bank has been practically worked over. 100.000 tons of poor material remain.

221. Temple Coal Co. Mt. Lookout Colliery.

Location: Exeter Doro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The breaker water is spread ont over a swamp and 300,000 tons of silt is deposited there. Some of it finds its way to the. river. This silt would be very hard to recover. There is no cnlm. The rock pile is on fire and there is very little good coal in it.

222. Harris-Dcnly Coal Co. Kinfz Colliery.

Location: West Pittston.

Drainage: Into Abraham Creek.

This breaker has a good settling basin which contains 50,000 tons of silt. Not much of it is used inside. This breaker started in 1910 and has no culm.

223. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Exeter Colliery.

Location: Exeter Boro.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The silt is fairly well settled on a large pile containing 200,000 tons. Some goes into the stream. The rock pile is no good and the culm has all been removed.

221. Pennsylvania Coal Co. No. 14 Colliery.

Location: miles northeast of Plainsville.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream without settling. The culm banks have been worked over, but Frank Benjamin is loading some of them. Some silt, probably 150,000 tons, is scattered over the breaker property.

225. Pennsylvama Coal Co- Inkerman No. 6.

Location: Inkerman.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

The silt from this colliery is well settled. The bank contains 300,000 tons. Some wash from this bank goes into tlie river. The culm pile has been worked over three or four times, and that remaining has no value.

Plate Xxv

A. Ravines in old bank at No. 6 Colliery, Pennsylvania Coal Company. Erosion works havoc on old nnprotectcd banks.

B. Steam shovel in position to load silt at Edgerton Colliery, Temple Coal Co.

226. Coal Co. Ewen CoUievy.

Location : Port Griffith.

Drainage: Into Susqnelianna Kiver.

This colliery was inaccessible when visited because of a strike. The breaker water goes into the river.

227. Hillside Coal tC- Iron Co. Butler Colliery.

Location : In Pittstown Township near Dupont.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna Kiver.

The silt from this colliery is well settled. The bank contains 400,000 tons. Some of this bank is washing away during periods

of heavy rains and floods. The culm bank containing 100,000 tons is now being Avorked by leasing companies. Most of the silt is now flushed into the mine and all of it will be after breaker construction is completed.

228. Pennsylvania Coal Co. No. 9 Colliery.

Location : 1 mile northeast of Pittston.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

229. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Seneca Colliery.

Location: Pittston.

Drainage: Into Susquehanna River.

This colliery is trying to save the silt. A good, large silt bank containing 200,000 tons is well dammed up. The culm bank has been worked over. The old Phoenix bank is gone and the Columbia bank is being worked.

230. Glen Alden Coal Co. Hallstead Colliery.

Location: Duryea.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

There is no silt bank at this colliery. The water goes directly into the river. An old culm bank has been burned. Some of it is being carted to Diamond washery. A culm bank contains approximately 200,000 tons of material. Formerly the waste water from the breaker drained directly to Lackawanna River, but the washery slush was pumped to a bank.

231. Suffolk Anthracite Collieries Co. Avoca Colliery.

Location : Avoca.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

There is no silt accumulation at this breaker. The water goes directly into the river. Some flushing is done down a bore hole. There is no culm and the rock pile contains no good coal.

232. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. Eeidelherg Colliery.

Location : Avoca.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The breaker water from this colliery is well dammed up and the silt bank contains 250,000 tons. The water is well spread over the bank before it seeps through the edges. The culm bank has been worked over.

233. T. F. Quinn Coal Co. Consolidated Colliery.

Location : Avoca.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt bank is well banked up and contains 200,000 tons. The culm bank has been worked over and no good coal remains. The bank belongs to Scranton Electric Company.

234. Pennsylvania Coal Co. Central Colliery.

Location: 1 mile sonlli of Old Forge.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

There is no silt bank at this colliery. The water goes directly into the river. The cnlm bank is worked over and contains no good coal. Formerly the silt was tlnshed into the mine throngh a bore hole.

235. Powell-Jennings Coal Co. Rocky Glen Colliery.

Location : Rocky Glen Park, 1 mile sontheast of Moosic. Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The drainage from this colliery goes direct to Lackawanna River witbont settling. The rock pile contains some good coal. There is no cnlm pile.

236. Pennsylvania Coal Co. GUI Forge Colliery.

Location : At Old Forge.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The breaker water is not settled. It goes directly into the river. The old cnlm bank has been washed and no coal remains. Formerly all the waste water was used for flushing inside the mine.

237. Jerniyn c6 Company. Jermyn Colliery.

Location : Old Forge.

Drainage: Into Ascension Brook.

The breaker water goes directly into Ascension Brook. There is no silt bank. The cnlm bank has been worked over and the refuse contains no good coal. The rock pile is also barren of coal.

238. Dennington Washery.

Location : Old Forge.

Drainage: Into Ascension Brook.

This washery is working over the old Sibley dump. It contains 100,000 tons. A large quantity of good coal is being obtained. The wash water goes directly into Ascension Brook.

239. Scranton Anthracite Coal Co. Oak Hill Colliery.

Location: Minooka.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The water is fairly well settled in a basin. Some silt goes into the river. The rock pile contains no good coal. There is no culm bank.

240. Glen Alden Coal Co. Taylor Breaker.

Location: Taylor.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

There are no facilities for settling the breaker water at this breaker. It goes directly into the stream. The culm bank has been worked over and the refuse contains very little coal. There is no coal in the rock pile.

211. Hudson Coal Co. Crecnicood Collier }j.

Location ; Minooka.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver.

The water is settled on a hank, and some goes into (he Lackawanna. A colin hank on this projerty is large, hut no estimate of its tonnage could be made. The silt was formerly sent to Marvine for preparation.

212. IT', r. Moffat Coal Co. Carleton ColUery.

Location: 1 mile east of iMinooka.

Drainage: Into Stafford Meadow Drook.

The water from this colliery seeps tlirough ohl working>'s into the Lackawmnna. Some silt is dischai-ged. There is no for recovemig silt. There is no culm, and (he rock pile contains no good coal.

213. Black Diamond Mashcry.

Location: 1 mile east of Taylor.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver. '

Working- old Diamond culm jiile, wliicli contains 50,000 tons. The silt IS settled fairly well in a pond containing 20,000 tons.

211. John GihJjons Coal Co. Gibbons Colliery.

Location: At south Scranton city line. Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver.

Ihis is a stripjiing operation, coal. There is no culm hank, hank. Some goes into the river.

The rock ]dle contains some good The silt is fairly w'ell .settled on a

215. Glen Aldcn Coal Co. Pine Colliery Xo. 7.

Location : Taylor.

Drainage: Into Ascension Krook.

I he water from this hceaker goes down the creek IS made to settle it and there is no silt hank. An old' culm been wmrked over and now' contains no good coal.

attempt pile has

21G. Glen Alden Coal Co. Arehbald Colliery.

Location: Taylor.

Drainage: Into A.ascension Krook.

Th.e breaker water a hank. Some silt j;, tons of silt in the basin The rock hank contains the future.

is settled in a tank, and the silt scraped onto oes into the river. There is at least old culm pile has been w'orked over, good coal and may he workable in

The

some

247. Glen Alden Coal Co. Continental Colliery.

Location ; 1 mile novtli of Hyde Park.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver.

This mine is on tire. A culm bank has been formed by loading out the partly burned coal. No estimate of the tonnage was made. Formerly this breaker was dry and there was no drainage to Keyser Creek nor was any mine water pumped out of the workings.

248. Glen Alden Coal Co. Baker Colliery.

Location: Hyde Park.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Eiver.

The silt from this breaker is settled. The silt bank contains approximately 300,000 tons. The culm pile has been worked over. The rock pile contains 2 to 3 per cent of good coal.

249. Peoples Coal Co. Oxford Breaker.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The breaker water is not settled, and goes directly into the river. The culm pile has been Avorked over and contains very little good coal. The rock bank contains no good coal.

250. Glen Alden Coal Co. Hyde Park Colliery.

Location : Hyde Park.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This breaker has a settling tank. Some silt goes into the river when the tank overflows. The silt is mixed with barley coal and is used in the boiler plant. There is no culm on the property.

251. Scranton Coal Co. Capouse Colliery.

Location: 12 miles north of central Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The coal is prepared at Dickson City. A pile of silt and culm containing approximately 70,000 tons has been worked over once but another attempt is being made to work it. Some of this material is being washed into streams diuung floods.

252. Glen Alden Coal Co. Diamond Colliery.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

At this colliery the bx'eaker water is settled in a settling pool. The writer was not allowed access to the property and no estimate could be made of the quantity of silt there. A large culm bank has been worked but still contains some good coal. The rock pile contains no good coal.

A washery is taking culm from the culm pile of Diamond Colliery. They have a fairly well built up settling area which contains 50,000 tons of silt.

253. LacTcawanna Fuel Co. Ransome Colliery.

Location ; 2 miles northwest of Hyde Park.

Drainage: Into iLackawanna River.

No culm or silt is accumulated at this locality.

254. Mid City Coal Co.

Location: In Scranton between Hyde Park and Providence. Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

No cnlm or silt deposit. All loaded out for lack of storage space.

255. South Penn Collieries Co. Yon Storch Colliery.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The wash water from this colliery goes directly into the creek and the fine sizes are wasted. Some of the silt is nsed for inside flushing. The culm pile is small and partially worked. 25,000 tons of unworked material remain. The rock pile contains no good coal.

256. Providence Coal Co.

Location : Providence.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This colliery gets its coal from Brisbin culm banks. No provision is made for settling the wash water and all the fine sizes go into the creek.

257. Scranton Coal Co. West Ridge Colliery.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This colliery has no surface rights and the refuse is hauled away.

258. Legitts Creek Anthracite Co. Legitts Creek Colliery,

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt from this colliery has been used for flushing. Some of it goes into the river. The cnlm pile has been worked over. The rock (pile is large but there is no good coal in it.

259. Hudson Coal Co. Marvine Colliery.

Location : In the noxTheast end of Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This breaker is using a Dorr thickener for its wash water. The drainage water goes into Lackawanna River, and at times it looks very black. The rock pile has no good coal in it. There is no gulm which is accessible.

2G0. Coal Co. Richmond No. 3 CoUierij.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

The breaker at this colliery has been lorn down. There is no snr- I'ace accmnlation exce[)t a small rock jdle which contains no good coal.

Hudson Coal Co. Manville Collierij.

Location : Scranton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

The coal from this shaft is now taken to Marvine colliery and the breaker has been torn dowm. The old cnlm and silt bank has been worked over and the remains of it have little value.

2G2. Crccn Ridge Coal Co. Green Ridge Slope.

Location: in central Scranton. .

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

This breaker has been and tlie old dump is being used by the Scranton Light and Power Company. It is practically all used.

Scranton Coal Co. 3It. Pleasant Colliery.

Location : Scran

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

This is a dry Evei-thing is shipjted. Loose silt goes back into the mines. Tlie rock is walled up inside the mine. The cnlm pile has partially worked over. 50,000 tons remain.

201. Scranton Coal Co. Pine Brook CoUierg.

Location : Sci'anton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

All the breaker water is used for inside flushing. An old culm has been ])artly worked and ])artly burned. About 35,000 tons remain and it contains much good coal.

205. Roaring Brook Coal Co. Roaring Brook Colliery.

Location: South end of Duiimore Loro.

Drainage: Into Loaring Brook.

No coal is prepared here now. There is no silt or culm.

200. Rcichter Coal Co.

Location : South of Duumore Boro.

Drainage: Into Loaring Brook. '

No attempt is being made to settle the silt from this small colliery. There is no culm and the rock dump contains no good coal.

267. Pennsylvania Coal Co. Pennsylvania Xo. 5 Colliery.

Lbcatioii : Dunmore.

Drainage: Into Eoaring Brook.

There is no accnniulation of silt on the outside. Tlie culm has been worked over and the rock pile contains no good coal.

268. Carney tC- Brown Coal Co.

Location ; Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Boaring Brook.

This breaker is dry, and the Scranton Electric Company buys uj) all the small size coal, silt included. There is no culm bank and the rock pile contain.s a very small percentage of coal.

269. Pennsylvania Coal Co. Pennsylvania No. 1 Colliery.

Location: Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver.

Some of the silt from this breaker is used inside the mine. The remainder is drained out onto a bank which contains 250, ()()() tons. Some of the silt goes into the river. The culm bank was used during the war.

270. Meadowside Coal Co.

Location: Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Boariug Brook.

This is a dry breaker. There is no silt or culm accumulation. The Scranton Electric Company buys all the small sizes. The rock pile is no good ; even bone is ground up and sold.

271. Spencer Coal Co. Spencer Colliery.

Location : Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Boaring Brook.

The silt from this breaker is well settled on a bank which ('ontains 150,000 tons. A culm bank containing 100,000 tons looks good, and a small cut has been made in it.

272. Nay Aug Coal Mining Co.

Location : Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Boai-ing Brook.

The water from this breaker is well settled on a bank. It contains from 75,000 to 100,000 tons. There is no culm bank, and the rock pile contains very little good coal.

273. Pennsylvania Coal Co. Underwood Colliery.

Location: 2 miles northeast of Dunmore Boro.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Biver.

The slush from this breaker is filling in a big swamp which prob ably contains 300,000 tons. There is no culm and the rock bank contains 2 to 3 (per cent coal.

274. Price Pancoast. Pancoast Colliery

Location: Throop.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

No culm or silt deposit at this colliery.

275. Olen Alden Coal Co. Storrs Colliery.

Location : Dickson City.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt from this breaker was used by the Scranton Anthracite Briquet Co., which has ceased operating. Probably 100,000 tons of silt remain. All the water goes directly inside for flushing but is still black when it is pumped into the river.

276. Scranton Coal Co. Johnson Colliery.

Location : Dickson City.

Drainage : Into Lackawanna River.

The silt from this breaker is being used for flushing. The water is pumped out again into the river. A small culm pile is being used for boiler fuel. The rock pile probably contains 2 to 3 per cent coal.

277. Hudson Coal Co. Eddy Creek Colliery.

Location : Olyphant.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

No coal is being prepared at this breaker,. The water formerly went into Lackawanna River and no attempt was made to settle it. An old culm bank, partly burned, has been partly worked. A large quantity remains, probably 300,000 tons.

278. Hudson Coal Co. Olyphant Colliery.

Location : Olyphant.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The wash water is used for flushing inside the mines. When it is not needed some of it goes into the river. There is no culm pile, and the rock bank contains only 2 to 3 per cent of coal.

279. Lackawanna Collieries Co. Lackawanna Colliery.

Location : Peckville.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This is a dry breaker and the coal is washed in railroad cars. All the silt goes directly into Lackawanna River. There are 4.50,000 tons of culm. Much of it is burned over and mixed Avith ashes.

280. Scranton Coal Co. Ontario Colliery.

Location : Peckville.

Drainage Into Millers Creek.

The silt from this breaker is well stored. There are 150,000 tons of good material in the bank. A 200,000 ton bank of fine coal mixed

with rock is leaser! to the Barton Coal Co. The waste water carries some coal into the creek and the bank rnn-off water is not well clarified.

281. Scrmiton Coal Co. Raymond Colliery.

Location : Peckville.

Dramage: Into Lackawanna River.

Coal from Raymond colliery is being shipped run-of-mine to Ontario breaker. The small culm and silt accumulations are combined with Rhondda Colliery.

282. Radiant Coal Co. Rhondda Colliery.

Location: I mile northwest of Winton.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt at this colliery is fairly well settled. A large bank is gradually being built up and contains approximately 150,000 tons. It is being worked intermittently. The culm bank, which contains 200,000 tons, was being worked in 1925.

283. Scranton Coal Co. Riverside Colliery.

Location: 1 mile southwest of Archbald.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt is being partly recovered at this colliery and 30,000 tons have accumulated. There is no culm pile and the rock bank contains no good coal.

284. Humbert Coal Co. Sunnyside Colliery.

Location: 2 miles east of Sterrick Creek Colliery, and ll

miles east of Jessup.

Drainage: Into Grassy Island Creek.

The slush from this breaker is being accumulated in a small wellbuilt-up bank, but settlement is not very effective and a considerable quantity of fine silt is carried into the stream. A small culm pile, containing 50,000 tons, looks good, and is not being worked.

285. Temple Coal Co. Sterrick Creek Colliery.

Location: Jessup.

Drainage: Into Grassy Island Creek.

No silt is being accumulated at this colliery. The water goes directly into the stream or is used undergrotiud. The mdin bank is on fire and it is impossible to estimate its tonnage.

286. 3It. Jessup Coal Co. 3It. Jessup Colliery.

Location: Jessup.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This colliery uses all the silt inside. There is no culm.

D— 11

f

Plate Xxvii

A. New bank at Simnysicle Colliery. An ideal .settling bank. Note boards in position as retainers.

B. Sunnyside Colliery, Humbert Coal Co. Now silt bank. The hole in the lower left corner is where a sample was taken.

287. Winton Goal Co. Winton Colliery.

Location: Jessup.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Eiver.

The water from this collier'y goes directly into Lackawanna Eiver, and there is no silt accumulation. The culm bank has been partly worked and 200,000 tons remain.

288. Suffolk Anthracite Collieries Co. Rose Washery.

Location: Jessup.

Drainage: Into Grassy Island Creek.

This washery prepares coal for other companies. The silt is not collected. This property has a culm bank containing 150,000 tons.

289. Hudson Coal Co. Gravity Slope Colliery.

Location: mile south of Arclibald.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The silt is being settled on a bank but some of the water goes into the river before it is thoroughly settled. This bank contains 150,000 tons. A washery is connected with the colliery and all fines are recovered. A very rich culm pile containing 175,000 tons is not being worked, although thousands of tons have been shipped from it. The culm came from the old dry breaker from coal which was mined many years ago.

290. Suffolk Anthracite Collieries Co. Tappan Colliery.

Location: 12 miles northeast of Archbald.

Drainage: Into White Oak Run.

There is no silt or culm at this breaker. The water goes directly into the stream. The rock pile contains no good coal. Formerly slush and waste water were flushed to a bank surrounded by rock. This bank drained back into the mine.

291. Hudson Coal Co. Jermyn Colliery.

Location: Jermyn.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This breaker is not being used. Formerly the silt was flushed into the mines. A washery was operated at this colliery and prepared thousands of tons of culm for the market. Approximately 200,000 tons of culm are left. A silt bank containing at least 200,000 tons is still intact.

292. Ammerman Coal Co. Fireside Colliery.

Location: 1 mile northwest of Jermyn.

Drainage: Into Rush Brook.

The coal is shipped run-of-mine, and no silt is being produced. The rock pile accumulated when the breaker was running contains no good coal. There is no culm.

293. Hillside Coal tf- Iron Co. Erie Colliery.

Location: f mile southwest of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This colliery is shipping coal run-of-mine to Dunmore. There was once a large culm pile here but it has been worked over and only a part of it remains. This part is now being worked. Silt is not being produced,

294. Hudson Coal Co. Powderly No. 2 Colliery.

Location: i/o niile southwest of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Eiver.

Formerly the silt from this breaker, which is wet, was pumped back into the mines, but now the silt is allowed to drain directly into Powderly Creek. The culm and rock banks are being washed at the breaker. Approximately 200,000 tons of this material remain.

295. Sunrise Coal Co. Suwise Colliery.

Location: On Fall Brook % mile northwest of Carbondale. Drainage: Into Fall Brook.

No coal is prepared at this mine and it was not visited.

296. Fallhrook Coal Co. Fallbrook Colliery.

Location: 1 mile northwest of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Fall Brook.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream, and the silt does not accumulate. The culm pile has been worked over, and the rock bank contains no good coal.

297. Lackawanna Coal Corp. Falls Colliery.

Location : miles northwest of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Fall Brook.

This is a small operation and there is no accumulation of culm or silt.

298. Suffolk Anthracite Collieries Co. Boland Colliery.

Location: 1 mile south of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Powderly Creek.

The silt from this breaker is not settled. Formerly it went into a swamp, but this swamp is now filled and the water goes directly into the creek. The culm has been loaded out.

299. Racket Brook Coal Co. Racket Brook Colliery.

Location : I mile east of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Eiver.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream. There is no cTilm or silt, and the rock pile contains no good coal.

300. Hudson Coal Co. Coal Brook Colliery.

Location: Carbondale

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Eiver.

The breaker water goes directly into the river and no attempt is made to settle the silt. The large culm pile, which has never been worked, contains 225,000 tons of material. The rock pile contains no good coal.

301. Murray Coal Co. Murray B Colliery.

Location: II/2 miles northeast of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawana Kiver.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream. There is no silt bank or culm pile. The rock bank contains no good coal.

302. Suffolk Anthracite Collieries. Nay Aug No. 2 Colliery.

Location: East bank of Lackawanna Kiver, 2 miles north of

Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The breaker water goes directly into the river. No silt is settled. An old culm bank has been worked over and contains very little coal. The rock bank contains no good coal.

303. Wilson-Hill Coal Co. Franklin Colliery.

Location : 2 miles northeast of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Elk Creek.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream. There is no silt bank. The rock pile contains no good cool. An old culm pile has been worked over but some coal may be gotten out of it. The contents of this bank are problematical.

304. Richmondale Coal Co. Richinondale Colliery.

Location : 2 miles southwest of Vandling.

Drainage: Into Elk Creek.

The wash water goes directly into the stream and is not settled. There is no culm pile and the rock bank contains no good coal.

305. Temple Coal Co. Northwest Colliery.

Location : 3 miles east of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

The breaker water goes directly into the stream. No attempt is made to settle it, therefore there is no silt. The rock pile contains no coal, and the old culm bank has been worked over.

306. Red Haven Coal Co. East Side Mine.

Location: East bank of Lackawanna River, 2 miles north of Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This is a very small dry breaker which works intermittently and has very little discharge.

Plate Xxvii

A. Forest City breaker and silt flume. To illustrate how silt is delivered to a silt bank.

B. Lower silt basin at Underwood Colliery, Pennsylvania Coal Co., looking toward silt delivery end from roadway. The water spreads over the entire bank.

307. Hudson Coal Co. Clinton Colliery.

Location: At Vandling, midway between Forest City and

Carbondale.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna River.

This breaker has a large silt bank containing 100,000 tons. It is well built up with dry silt and very little fine-sized coal goes into the river. All sizes below pea coal are run througli a Avashery at the colliery. There is no culm bank.

Formerly, much of the silt was used for iuside llushiuo-, aud the' material whicli was uot used went over aii improvised slush bank directly into the river. The rock bank contains no good coal.

308. Hillside Coal d- Iron Co. Forest Cify No. 2 CollieryL

Location; Forest City.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Kiver.

This breaker has a silt bank containing approximately 100,000 tonst It was originally run into a depression. Tliis depression is now filled and the bank is being well built up as the silt accumulates. Very little silt goes into the river. A washery is attached to the breaker and all the fine sizes are recovered. The rock pile contains no good coal. There is no culm bank.

309. Clifford Coal Co. Clifford No. 1.

Location: 3 miles north of Forest City.

Drainage: Into Lackawanna Liver.

This breaker is abandoned. Tlie coal is prepared at Moosic. There are no silt or culm accumulations. Formerly a washery known as the Clifford Washery of the Pennsylvania Coal Company was located near this site. The slush from this washery was discharged into a depression from which an old culm bank had been removed. This accumulation of silt also has been removed.

Eiver And Greek Coal

Tlie three rivers (Irainiiig the aiithi'acite fields, the Susquehanna, Scdiuylkill, and Lehigh, liave lieen carrjdng away thousands of tons of conihustible material annual for over a hundred yeai'S. When anthracite mining was in its infancy there was no demand for small sizes. The steam sizes wliich are now so popular were piled outside the mines and were gradually washed into the streams. In addition to these steam sizes, pea and nut coal were often discarded. These accumulations were the basic source of river coal. Anthracite was first prepared dry. Later in the growth of the anthracite industry, water was used for preparing tlie coal and enormous quantities of domestic sizes were washed dii'ectly into the streams through the medium of breaker water discharge. Twenty years ago the streams of the anthracite region contained millions of tons of coal. These accumulations and the accumulations on breaker properties have gradually been worked over and are disappearing. Some old culm banks belonging to "Company" coal producers have not been reAvorked but these banks have been overgrown by tough grass, weeds, and small trees which find sufficient food in the piles to gi'ow prolifically. This vegetation protects these old piles. During times of high water the creeks run over the top of silt and culm accumiilations. The greatest migration of coal takes place during freshets. Large accumulatioiis of silt disappear down the creeks during one freshet. New bars are built up from material which is washed down from above. Conditions are changing however, and there is very little doubt that the river coal industry will eAentually cease.

HiMory. Before 1890 the accumulations of silt along the creek and river banks were worked only by private individuals who shoveled up enough of the best and large.st material for use in their stoves. The first operations on a commercial scale were in the vicinity of Harrisburg. A short time later operations were started near Sunbiiry. The first recorded production of river coal was in 1891 when sand and gravel producers reported production of river coal as a by-product of their other business. For 15 years the river coal industi'y was sporadic, and very small quantities were removed for use in nearby communities. There was little demand for the product because bituminous coal was cheap and residences and commercial plants were not equipped with the grates and blowers necessary for burning the fine coal.

Domestic sizes recovered from the creeks before they left the anthracite region were sold to householders for |2.00 a ton. The smaller sizes brought 50 to 75 cents a ton.

From 1905 to 1910 river coal gained in popularity on the Susquehanna and power companies began to use it in their plants. The production grew and in 1913, 260,000 tons were produced. The price ranged from 81-00 to $1.25 per ton ; $3.00 to $3.50 Avas charged for domestic sizes.

(168)

1G9

Migration and accinii lilafum of river coal. Kiver coal is separated from sand and gravel by ISatnre which uses the welhknown fact that when a mixture of heavy and light material is moved through the agency of water, the lighter material, which in this instance is coal, moves faster. Deposition takes place with the sand and heavy

Streams containing coal Coal being, produced

FIGURE It)

Occurence of River and Creek Coal.

Tnaterial sucli as bone on tlie bottom, and relatively ])nre coal on top. Many factors cause variation in this general law. The larger pieces of coal, of course, move much more slowly than the .smaller pieces. Most of the larger pieces are recovered in the creeks before they reach the river. The small pieces move onward and form bars and shoals in the rivers and creeks. The very finest of the material

PLATE XXVm

A. River coal on flat boats above Ilarrisburg. Waiting to be towed to unloading dock.

B. Mechanical separation of the coal from sand and water.

i.s .suspcntletl in tlie water and is carried ra])idly to the sea. Small particles of coal can be seen in the waters of the Snsquehanna at Havre de Grace, Maryland. Ice cakes in that locality contain pieces of anthracite.

The travel and accumulation of river coal is not constant. The coal is deposited where the current is sluggish. Freshets scour out new channels and the swifter water changes its course. The same material may he moved from side to side iu a stream valley without much forward movement. On the other hand a bar may be lifted entirely and moved doAvn the stream by high water and ice. Com-

paratively large sand lars disappear completely in two or three days and new ones are built up. Observations of a coal and sand bar in the vicinity of Ileckton, Dauphin County, indicate that it moved southward three miles in one year. This coal bar was composed of material 50 cent of Avhich passed through .3/32 inch round mesh screen. This is approximately the average size of the

Plate Xxix

B. Unloading river coal from flat boat by mechanical digger and delivery to truck, near Harrisburg.

anthracite which is being recovered from the river at Harrisburg. At the rate of movement of three miles in one year, it would take the coal 20 years to move from Lykens to Harrisburg, and 30 years Horn Shamokin to Harrisburg. This assumes, of course, that the rate of movement is constant. The coal Avould move faster on the creeks in which it originates because the current is swifter. Some coal bars in the Susquehanna do not move for several years. Others move very rapidly. After careful thought and consideration of all

the factors which are involved, it is reasonable to believe that river coal of average size or approximating that of No. 4 buckwheat which passes a 3/32 inch round mesh screen, will move between 2 and 3 miles a year. The finer material will move more rapidly and the larger material less rapidly. It is reasonable to assume that material which is being recovered from the river at Harrisburg in 1927 was mined in the Lykens Valley 20 or 25 years ago, and in the Shamokin Valley 30 or 40 years ago.

Methods of recovery. The smaller tributaries of the rivers are in most places too narrow, shallow, or swift for the use of floating outfits such as pumps and dredges. The most popular method for recovering coal in these creeks is entii'ely by hand. In some localities a conveyor bucket chain lifts the coal from the creek up onto a small loading table. The coal is shoveled by hand into the buckets.

At one place on Shamokin Creek a small washery was erected for the purpose of recovering a very large accumulation. The creek coal was carried to this washery by a scraper line and by hand loading. There is very little river and creek coal recovered today entirely by manual labor. Some small operators along the creeks recover a few tons of coal for local consumption. After a freshet considerable piles of domestic-sized anthracite are accumulated for local use. This material is mixed with pebbles, chunks of wood, and other unde.sirable material. It does not make the best domestic fuel.

Practically all the river coal is now recovered by rotary pumps which are permanently installed on the banks or on floating barges. The larger producers own a fleet of several flatboats which are moved back and forth tinder their own power to the most desirable localities. After each freshlet the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg is a new Eldorado. As soon as it is safe to navigate, the fleets of boats hastily leave their moorings and go in search of the most desirable deposits. The lucky ones reap fhe greatest harvest. The mixture of coal and sand pumped out of the river is separated in a very rough manner by passing over screens mounted on the dredge. These improve the quality of the product by retaining the cdrser coal and returning the sand to the river. Some of the companies have been doing some special screening but the results do not justify the increased cost of production.

The recovery of river coal is seasonal and the quanity obtained depends upon the number of freshets during the year. In Harrisburg river coal ivas in great demand during 1920 and the first part of 1927. A number of freshlets provide excellent recovery conditions.

In former years several thousand tons of domestic-sized anthracite was recovered yearly from the creeks draining from the anthracite region. This part of the industry is almost disappearing.

Use of river and creek coal. Practically all the river coal is used by commercial plants for generating power and for briquetting. Thousands of tons are used each year for generating electricity in the vicinity of Harrisburg. Very little other coal is used for this purpose.

River coal must be burned by forced draft on equipment designed for the burning of fine-sized anthracite. Practically all the grates

Plate Xxx

B. Detail of bar showing method of attaching keys.

C. Coxe stoker grate keys.

which are used are of the Coxe travelling grate type. Plate XXX pictures the construction of this grate.

This stoker consists of the main body, the grate, the driving gear, and the hopper. There are two sectional cast iron side frames about 3 feet in height and of varying length, depending on the length of active tire which is required. These frames are provided at the rear end with pedestal bearings to hold the rear or driving shaft, and at the front end with take-up grates for the front or idler shaft bearings. In the side frames are openings corresponding to the forced draft air connections and other openings for the removal of dust or siftings which accumulate during a period of time. Under the active portion of the grate is built a box of sheet steel, the bottom of which is about 10 inches from the bottom of the frames.

Plate Xxxi

This allows sufficient space beneath for the return travel of the grates. At the front end and vertical side or end of tlie air box is a cast iron plate which extends the full length of tlie stoker. This serves as an air seal and as a carrier of the grate bearings. At the rear end of the air box is a similar vertical plate and horizontallj sealed plate ; between these plates is the active grate surface. There are 2 or 3 lateral trunks or air boxes built into the side frames at their ends, and closed on the bottom by the bottom sheet and on the top by a cast iron sealed plate to the same level as the front and rear sealed plates. The plate is, however, somewhat narrower than the front and rear plates. Its width is about ecpial to the distance between the ribs of the adjacent carrier bars. Each compartment contains 2 or 3 tuyei'es or air boxes. Midway between the tuyeres is another vertical partition with a sealed plate at the upper end which divides the under grate section into 4 or 6 compartments communicating with the under side of the grate. Grid valves or gates are provided in the vertical side of the tuyeres and for the full length of the stoker to distribute air from the tuyeres or boxes. Both the stationary grate and the sliding member are ground to insure a tight they are closed. The sequence of compartments for a two tuyere stoker from the front to the rear is (1) an air compaxdment. (2) a tuyere with a sliding damper which controls the air to the first compartment, (3) a second compartment which takes the air through the rear side of the front tuyere, (4) a vertical partition, (5) a third air compartment, (6) a second tnyere, (7) another air compartment.

The Coxe stoker is driven through the rear shaft through a pair of worm and stem gears, the larger of which is located at the end of the stoker shaft which passes through the side wall. The worm of this gear is driven by a shaft which is in turn driven by a second worm and wheel gear which is usually placed behind the boiler. The drive is continuous, silent and without shock.

The grate surface consists of a number of narrow castings about 5/8 inches wide, flat on one side, and having on the other a number of projections about 3/32 inches high which separate these fingers or keys at that distance. The keys are slightly curved on their top edge. They are strung on malleable iron dove tails which in turn are bolted to a carrier bar. These bars which are of skeleton type extend the full length of the stoker and terminate in solid ends on the underside where steel bar lugs engage drop forged chains which convey the bars around.

The first essential for good combustion in a river coal fuel bed is uniform resistance so that the air will be evenly distributed, thus avoiding an excessive quantity at one point and insufficient at another. The coal must be of fairly uniform size and evenly distributed on the grate. In the Coxe stoker the grate surface is so designed that fine sfreauis or jets of air of uniform size are admitted through the grate. The fuel bed is of uniform thickness at the entering point and along any line parallel to the front of the stoker. The total resistance of grate and fuel bed is also uniform. As the coal is burned the resistance of the fuel bed decreases toward the rear of the grate, and if the entire grate were under the same air pressure obviously most of the air would pass through the

17G

central fire at the end of the grate where it was least required. By means of multiple air compartments it is possible to vary the pressure under the different portions of the grate in accordance with the thickness of the fuel bed above each compartment. Hence a uniform fire can be maintained over the entire grate. If necessary only one-half or three-fourths of the grate may be used for combustion. The rear compartment can be closed tq draft Avhich makes it possible to burn the coal at a higher rate of combustion on the front portion of the stoker and thus maintain the necessary high temperatures required for ignition.

In most installations the ashes fall off the rear end of the stoker as it rotates into a pit. This pit is flooded with water or the ashes are removed by conveyor. Eiver coal is not of uniform size and constant variation of draft is necessary. Large pieces cause dark spots in the fire and where the material is extremely fine forced draft makes bloAV holes through the fire bed. The finer the coal the less is the efficiency and also the greater the quantity of ash. If the coal is too fine it is blown through the flues and into the ash pit. With river coal as it is being produced today quick combustion is the most efficient. The heating value of river coal has not changed although the sizes which are recovered are much smaller than those 5 years ago. Much of the discussion of the use of river coal was taken from the publications of Combustion Engineering Corporation. Mr. Lee Coleman, combustion engineer of the Harrisburg Light & Power Company, furnished additional information,

Susquehanna River area. Susquehanna Eiver and its tributaries drain the entire Northern Anthracite Field, part of the Eastern Middle Field, all of the Western Middle Field, and part of the Southern Field. All of the silt-laden water flows into the Susquehanna Eiver north of Harrisburg with the exception of Swatara Creek Avhich enters the Susquehanna at Middletown. The beds of the creeks are heavily overlain with deposits of silt, and the river bottom is lined with silt bars.

The first recovery of coal in the Susquehanna drainage area was in the river itself. Eecovery of coal from creek beds did not start until 1915 when coal was in great demand and the price of soft coal had increased to high levels. Since 1916 numerous operations, some of which were not permanent, have been installed on Wiconisco, Mahanoy, Shamokin, and Swatara creeks and on the North Branch of the Susquehanna. The coal recovered from the creeks is practically all used near-by. Some of the coal recovered from the river is shipped to distant points, but most of its is used in the vicinity of Sunbury and Harrisburg. On Wiconisco Creek the Pennsylvania Eailroad is accessible for shipping at Millersburg near the mouth of the creek, and at Dornsife, Elizabethville, and Loyalton. Other points along the creek are inaccessible to the railroad and even at the points where the railroad is close to the creek, transportation is expensive because the railroad grade is approximately 50 feet above the creek level. The creek coal operations on Wiconisco Creek are now confined to the vicinity of Elizabethville.

The coal from Mahanoy Creek can be shipped either by the Heading or Pennsylvania Eailroads to Herndon at the mouth of the creek,

on the Reading at Dornsife Station, and at Hunter Station. These are the only points on Mahanoy Creek where large operations can be successfully conducted. Four well established concerns are operating on Mahanoy Creek. This creek contains large quantities of silt and is a fertile source for material which Hows into Susquehanna River.

Shamokin Creek flows through the open country between Shamokiu and Sunbury. It is flanked on one side by the Philadelphia & Read ing and by the Pennsylvania Railroad on the other. Short side tracks from both railroads are available and shipping facilities are good. Large accumulations of silt are being worked extensively in the vicinity of Sunbury and Deibler, Reed, and Shamokin. There are extensive creek coal operations at Gordon and Barry. The accumulations at this point are large and the shoals are a fruitful source of good material. A briquetting plant is being contemplated at Gordon.

The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western follows the west bank of the North Branch of the Susquehanna and the Pennsylvania the east bank. These two railroads offer good shipping facilities to river coal operations between Sunbury and Pittston. The active operations along this branch are at Klines Grove, Danville, Armedia, Espy, Hecks Ferry, and Plymouth.

The most extensive operations in river coal are on the main Susquehanna between Sunbury and Pequea. Two dozen or more companies are operating in this area. Coal is recovered at Sunbury for briquetting. At Herndon coal is recovered for local use and for shipment. At Clarks Ferry coal is dredged and some of it loaded for shipment, and some is trucked to Harrisburg. River coal oper ations are carried on practically continuously from Clarks Ferry to New Cumberland except where the current is too swift or the river is not deep enough to operate flat boats. The next extensive operation to the south is at York Haven. At Columbia and Marietta two or three companies are operating successfully. The most southern operation is at Pequea. Silt accumulations occur in large quantities as far south as the State line but they have not been worked, probably because they are far from a point of consumption and the sizes are prohibitively small.

Swatara Creek drains a large anthracite mining territory and has carried away thousands of tons of silt. Below Jonestown, Swatara Creek becomes winding and comparatively sluggish and before it reaches Middletown it has deposited practically all of its coal burden. At Hummelstown there is little coal along the banks or in the shoals. The water is discolored but it is said that flsh have been living in this creek up to this point. Small hand operated plants have been recovering creek coal intermittently in the vicinity of Green Point. This coal contains a large percentage of domestic sizes. In fact, Swatara Creek offers the only virgin dredging territory. Parts of the creek have not been dredged extensively because they are distant from any point of consumption and there are no railroad facilities. Thousands of tons of coal can be recovered from this creek bottom.

D— 12

Schuylkill River area. Schuylkill Kiver drains a large territory in the vicinity of Pottsville. Many large breakers are located on its drainage area. As a result enormous accumulations of silt have been deposited between Pottsville and Eeading. Silt deposits are present practically all the distance between Pottsville and the Montgomery County line. Indications of silt can be seen as far as Philadelphia. All of the dredging operations in this river are between Pottsville and Reading. Between these two towns the river is flanked by the Penn.sylvania and Reading railroads. Transportation facilities are good. Practically all the coal taken from Schuylkill River is reclaimed by rotary pumps mounted on fiat boats as in the Harrisbnrg district. Some half dozen companies are operating on this river and remove much coal each year. Schuylkill River seems to replenish its coal supply very rapidly. One company operating 1 mile south of Schuylkill Haven has worked for four years in an area which does not exceed 4,000 feet along the river. They have removed many thousands of tons of coal and at no time were they compelled to suspend operations for lack of it. The operations on the Schuylkill are small compared to those on the Susquehanna and its branches. Water conditions are not favorable for pumping at a great many points. Hand mining is possible because of the large accumulations along the river bank and in the fields. These deposits will eventually be worked over.

Lehigh River area. The Lehigh River drains only a small part of the anthracite field and obtains practically all its silt from Nesquehoning Creek. Operations of river-coal plants are very sporadic on this river and only a small tonnage is recovered each year. In the vicinity of Mauch Chunk and further south the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company dredges some coal out of the old canal bed. This company reclaimed 100,000 tons of coal in 1919 but has made no report since that time. One or two other operations work intermittently and produce but a small tonnage.

Statistics of production. Approximately 10,000,000 tons of coal have been recovered from the rivers and creeks draining from the anthracite field. The greatest production was 1,935,000 tons in 1919. This great demand Avas cx'eated by the shortage of coal caused by a prolonged coal strike. Production went back to normal again in 1921 and has shown very little decline. The following table gives production statistics for 1921-1925,* inclusive.

Production of river coal in Pennsylvania, 1921-1925

No. of operations

No. of employees

Expenses and wages

Oapital

investment

Tons

Value

38S

$ 318,800 551,100

$1,058,300

1,578,400

'502,920

$ 717,700

M

887,041

1,316,200

1923 - — - -

565,000

1,604,100

1,432,700

911,371

1,114,400

508,200

763,460

906,600

556,100

1,225,300

791,920

998,000

Pennsylvania Department of Internal Affairs, Bureau of Statistics.

Production of river cout, hij counties, 192o.

County

No. of operations

No. of employees

Expenses and wages

investment

Tons

Vaiue

Berks

$ 39,400

$ 78,800

48,985

$ 63,200

Columbia

4,100

30,000

10,669

Dauphin

274,100

374,100

307,244

372,400

Lancaster

Is

32,200

108,500

(S,73S

84,100

Lebanon

2,, 500

19,000

4,626

7,s00

Luzerne

20,700

100,000

64,593

67,800

Montour

5,500

3,100

Northampton

10,100

16,000

.36,176

41,700

Northumberland

107,900

331,000

155,799

215,000

Schuylkill

36,300

115,300

66,005

York .

28,100

46,500

29,745

44,400

$556,100

$1,225,. 300

791,920

$99S,C00

Future of the river coal industry. There is diverse opinion among river coal operators as to the life of the river coal industry. This industry does not depend entirely upon supply. It is an economic condition which is governed more or less by market conditions. In all probability, market conditions would be favorable enough to continue river coal operations for a great manj years, particiilarly on the Susquehanna, but the supply of river coal is not inexhaustible. During the last few years the anthracite-producing companies are making a serioiis attempt to recover all the fine sizes of anthracite. Some companies are now letting Xo. 4 buckwheat go into the stream but not wilfully. The source of river coal larger than No. 4 buckwheat has been eliminated. Large quantities of Xo. 4 buckwheat and slush are discharged into the stream and this will afford some supply for the future. Xeveidheless, even this supply is greatly diminished. The creeks will gradually clean their channels and wash additional material into the streams. Eiver dredging will be carried on in the Susquehanna area for 25 years or more. The industry will die a natural death and a time will come when it will not be profitable to dredge for coal alone. Eiver coal will again be a byproduct of the sand and gravel industry.

There seems to be a large supply of river coal on Schuylkill Eiver. This coal is on the flood plains of the river and is increased each year. The river stays in its channel and leaves these deposits practically unmolested. The river coal industry can be carried on for many years on the Schuylkill.

Lehigh Eiver is not such a fruitful source for silt and its possibilities will become less and less in the future. The collieries which have been supplying the river with its silt are now conserving the very smallest of sizes.

Quality and si.ee of river coal. Eiver coal decreased gradually in size until 1922-23. During this period there was a decided decrease in the percentage of large sizes. This may be indirectly traced to the suspension of mining in 1919 with the subsequent demand for river coal. During this period the better accumulations were worked over. From 1923 to 1927 the size of river coal has not decreased to any great degree. At Harrisburg 50-05 per cent of the coal goes through 3/32 inch round mesh. Below Harrisburg 80 per cent goes

through 3/32 inch mesh. An average size analysis of river coal at Harrisburg is as follows:

Per cent

Over 3/lG 6.5

Through 3/16, over 3/32 25.85

Through 3/32, over 1/16 42.65

Through 1/16 25.00

In the years 1926-27 there has been some complaint about the quality of river coal. As the sizes become smaller it is more difficult to separate the sand from it. The quality of the coal itself has not depreciated. As the size of the coal decreases the quality will become worse and worse. The quality depends almost entirely upon the care which is taken in preparation,.

Seven freshets of the Susquehanna in 1927 brought down a large quantity of coal, and the river coal industry flourished. The coal was 10 per cent larger than in 1926. Eighty per cent of it passed through a 3/32 inch screen. The increase in size is dxie to better preparation methods, and the large number of freshets.

Eiver coal is unique in that it offers a profitable recovery of a waste material. It is the only natural material which has been wasted in the State and recovered after a long time. Kiver coal has been beneficial to the communities along the creeks and rivers in which it occurs, and many profitable industries have been founded because of its presence. It has afforded cheap power and light to Harrisburg for a great many years.

River Coal Producers in Pennsylvania

Couipany

AJleman, Grant E. (Drifted Coal

& Supply Co.,

Anthracite Dredging Company,

347 Wyoming Ave. ,

Anthracite Production Co.,

Auburn Drifted Coal Co.,

Bevenue Cal Company,

Besteeki, Baron, 315 Walnut St.

Blue Mountain Coal Co

Brown, Charles,

Custer, C. E., —

Davis, O. 'O. , 316 Sixth Street,

Daft, Harry,

Deibler Coal Cd., 436 Commercial 'lYust Bldg.,

Downey, P. H., 1329 S. Cameron St

Ebersole, John M., P. O. Box

388 —

Ebony C-oal Co., 621 E. Dcwart

St

Etmoyer, B. J.,

Pilling, W .H., 1335 N. 6th St.

Fisher, C. Arthur,

Pordham & Co., B. W

Forney, Chas. E. ,

Franklin Coal & Coke Co., 1600 Walnut St.,

Gordon .Company,

Office

Address

Works

Address

Shoemakersville, .

Shoemakersville, ..

Kingrston,

Plvmoiith, ,

Pequea,

Shenks Ferry,

Shoemakersville, ..

Auburn . .

Harrisburg,

Hamburg,

Clarks Ferry,

New Cumberland, .

Herdon,

New Cumberland, .

Mrtriptta ,

CJolumbia

Deibler,

Harrisburg, .

Shamokin,

Highspire,

Harrisburg

Landingville,

Treverton,

Dnrn,<?ifp,

Danville

Barry,

St. Benedict.

Gordon

County

Berks.

Luzerne.

Lancaster.

Schuylkill.

Perry.

Dauphin.

Berks .

Northumberland.

Columbia.

Cumberland.

l.ancaster.

Northumberland .

Dauphin.

Berks.

Northumberland.

Dauphin.

Schuylkill.

Northumberland.

Montour.

Schuylkill.

Company

Office

Address

Works

Address

County

Hess, Luther,

Hoffman, Reese & Son,

Hoover Coal Oo

Huff, Wm. H.,

-Espy,

Almedia

Dornsife,

New Cumberland, .

Industrial Coal Co., 422 Bridge St., -

New Cumberland, .

Espy,

Hornsife,

New Cumberland, .

Columbia. Columbia . Northumberland. Cumberland.

Cumberland.

Kulp Coal Co.,

Shamokin,

Landingville Coal Co. (Bechtel

& Nichter)

Line Mountain Coal Co., 910 Franklin Trust Bldg.,

Pottsville, . Philadelphia,

Reed,

Pottsville,

Dornsife,

Northumberland.

Schuylkill. Northumberland .

McCreath, R., 565 Race St.,

McGready Krout & Company, .

Harrisburg, York Haven,

Mackennan & Hatch Co., The, Mahanoy Valley Coal Co., 106

E. Chestnut St.,

Martin Construction & Supply

Co., 135-45 N. 10th St.,

Meadow Hill Coal Go., 430

Scranton Life Bldg

Mengel, Uriah H.,

Herndon, ..

Shamokin,

Harrisburg,

Scranton, ..

North Branch Dredging Co., Susquehanna Ave., -

Sunbury,

Port Clinton Coal Co., c/o Frank M. Master, Cialder Bldg.

Harrisburg,

Herndon,

Girardville, .

Harrisburg,

Herndon,

Auburn,

Sunbury,

Port Clinton,

Dauphin.

York.

Northumberland.

Schuylkill.

Dauphin.

Northumberland.

Schuylkill.

Northumberland.

Schuylkill.

Bobbins Brothers,

Bloomsburg,

Hicks Ferry.

Scranton Bayonne Coal Co., i2S

Wyoming Ave.,

Scranton Electric Co. , 509 Linden St.,

Scranton Fuel Co., 308 Union

Bank Bldg.,

Schuylkill Haven Drifted Coal

Co., P. O. Box 554,

Seebold, Ct. C.,

Shamokin Anthracite Reclaiming Co., 604 Colonial Trust Bldg. Shamokin Valley Coal Co., 102

Franklin Bank Bldg.,

Shissler, Ed.,

Slider & Erb,

Sneidman Brothers,

Steward, Ray E., 1403 N. Front

St.,

Stewart, M. B.,

Stroh, Crist and Fred, 3218

Green St.,

Sturtevant & Hetherland Coal

Co

Summerville, A. H., 117 Wall St. Susquehanna Dredging Co.,

Scranton,

Scranton

Schuylkill Haven, Riverside,

Reading,

Philadelphia,

Camp Hill,

Elizabethetown, Almedia,

Harrisburg

West Fairview,

Harrisburg,

Elizabethville,

New York, N. Y. Columbia,

Hunter (Dornsife), Butzback,

Schuylkill Haven.

Klines Grove

SDeibler, Paxinos,

I Reed,

Marietta,

Almedia,

Harrisburg

West Fairview,

Barry,

Luzerne.

Northumberland.

Schuylkill.

Northumberland.

Cumberland.

Lancaster.

Columbia.

Dauphin.

Cumberland.

Dauphin.

Schuylkill.

Lancaster.

Thompson Coal Co.,

Treichler Drifted Coal Co. ,

Weston-Dodson & Co., Inc., 528 N. New St.,

Zeigler Coal Co., p. A

Auburn. Auburn,

Shoemakersville,

Bethlehem, I Deibler.s (3 plants)

Elizabethville, I Elizabethville,

Schuylkill.

Berks.

Northumberland . Dauphin.

SAMPLING SILT AND CULM BANKS Introduction

Before undertaking the extensive sam])ling campaign required to obtain a comprehensive idea of the character of silt and fine coal deposits in the anthracite field, it was deemed advisable to do some prelinpnary work on methods of sampling.

At a conference of engineers and representatives of various com panics, held in Wilkes-Barre on elanuary Ifi, 1926, various methods were proposed and discussed at length but no specific ])procedure was fixed upon as giving promise of precise results at a practicable cost. Driving pipes to obtain a core sample Avas generally regarded as inaccurate because of plugging of the yupes, and the use of augers would have the disadvantage of breaking the coal. Moreover either of these two methods woTild be too expensive, considering the limited funds available for carrying on the Avork.

The most economical procedure suggested may be called surface or horizontal sampling, consisting of sinking test pits into the top and sides of the bank, so distributed as to represent, as nearly as possible, equal quantities of material, and the side pits penetrating the cribbing which was built up to retain the silt. This, Avith some modification, Avas the plan finally adopted after a month of preliminary work to compare the sanyples so obtained with those taken by more precise methods.

Method of sampling

The sampling procedure folloAved throughout Ihe Avork Avas as follows :

(1) A preliminary reconnaissance AAms made of the deposit to be sampled and locations were selected for individual sample increments to represent equivalent quantities of silt as nearly as could be estimated. In large banks of someAvhat symmetrical shape this was done by spacing sample locations at centers of square 50 to 150 paces on a side depending upon size and nature of the dejmsit. Where banks were irregular in plan and thickness, the effect of such irregularities Avas compensated for, as nearly as could be estimated, in making up the composite sample. In deep banks the loAver layers were represented in estimated proportion by samples taken on sides after digging through the drift or surface material accumulated from above. Advantage Avas also taken of any vertical sections exposed by cuts or washouts, which were found in many of the deposits sampled. Portions of banks that differed markedly in composition or history were sampled separately.

(2) At each selected location, a core sample was taken with a 3-inch galvanized iron tube forced doAAm into the deposit by turning and pushing. When the tube was inserted as far as possible by

the weight of the operators, it was withdrawn, the core removed, and the tube reinserted in the hole for another section of core, care being exercised to prevent scraping the sides of the hole. In the usual silt deposit, which is sufficiently damp for the particles to cohere, these sample holes stood clear and open and no difficulty was experienced from caving; except in a very few cases where the material was barley and rice coal, or larger, practically free from fines. From 4 to 10 insertions of the tube were required to obtain a 10-foot core, depending upon the compactne.ss of the bank, which was usually an indication of its age. In the early part of the work a 4-foot tube was used but this was later supplemented by a 10-foot tube and 10-foot cores were obtained at most of the banks. The various individual samples were combined and reduced by coning and quartering to a suitable size for drying — 25 pounds was adopted for ordinary silt banks containing a small percentage of barley and rice coal.

Factors Affecting Precision of Sampling

Various conditions may affect the accuracy of results obtained by any sampling method and, as these conditions vary greatly among individual deposits, each presents a separate sampling problem. If the accumulations were geometrical in shape or uniform in character throughout, camping would be simple; but it is unlikely that these conditions ever exist. IMost of the deposits sampled were irregular in shape and the contour of the gi'ound under the deposit could, in most cases, be ascertained only approximately. This made the correct allocation of sample holes difficult and at best, only approximate.

Wide variations in the physical and chemical character of material through the deposit is to be expected and this factor determines the number and spacing of individual samples required to make a representative composite.

The distribution of sizes and impurities in a deposit of silt must depend largely upon the history of the mine, the preparation plant, and the deposit itself, during the period of accumulation,. Changes in character of coal mined, method of preparation, size of screens used, or method of transporting silt to the bank will have been reflected in the make-up of the deposit as it accumulated; and it is also subject to rearrangement by the elements after deposition.

In the month of preliminary work, a study was made of the variation in character of silt in the bank and its effect on precision of sur face sampling, at two collieries where special facilities were available. The banks studied contain .small proportions of barley and rice coal.

Examination of Samples

The composite bank .samples were dried in the sun or on drying pans in the colliery coal inspector's laboratory and then reduced by a standard Jones riffle sampler to a size suitable for screening to obtain the percentage of each size in the bank. A set of 12 inch 3/64 inch, and square mesh wire screens as follows: 50 me.sh, 100 mesh, and 200 mesh.

round sieves was used for this purpose. This set contained round Iiole screens ol the following sizes; 11/16, 9/16, 5/16, 3/16 3/32, and

Plate Xxxii

A. Furnace for the determination of volatile matter of coal.

B. Drying oven for the determination of moisture content of coal. Both pictures are in the laboratories of the United States Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh.

The preliminary study of sampling methods and the factors that affect the precision of results, was made at Mocauaqua colliery of the West End Coal Company, and at the Ontario colliery of the Scranton Coal Com{)any.

Chemical analyses and determination of heating value (B. t. u.) were made in the laboratory of the Pittsburgh station. United States Bureau of Mines with the equipment shown in Plates XXXI I and

Mocanaqua Colliery Silt Bank

The Mocanaqua colliery is located at the town of IMocanaqua on Susquehanna Kiver opposite Shickshinny. The silt bank at this colliery is especialh suited for the preliminary study because it is of moderate size and contains a recently made cut which exposed the entire vertical section of the exterior of the bank so tliat it could be channel sampled. A separate conical of the bank being made at the time of sampling conld be sampled separately by the surface sampling method for comparison with the mean of a series of daily samples of current silt being deposited upon it. This small bank contained the silt produced during the six months operating period immediately preceding the date of sampling. It contained approximately 4,000 tons of silt.

This conical bank of new and current silt was built i:p by conveying the silt to the top by a scraper line and flushing it out onto the pile with a small quantity of water. Silt from the breaker is conveyed by flume to a settling tank from which a perforated bucket elevator picks it up and delivers it to the drag line conveyor. The finest perforations in the screens through which this silt passes are 1/16 inch in diameter, but during a large part of the time Xo. 4 buckwheat, made through 1/8 and over 1/16 inch round holes also goes to the bank. This was the practice at the time of sampling.

The main part of the bank which Avas deposited prior to installations of the settling and deAvatering tank Avas built up by flushing Ihe silt out over it Avith AAater and impounding it in marginal banks built up of silt with sluiceAvays for draining off the Avater. Tavo of the commonest methods of storing silt are therefore reiiresented in this bank. The main bank is roughly rectangular in shape and is approximately 55 feet long by 200 feet wide. It ranges in thickness from about 70 feet at the upper or east end of the intake to about 10 feet at the Avestern extremity.

Lateral distribution of sizes. Surface samples Avere taken on the top and sides of this bank and three composite samples Avere made; one represented the upper or infloAV end of the bank, one represented the middle section, and another represented the lower or doAvnstream end in order to shoAV the lateral variation in size of material. Screen analyses of these three samples and of the composite of channel samples taken in the shovel cut Avhich penetrates the bank are given in the folloAving table. While this shoAvs a slightly larger percentage of the largest size in the infloAv sections of the bank there Avas no outstanding decrease in size of material from the infloAv end toAvard the opposite extremity. This is accounted for in part by the fact that a large part of the sluice escaped with the run-off

38©

Plate Xxxiii

Calorimeter for determining the heating value of coal at the Pittsburgh Station, United States Bureau of Mines.

water when the bank was being deposited and to the fact, as indicated by old tlnme remains, that the stream was directed in a body to various parts of the surface and the stream did not always fan out entirely from the surface end.

Table 1. Comparison of screen analyses of samples of three sections of hank and in shovel cut at Mocanaqua Colliery.

Size

Per cent of

total sample

Through

Over

1st section

section

3rd section

Shovel cut

Direct

Cumu-

Direct

Cumu-

Direct

Cumu.

Direct

Ctimu-

Direct

Cumu-

lative

3/16

3/32

3/33

3/64

3/61

lOO

O'.O

2.9r

Total

♦Surface samples along side of shovel cut (on each side). ♦♦Mean of three preceding sections.

These three sectional screen analyses and the proportion of tines (throtigh 30 mesh screen) in various individual samples taken over the top of the bank sliowed only unmethodical irregularity of distribution of sizes. This is in marked contrast to many banks examined later in wliich the silt-bearing stream enters at one end and meanders through or sjireads out over the bank. In sucli deposits, particularly where the sluice is almost completely retained, there is a very observable downward gradation in size toward the downstream end and in many cases the extreme end of the bank is so mucky as to render tube sampling diflicult. Proper location of sample increment over the area of the deposit is very important in such a case. In banks that thin out toward the downstream end this was accomplished by taking samples on lines across the bank at right angles to the stream, the spacing being inversely proportional to the estimated tliickness.

Vertical of sizes. To show how the material might vary in size from top to bottom of the deposit the channel .samples taken in the cut which opens up this bank, were taken in consecutive benches, each of ten feet vertical thickness and separate samples of each bench were kept. This cut extends into the side of the bank a distance of 100 feet or ajiproximately to the center and it is about GO feet Avide. Channel samples were taken from top to bottom in the middle of the back of the banks and in the middle of each side.

The samples were taken by squaring up the face in the vicinity of the sample location, removing the expo.sed face to a depth of about six inches and for a Avidth of tAVO feet and then taking a uniform channel sample about 8 inches wide by three inches deep doAvn the middle of the cleared section. Each individual sample Avas examined for ash and fines (through 80 mesh screen) and a composite sample of each horizontal 10-foot bench Avas made up for screen analysis.

These screen analyses are presented in table 2. These figures shoAV a someAvhat higher proportion of tines in the loAver part of the bank than in the upper part but the difference is not very great except in the proportion of very fine material through 200 mesh.

This increase of fines with depth is perhaps explainable as due to the washing of fines from the upper into the lower part of the bank by the water that was continually finished out upon the bank as new material was added, and by rains. No change in size of screens has been made in the preparation plant during the accumulation of the deposit.

At the time of sampling the faces of the cut stood at an angle of about 70 degrees from the horizontal except for the lower 10 feet, where fallen material had accumulated. This was shoveled away to expose the normal stratified deposit before sampling.

Table 2. Coniparatwe screen anali/ses of bench samples taken in shovel cut at Mocanaqua Colliery.

Size

Direct and cumulative analysis given for each bench Percent of total sample

Thru Over

Top bench

2nd bench

3rd bench

4th bench

5th bench

Bottom

bench

Mean

syie

3/10 3/32

3/32 3/04

3/64 50

16.4 17.1

36.0 53.1 30.3 S3. 4

16.0 100.0

17.0 18.1 37.4 56.5

30.2 85.7

14.3 100.0

12.7 13.5 33.6 47.1 32'.8 70.9 20.1 100.0

21.7 20.3

42.3 68.0

31.4 100.0

23.7 29.0 40.3 00.9 30.1 100.0

28.0 35.8

38.0 74.4 25 6 100.0

10.0 11.1 ;.i 41.2 3.5.7 70.9 23.1 100.0

Total ilOO.O

Table 3. Percent of ash and fines in individual samples on each side

of shovel cut.

North side

South side

Mean

Bench

Ash

Pines

Ash

Pines

Ash

Pines

]6.1

G (Bottom)

2:7.0

Mean I

Table Jf. Percent of ash and fines in individual samples taken in

shovel cut.

North side

Center

South side

Mean

Bench

Ash

Pines

Ash

Fines

Ash

Pines

Ash

Fines

1 (Top) -

2:5.3

0 (Bottom)

Mean

Similar variations in size with depth is borne ont by determination of the proportion of tines (through 80 mesh screen) in each individual sample. This is true both of individual samples taken in the cut and surface samples taken on both sides of the cut. Tables 8 and 4 show the ash content and percentage of tines in these individual samples. There appears to be no methodical variation in ash content.

The surface samples taken along each side of the open cut were so located as to represent by the surface sampling method approximately the same portion of the bank as represented by the channel samples taken on the faces exposed in the cut. Screen analyses of the composite samples obtained by the two methods are given in the first table and in Fig. 21. The cumulative figures show a close check between these samples, indicating that the average size of particles in the two samples was practically the same. The greatest variation in any individual size is in the increments between 3/64 inch and 50 mesh, of which the surface sample contained 28.5 per cent and the channel samjde 35.7 per cent, a difference of 7.2 per cent. All other sizes are much clo.ser.

Table 5. Cwnparifton of daih/ mmpJcft of current silt with tube samples of small mCw part of bank at Mocanaqua Colliery.

Screen

analysis

size

Bank sample

Current sample (7 days)

Through

Over

Direct

Oumulative

Direct

Cumulative

3/16

3/33

.3/32

3/64

lOO

Total

—

Table 6. Daily samples of current silt at Mocanaqua, Colliery.

Date

Ash

Through 30 mesh

Mav 4 -

Per cont

Per cent

1R.7

Composite of above -- . ..

27,0

Table No. 5 gives the screen analyses of a composite sample of the new conical bank of current silt taken by the surface sampling method, and of a composite of seven samples of current silt deposited on the bank during a two weeks period. Siirface samples were taken with a four-foot fpbp and each current silt sample was accumulated

by collecting equal small increments at half hourly intervals throughout an operating clay from the silt discharge spout delivering from the dewatering elevator to the drag line conveyor. Comparison of the cumulative screen analyses of the two composite samples is shown graphically in Fig. 21. The maximum difference in the proportion of any individual size increment, obtained by screening the two composite samples, is 1.8 per cent in the 3/32 to 3/16 inch size.

Daily variations in the quality of silt are shown by the percentage of ash and of lines in separate daily samples.

Ontario Colliery Silt Bank

The Ontario colliery of the Scranton Coal Co. is at Peckville, near Winton.

The Ontario breaker prepares 1800 to 2000 tons of coal per day. Part of this is fresh mined and part is bank coal. The coal is cleaned by simplex jigs and screened over 3/32-inch round-hole screens. The size of screens has not been changed during the deposition of the bank ; but, about four months prior to the date of sampling, an auxiliary silt shaker with 3/32-inch perforations was installed to recover accidental oversize in the silt before it is discharged to the bank.

The silt that passes through this screen is flushed out upon the bank, with water, to be directed to various portions of the bank by an attendant, who also maintains an impounding bank of silt, through Avhich the run-off water is discharged bj' sluice-ways to a small creek which carries it to Lackawanna Eiver.

7. Per cent of ash and fines in indwidual samples from hank

at Ontario Colliery.

Narth wing of West wing

hank

East wing

Lower samples

Side samples

Sample No. j

O'

d

!?:

o

a

Co

a

o

a

S

Co

O

G

d

O)

a

S

Co

Si

G

d

a

7S

Co

Qj

s

102'

lOf!

Aver-

age

106B

O

112B

O

P

12Sb

U

P

At the time of sampling the bank was about 3 years old and approximately 2.5 feet deep.

The three wings of this bank, which are nearly equal in area, were sampled separately by the surface sampling method, and a test pit 16 feet deep was sunk in the center of each wing for bench sampling. Table 7 gives the percentage of ash and the percentage of fines in the individual samples taken over this bank.

Unlike the results obtained at Mocanaqua, these samples show a downward gradation in size of material from the inflow to the overflow end of the bank. There is also an appreciable difference in average ash content, the highest ash samples being obtained at the inflow and the lowest ash samples in the sides of the bank around the overflow periphery.

Variation in size of material ivith depth. At sample locations 106, 112, and 123, pits were sunk in order to sample down to a depth of 16 feet and 1 foot bench samples below these surface samples are designated by the subscripts B, C, and 1) of these numbers.

Table S. Comparative screen analyses in south wing (section 3).

Size

Sample 128.V

Samples 123 .4.6, O & D

Composite of top tube samples

Per cent

of total

Per cent

of total

Per cent of total

Through

On

Cumula-

Direct

tive

Direct

tlve

Direct

tive

5/16

3/16

3/32

3/64

Table

9. Comparative

screen

analyses

in north

wing (section 2).

Composite of

Size

Sample 112A

Samples 112ABC & D

surface tube samples

Per cent of total

Per cent

of total

Per cent

Of total

Through

On

Cumula-

Direct

tive

Direct

tive

Direct

tive

5/16

6/16

3/16

3/32

3/64

19.S

3/64

—

Table 10. Comparative screen analyses in inflow wing at Ontario

Colliery.

Size

Sample 106A

Samples 106 A B O & D

Composite

surface tube samples

Per cent of total

Per cent

of total

Per cent

of total

On

Cumula-

Direct

tive

Direct

tive

Direct

tive

5/16

6/16

3/16

3/32

3.Xj

3/32

3/64

aoo

Table 11. Comparative screen analyses of bank samples at Ontario

Colliery.

Mean of surface

Mean of vertical

Size

samples

benches

Mean

Through

On

Cumula-

Direct

five

Direct

tive

Direct

tive

5/16

5/lS

3/16

3/32

3/64

lOO

Z.7

Tables 8, 9, and 10 give the screen analyses of the surface samples and of the composite channel sample at each pit location and also, the screen analyses of the composite surface sample of the corresponding section of the hank.

These show no methodical variation in size of material with depth although the individual samples show irregular variation. Composite channel samples and composite surface samples of the same section of the bank checked closely on screen analysis. Graphs showing these comparative screen analyses are presented in Figure 21. Curves in Figure 21 show the cumulative screen analyses of a composite surface sample of the entire Ontario bank taken over the top and sides of the bank with a 4-foot tiibe and of a composite of all the bench or channel samples. The greatest difference in these two samples Avas in the size through 3/64 inch over 50 mesh Avhich constituted 41.5 per cent of the surface sample and 43.3 per cent of the channel sample, a maximum variation of 1.8 per cent.

These check results and those obtained at the Mocanaqua colliery, indicate that where no great change has been made in the size of screens during the accumulation of a deposit, the surface method of sampling may be expected to represent the bank with a precision of within 5 per cent eAen AAdien-no Aertical .sections are available for bench sampling. In sampling A'ery old banks, where changes in size of smallest screens or other radical changes in preparation practice Avere knoAvn to have been made, it was considered necessary to select, for sampling, such banks as contained cuts, Avashouts or other exposed cross sections and to make separate compo.site samples of distinctly different portions of the bank.

To check the screening tests and ascertain Avhether or not samples of sufficient size were being used, tests Avere made on two sets of duplicate samples of Ontario bank coal. These duplicate samples were each cut out separately by quartering down the entire composite sample. One such test was made on the composite surface sample of section 2, the north Aving of the bank; and one of section 3, the south Aving of the bank. Results of these duplicate screen tests are

given in fables 12 and 13. The inaxinmni variation from the mean was 1.2 per cent in the size between 3/bl and 3/32 inches in the samples of section 3 and the average variation from the mean was 0.25 per cent.

Table 12. Screen analijscs of (InpUcalc soinplcs from north le'uuj of

Ontario hreaJeer bank.

Size

First sample

Second sample

Mean

Weight,

Per cent

Weight,

Per cent

Through

Over

g'rams

of total

j;rams

of total

5/16'

3/16'

A

3/16'

3/32'

3/32"

3/64"

3/64'

lOO

Total — .

—

1,267

Table 13. Screen analyses of duplicate samples from south winy.

Size

First sample

Second sample

Mean

Weight,

Per cent

Weight,

Per cent

Through

Over

grams

of total

grams

of total

5/16'

.5/16'

3/16'

3/32"

3/.32"

3/64"

Is.O

2S

Total, —

1,313

Sampling and Measurement of Waste V/ater

Water samplmg. To estimate the rate of silt production in tons per day and the losses of tine coal in breaker tvater, slush bank run-off water, and any othei' taste water discharged fi'om the, preparation plant, it was necessary at ])ractically every colliery ro collect representative samples of such waste water jiroducts with a proportionate sample of the solids carried in suspension.

Where the stream of water to be sampled is so small that a sample can be caught in an open pail without splash or overflow, this is a satisfactory method of sampling and it was used at some of the smaller plants. However, this method was impracticable in most cases because of the size and swiftness of the stream which made it impossible to catch a sample without some of the water splashing out

D— 13

of or overflowing the pail, leaving a portion of its solids therein and thus making the sample not representative as to percentage of solids.

For sampling large and swift flowing streams a special sampling dipper was constructed as shown in Figure 20. This is a triangular prismatic box with a wide bottom (8 by 10 in.) and drawn in to a width 5/8 inch at the top, which is open to receive the sample. One of the triangular ends bears a shank to receive a round handle. To sample a stream of water with this device, a place where the water falls a sufficient height for the dipper to be placed in the descending stream is selected; or a fall is made for this purpose. A

\Vat('r sampling dipper.

suitable handle is inserted in the shank, and the sampler is moved uniformly across the stream so as to receive a representative increment of the entire cross section of the stream in the narrow opening of the box. By this method a small sample can be taken from a large swift stream without splash or overflow.

Individual were collected in this manner at regular intervals (usually half-hourly) until a 20 gallon sample was obtained. This composite sample was accumulated in an iron tub. It was then settled overnight and as much of the water decanted as possible without loss of solids. The sample was then evajiorated to dryness over a Are, or steam pipes, and the residue Aveighed to ascertain the proportion of solids carried by the Avater. Samples Avere also retained for sizing tests and chemical analyses.

Mcaanrcmnit oj rate of fiou'. To osliiimlc Hie tolal quantity of fine coal carried away by the water or flushed out ujion the silt hank in a stream of water, it is necessary to measure the rate of floAV as well as the jiroportion of solids in Ihe water. In a few cases, wide-crest Aviers AA'ere found in the normal course of the stream, as an incident of tank or flume cons ruction : in one other case, a shaiqi-crest AAuer Avas constructed esjiecially for the work; and in a feAA' cases small streams Avere measured hy catchiu" the entire discharge and measuring the time reipiired to fill a large tub. Excejit AA'here such special facilities Avere aA'ailahle, howeA'er, the rate of tloAv aauis estimated by the aiiju'oximate method* of measuring the time recpiired for floats to traAmrse a measured course. For this purpose a straight 100-foot section of uniform slope Avas marked off along the Hume or other AA'atercourse, and small AA'ooden floats were throAA'n into the stream ahoA'e the uiqier end of this 100- foot course and the time required for the float to pass OA'er the course aa'us measured a stop AA'atch. The length of the course, dhudecl by the time inteiwal in seconds, giAms the A'elocity of Aoaa' in feet per second, at the center of the surface of the stream. To reduce this to aA'erage A'elocity OA'er the entire cross-section of the stream it is necessai'y to use a factor to compensate for the lag of ihose sections of the stream adjacent to the sides and bottom. The factor used in these computations AA'as .80. ( See lerriam, op. cit.,

p. ll'O). This reduces surface A'elocity to mean A'elocity.

The mean A'elocity measured in this AA'ay (.SOxfloat velocity) multiplied by the cross-section area of the stream in square inches and divided by 231 (cubic inches per gallon ) gives the rate of floAv in gallons per second. With this measurement and the Aveight of solids per gallon of Avater determined by sampling, the rate of floAV of coal in tons per day may be calculated.

SUSQUEHANNA COLLIEETES COMPANY Short Mountain Colliery

The output of this colliery is 1,200 to 1,500 tons of prepared coal a day. It is prepared over James and iMenzies jigs. A Avashery which operates intermittently on bank coal Avas also Avorking at the time of sampling. Silt passes through a screen Avhich has some 1/16-inch and some 3/32-inch perforations. The silt and water go to a small sump from Avhich it is pumped up onto a storage bank. A part of the Avater and slime overtloAV this sump. It joins with other Avaste Avater from the breaker and the Avashery, and Avith some from hydraulicing operations on a culm and silt bank that is being used foj* boiler plant fuel. This Avater floAvs aAvay to the river. It Avas sampled at half-hourly intervals and measured by timing floats in the combined stream. The rate of Avater Hoaa'' Avas 2.120 gallons per minute and it carried aAvay 186 tons of fine-sized solids per day. This material is practically all finer than the usual steam sizes but it is comparatively Ioav in ash.

An old silt bank which Avas started about 1885 originally contained 1,000,000 tons of silt of exceptionally Ioav ash content. Part of it

Elements of hydraulics, Merriman Mansfield, .John AViley X- Sous, p. 120,

lias been briquetted by the American Briquet Company and part oi it is held in reserve t'oi' fulnre use in the dust-burning boiler plant operated by the Susquehanna Collieries Company. The part of the bank intended for boiler plant fuel was sampled with the 10-foot sampling tube. It contains 9.4 per cent of No. 2 buckwheat and 13.8 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat coal.

Analysis of sample of silt hank at Short Mountain Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/16"

S.l

8,800

3/161"

3/32"

10,78,1

3/32"

3/64"

11,910

3/64"

50 mesh

12,530

50 mesh

100 mesh

12,130

100 mesh

200 mesh

12,580

200 mesh

—

1?,310

Total

2,667

Average

11,885

Analysis of solids in vyastc ioater from breaker hank and washery at

Short Mountain Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Cihemical analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per WOO

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

.50 mesh

12,310

.50 mesh

ino mesh

n.2

11,, 360

ICO nie.'h

200 mesh

13,190

200 mesh

10,940

Average

11,379

Rate of water flow 2420 gal. per minute.

PINE HILL COAL COMPANY Pine Hill Colliery

This idant prepares 1,200 to 1,500 tons of coal a day. The silt is screened throngh 3/32-inch perforations and goes by flume to a series of three large settling basins. These basins are in a small valley between the Pine Hill and Oak Hill collieries. The three basins constitute one continuous bank but they are separated by silt embankments. The watei- spreads out over the first bank and deposits part of its silt load; then it overflows into the second bank whei'e a further clarification takes place, and then it flows into the third bank. A marked classifying and cleaning effect is obtained by this treatment. The first two basins were sampled separately by 10-

foot holes over the surface. Screen analyses of tlie two samples are given in the accompanying tables, and show that a large proportion of the tines is carried over into the second basin plus the lower ash part of the coarse material. The average ash content of silt in the tirst basin is 35.4 per cent and in the second basin 22.7 per cent.

An old bank in addition to these basins and continuous with them appears to contain some buckwheat coal and slate. It was sampled separately. Screen analysis showed it to contain considerable proportions of No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 buckwlieat but these sizes arc high in ash.

Analysis of old part of silt hank, 1'ino Hill Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Cliemieal analysis

f

per

'riirough

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Pixeil

IJOund

ol total

matter

earhou

3/16"

7,170

3/16"

3/32"

.bO

8.U

8,5T.O

srii"

3/61"

34S

.bO

9,570

3/64"

50 mesh

.bO

0,320

!jO mesh

100 mesli

.so

8,160

160 jiiesh

260 mesh

S.2

260 mesh

1/. i

2,679

Average

Analysis of first hank that receives silt direct from breaker at Fine

Hill Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Pel' cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Pixeil

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/10"

10,410

Sjlli"

10. 2J

3/61"

9,960

3/64"

50 mesh

10,020

50 mesh

ICO mesh

8,220

100 mesh

200 mesh

6,720

260 mesh

no

s.s

6,100

Average

9,269

Analysis of second hank at Fine Hill Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

12,160

3/32"

3/01"

2*/. 5

12,750

3/64"

50 mesh

12,490

60 mesh

100 mesh

11,420

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,170

200 mesh

0,420

Total

Average

11,312

ST. CLAIR COAL COMPANY St. Clair Colliery

This plant prepares about 1,200 tons of coal a day by the Chance sand floating process. Barley coal and silt go into the separators with the commercial sizes of coal and are subsequently separated from the sand by screens and hydroseparators. Silt is made through a 3/32-inch round-hole screen. The silt is settled in two cylindrical steel tanks that are used alternately; the silt and water are discharged into one Avhile the silt that has previously accumulated in the other is loaded out by a grab bucket operated from an overhead traveling crane. This dewatered silt is used in the briquet plant. The production is about 40 tons a day. The water and silt that overflows these banks is collected in a catchbasin and is elevated to the silt bank by centrifugal pumps. Some water overflows this basin and carries fine silt into Mill Creek.

The silt bank upon which the current silt production from the pumps is stored is on top of a rock bank. The water drains away into and through the rock bank. The silt is completely retained on the bank. Two old silt banks, mixed with culm, were sampled separately with the 10-foot sampling tube. The total tonnage in these two banks is 1,000,000. About 200,000 tons of this is No. 3 buckwheat.

The loss of silt in the pump basin overflow was measured by sampling the water at half-hour intervals during a day's operation and by measuring the rate of flow at the wier-shaped spillway.

Analysis of north hank, St. Clair Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Tlirough

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/lC"

1.8)

10,940

3/11!"

3/-S2"

12.9J

3/33"

3/04"

11,0.30

3/ftl"

50 mesh

10,100

50 mesh

100 mesh

ia.2

8,710

lOO mesh

200 mesh

7,810

200 mesh

m

6,090

Average

W.7

10,1.37

Analysis of south hank, St. Clair Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

10,370

.3/32,"

3/64"

Coo

10,920

3/64"

50 mesh

rt55

11,100

BO mesh

100 mesh

7,810

lOO mesh

200 mesh

7,440

200 mesh

5,830

Average

10,391

Analysis of current silt (dewatered in settling tank), St. Clair

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

ptr

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

Carbon

3/32"

11,020

3/32"

3/W"

11,840

3/W

50 mesh

y-24

11,140

mesh

100 mesh

7,730

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,3i0

200 mesh

bO

47. S

6,969

Total

Average

10,420

FKACKVILLE COAL MINING COMPANY Lucanna Colliery

This is a new operation, which has not developed to normal tonnage. Tlie breaker operates intermittently, and prepared, at the time of sampling, 150 tons of coal a day. The silt passes throngli a 1/10-incli ronnd-hole screen. It is tiuiued out npon a small bank, from which the water rnns off to Schuylkill Kiver. There is no embankment around this accnmnlatiou and much of it washes into the stream.

The current silt production was sampled at half-hour intervals and measured by timing floats in the times that carries it to the bank. The bank was not sampled. It is of recent accumulation and is well represented by the sample of current silt. This sample contained 18 per cent barley coal. Assuming this to be representative of the bank, it is estimated to contain I'lO tons of barle}' coal and 1,200 tons of No. 2 barley.

The rate of silt production was 12 tons per hour during actual operation, or 9G tons per day if the plant Avere operated continuously when the samples were collected. The breaker was actually operating only about one-third of the time, which would make the daily production of silt 32 tons.

Analysis of current silt production, Lucanna Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Tliroiierh

Over

Grams

cent of

per lOOO

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

3/S2"

l.S

1.7/

8,410

3/64"

50 mesh

8,280

50 mesh

100 mesh

Is. 3

7,740

200 mesh

7,230

200 mesh

10. s

6,210

Average

43.2 .56

7,894

♦.Assuming steady operation of breaker. .At time of sampling breaker operated about onethird of time.

Hazel Brook Coal Company

Mary D Colliery

The silt at this plant is screened through 1/16-inch perforations. It is dewatered in a small settling basin with a perforated bucket elevator that delivers it to an inclined drag conveyor. At the time of sampling the dewatered and deslimed silt was being loaded into railway cars for shipment. When it is not shipped it is stocked on a bank which at the time of sampling contained about 50,000 tons. The effluent water from the settling tank carries about 20 tons of fine silt into Schuylkill River each day.

The silt production varies from day to day but averages about 200 tons daily of dewatered shipped silt. The following table of shipments for several days at the time of sampling show the ratio of silt to prepared sizes:

Prepared coal, tons

Silt shipped, tons

Analjjsis of silt hank, Mari/ 1) GoUieri/.

Hize

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Tlirough

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/16"

10,310

3/16"

10,670

3/32"

3/61"

10,970

3/61"

50 mesh

24. T

10,950

GO mesli

100 mesh

10,400

100 mesh

200 mesh

6.(J

9,840

200 mesh

G4

9,160

Average

—

10,696

Analysis of solids in settling tank effluent toater, Mary D Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal

Tons per S hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

1 .50 me.sh

50 mesh ' 100 mesh

100 mesh 200 mesh 200 mesh

Total

Average

11,870

11,490

8,770

10,056

Analysis of vnnrnt silt production (deicatord ) , }far]/ I) Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per UKX)

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

3/32"

12,310

S/32"

3/M"

4o5

11, 6-20

S/M"

50 mesh

.55.S

11,900

SO mesh

ino mesh

33. H

10, Kk.)

lOO mesh

200 mesh

2.S

8,1.30

9,o:io

Total

Average

11,1.30

♦Average daily ghipnients.

LEHIGH COAL AND NAVIGATION COMPANY Coalilale Colliery

This plant handles about 1,000 three-ton cars of mine run coal a day and jircparcs 2,.")0() to 3,000 tons of marketahlc coal. This is prepared over AVilmot jigs, Deisticr-Overstrom taLles, and fDorr classifiers. A inixtnre of No. 4 bnckwheat coal and silt devatercd in a settling tank is sometimes shipped to I he hriqnetting jdant of Navicoal Corporation at Perth Amboy, N. J. This product ;is washed on Deister-Overstrom tables. AAdien it is not shipped it is pumped up into a large silt basin on top of a rock bank. The water drains away into and through the rock bank and apparently carries no silt into the stream.

The overflow water and fine silt, Avhich is estimated at 000 gallons per minute, is discharged into Panther Ci'eek. This water Cannes .238 pounds of solids to the gallon, whicli amounts to 30 tons per day. The loss of marketable coal at this point is negligible, as only 0.6 per cent of it is retained on a 3/64-inch screen. The daily production of dewatered and deslimed silt suitable for shipment is 300 to 340 tons.

The silt bank, upon which the silt was being stored at the time of investigation, was sampled with the 10-foot tube. Holes were placed over the surface on 200-foot centers. The material in this bank is 3.7 per cent No. 3 buckwlieat and 23.0 per cent No. 4 bnckwheat size.

Analysis of silt sample, Coahlaje Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32'

K2.9

9,S0O

3/32!"

3/64"

10,180

3/64"

50 mesh

10,4i-!0

60 mesh

100 mesh

9,030

100 mesh

200 mesh

.,50

200 mesh

8,390

Total

Average

9,9.?7

Analysis of silt lank sample, Coaldale Colliery, cont'd.

Size I Specific gravity analysis

Lighter than

Heavier than

Combined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

Through

Over

Per

cent

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

sm"

3/64"

sjm"

50 mesh

Analysis of solids in effluent water from settling tank, Coaldale

Collier jp

Size

Through

Over

3/64" mesh m'* mc'h 200 mesh i

3/64" 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

7'otal

Average

Screen analysis

of solids Quantity

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Pixed

carbon

3,5.9

23S.0

)

'22.7

10,990

11,210

in,.5io

7,890

9,264

LEHIGH COAL AND NAVIGATION COMPANY Tamaqna Colliery

This collierv produces about 1,200 tons of marketable coal a day. The smallest size of screened coal produced is No. 4 buckwheat made over a 1/32-inch screen. The silt that passes throup;h this screen goes to a settling tank. The deAvatered and deslimed silt is picked up by a perforated bucket elevator and stacked by an inclined scrapor line or loaded into raihA'ay cars for shipment. The silt being shipped at the time of sampling. The rate of silt production ranges from 2 to 5 cars a day. The effluent Avater from this settling tank and some other Avaste Avaters from the breaker, discharge into a marsb which is filled Avith silt to a depth of 2 to 10 feet. This deposit is not banked up in any way and is skirted along side by a small stream that Avashes some of the silt into Panther Creek. Slush water from the jigs and drainage from the rock pockets goes directly to this stream through a vitrified tile launder. The water and solids carried by this flume Avere sampled and measured by timing floats in the stream. The silt tank oAerfloAV Avater Avas sampled but gwf

measured. The jig slush flume carries au average of G85 gallons per minute and discharges 210 tons of solid per day. This is practically all too tine for commercial use and is also high in ash content; 65.4 per cent of it passes throngh a 100-mesh screen and only .0 per cent is retained on a 3/64-inch round hole screen.

Both the silt stock pile and the swamp depo.sit in the creek valley were sampled with the 10-foot sampling tube. The silt bank contains 10,000 tons of barley coal of 28.6 per cent ash content and 128,000 tons of No.> 2 barley of 20.0 per cent ash content. The flat deposit in the valley contains 22,000 tons of barley size and 46,000 tons of Xo. 2 barley size but the material is much higher in ash than that stocked in the bank.

Analysis of solids in water discharged from jigs, Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per S hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/G4" 1 50 mesh

50 me.sh 1 100 mesh

100 me.sh 200 mesh 200 inesh

Total

Average

G

So

6tiS

16. S 4S.G

21

3.(ii

10,400

11,600

10,.5(

8,000

G.(j

9,5.54

Analysis of sample from hank receiving dewatered silt from

tank, Tamaqua Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

por

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

S.6

10,320

3/32"

3/64"

io,;>io

3/G4"

50 mesh

&50

10,810

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,890

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,750

200 mesh

52. S

8,220

Average

10,372

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Lighter than

Heavier than

Combined

1.6 to i.y

float on 1.9

Through

Over*

Per

cent

of

Ash

ot

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

3/32"

Sim"

2.S

3/64"

50 mesh

Analj/sis of sample from sill ha sin rrecivivf/ seiflirif/ lank overflow

toaler, Tamaqua Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

f

3/32"

8,

3/32"

3/64"

10,110

3/64"

50 mesh

9,630

60 mesh

ICO mesh

8,230

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,060

200 mesh

8,010

Total

ino.o

Average

.6,9

9,196

Sizp

Specific prravity analysis

Lighter tlian

LIcavior tlian

Combined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

Through

Over

Per

cent

of

Ash

of

A.sh

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

.3732"

3/64"

.0

Iff. 4

3/64"

50 mesh

17,0

Analjisis of solids in- efflnenl valor from sill deiralcring lank,

Ta ma q u a C o I liery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Tlirough

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/64" .50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mch

100.(5

11,410

11,690

10,8.50

9,090

3/64" 50 me.sb 100 mesh 200 mesh

Total,

Average

10,184

LEHIGH COAL ANH NAHGATION C0:MPANY ATesquelioniii" Colliery

This plant prepares 3,000 tons of coal a day over Wilinot jigs and Deister-Overstrom tables. The silt is screened throngh 1/10 inch holes. The water and silt from the screens and washers goes by tile flume to two centrifugal pumps that lift it up to an extensive silt dejiosit on to]> of a rock bank; 300 to lOO gallons per minute overflow this flume into Xesquehoning Creek. The water pumped onto the bank with the silt drains out throngh the rock bank and joins the creek. It carries very little silt. Small streams trickle out of the base of the rock bank at various points along the crek which skirts the Some of these streamlets are clear and some slightly discolored.

The water that drains from the lip screens and loaded cars carries some silt into the creek. This was sampled and measured by catching the entire stream for a measured time. The rate of flow varied greatly but averaged about 250 gallons per minute. The proportion of solids was 112 jionnds per thousand gallons. This amounts to 1 to 5 tons per day.

The current silt prodiiction was sampled at half-hourly intervals throughout a day's and measured by timing floats in the flume that carries the water and silt to the ]mmps. The rate of water flow was 2,000 gallons per minute and the quantity of silt carried Avas 408 tons a day.

The bank Avas sampled with the 10 foot tube. When this bank Avas started the finest screens in use had 1/8 inch ])erforatiou and some coal even larger than this AAms stocked on the bank Avheu it had no sale. The section of this bank Avhich Avas not covered Avith neAV material was sampled separately. This part of the bank contains 4.3 per cent of ISio. 2 buckAvheat and 11.7 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat. The upper part of the bank contains practically no No. 2 bnckAvheat but has 10.1 per cent of No. 3 coal. The bank contains

1.200.000 tons; of this, probably 25,000 tons is No. 2 buckAvheat and

125.000 tons is No. 3 buckAvheat.

Analysis of sample from loimr old part of silt hank, Nesqueltoning

Colliery.

Sise

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

pt-T

Tlirougli

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

A'olatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

.3/10"

.Co

9,51X1

3/16"

3/32"

29. G

10,100

3/32"

3/04"

9,860

3/61"

50 mesh

:i5.i

Go.O

9,400

50 mesh

100 mesh

lOO mesh

200 mesli

o7.1

.'j7.7

9,030

200 mesh

—

8,200

Average

01. U

9,405

20G

AoZ//,s'/,y of sample from upper, new part of silt hank, Nesquehoning

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

8,790

5/32"

3/C4"

9,570

3/64"

50 mesli

Cis

9,120

50 me.ch

lOO mesh

7,990

ICO laesli

200 mesh

C.O

7,390

200 in'psh

7,010

1,649

Average

8,839

Analysis of current silt production, Nesquehoning Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. (lay

Ash

Sul-

pliur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

bon

3/32"

11,710

3/31"

3/64"

10,800

3/(h"

50 mesh

10,160

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,160

100 mes!'i

200 mesh

(iC.e

9,840

200' mesa

7,250

Total

1,473

?24.

40S.

A-'cage

.(Jo

9,425

Current silt production.

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Lighter than

Heavier than

Combined

i.e to 1.9

float on 1.9

Througli

Over

Per

cent

of

Ash

O'f

Ash

of

Asih

of

Ash

total

3/32"

3/64"

50 mesh

HOUTII T'ENN C0LL1ERTP:S COMPANY Kathryn Colliery

The production of this colliery is about 600 tons a day. The silt passes tlirough a 1/16-inch screen. It is flushed out upon a small bank between the highway and Zerbe Run. The silt is impounded on the Itauk by silt embankments that are ke])t built up above the

surface of the bank. Over tlow water and slime is discharged iuto Zerbe Ivuu. The daily productiou of silt is about 80 to 100 tons. The bank is washed by Zerbe IJuii and some of the silt is carried away in high water seasons. There is an accumulation of 2 to 0 feet of silt in the bed and on the blood of the creek.

Water from the lip screens and loaded cars, amounting to about 150 gallons per minute, is discharged directly iuto Zerbe Kun. This water carries 40 pounds of solids per 1,000 gallons. The bank contains 1,500 tons of barley coal of 10.7 per cent ash content.

Analijais of silt bank aaniplc, Kathri/ii Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulpluir

Volatile

Pi.xed

puuiitl

o£ total

matter

carbon

.5)

12,200

3/10"

3/32"

3.8)

3/32"

3/04"

(it44

11,820

3/64"

50 mesh

12,070

50 fresh

100 mesli

12,410

lOO niesli

ax) niesli

3Uo

12,160

200 inesli

2y

.Co

Co. 2

11,490

Icu.O

Average

12,070

Size

Specific gritvity analysis

J.fighter than

Heavier than

Oonibined

l.G to l.l>

float on 1.9

Through

Over

Per

cent

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Asli

of

A.sh

total

3/64*

50 mesh

100 mesh

38. G

SUSQUEHANNA COLLI EllIES COMEANY Luke Fidler Colliery

This colliery prepares about 1,000 tons of coal a day. The silt is screened through 1/10-inch ]ierforations and is conveyed to the bank in a stream of water. The water s])reads out over the baidi, deposits the coarser part of the silt and runs off ly wooden sluiceway to the creek. It carries away a large proportion of the silt, including 3.0 per cent of barley coal. The breaker water sniiply is pumped from a small basin that receives the mine water and the drainage from the lip screens and loaded cars. A small quantity of water continually overflows the spillway of this catch basin but it carries very little silt. However, at the end of each shift, flood

gates ill the dam are opened and the silt that has accumulated in the pool is flushed out into the creek.

The silt bank that was being used for stocking current silt production, was sampled with 10-foot holes spaced on 100-foot centers. It contains O.ti per cent of barley coal size Avhich is approximately half good coal.

Analysis of solids in run-off loater from silt Luke Fidler

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

of solids Quantity

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Orains

Per

cent o£ total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Pi.xed

carbon

3732" 3/M" 50 mesh lOO mesh 200 ijjesh

Ooo

e.7

1G.5

36'.5

S.l

11,420

11,580

11,470

10,550

9,120

S/iU" CO mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

—

Total

Average

10,898

Analysis of silt hank sample, Luke Fidler Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

mutter

carbon

3/32"

6,520

3/32"

3/04"

7,030

3/04"

,50 mesh

7,610

50 mesli

100 mesh

7,270

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,670

200 mesh

8,150

Total

Average

7,331

Size

Specitlc gravity analysis

l.igliter than

Heavier than

Ciombined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

I'hrough

Over

Per

cell L

cent

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

ASh

total

3/32"

3/64"

50 mesh

LEHIGH VALLEY COAL COMPANY Sayre Colliery

The daily production of this plant is about 1,400 tons. It is part fresh-mined and part bank coal. It is prepared by Lehigh Valley and Simplex jigs and .shaker screens. The silt is screened through 1/lGinch round holes. The silt and water now flows to a 90-foot Dorr thickener, from Avhich the thickened silt is elevateil by inclined scraper conveyor to the silt bank and the clarified water that overflows the thickener goes to the breaker water supply sump or to the creek. Prior to the installation of the thickener in May, 1924, the silt was dewatered in a small settling tank and elevated to a large conical bank. At that time the silt was made through a 3/32-iuch screen.

The thickener receives 1,5G0 gallons of water and silt per minute. The overflow water contains an average of .048 pounds of solids per gallon, or IG tons a day. This material is practically all dust; 93.2 per cent will pass through a 200-mesh screen. The underflow contains 9.G per cent through 200 mesh. The rate of silt production is 200 to 2.50 tons a day. It contains only 0.3 per cent barley coal.

The new silt bank, which is now being used for storing the silt dewatered by tlie Dorr thickener, was sampled by the surface sampling method by using a 10-foot tube. This bank contains only 0.4 per cent of barley coal retained on a 3/32-inch screen.

Analysis of current silt production, Hayre Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

3/32,"

3/61"

21.4)

11,510

3/W"

50 mesh

Img

n,vjt)

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,640

lOO mesh

200 mesh

9,440

200 mesh

6,970

Average

10,527

Analysis of solids in effluent water from 90-foot Dorr tMckener,

Bayre Colliery.

Size

.Screen analysis

Quantity

Chemical

analysis

of solids

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1000

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal.

lir. day

phur

matter

carbon

50 mesh

lOO mesh

.3)

.So

6,080

100 mesh

2i00 mesh

14. 9J

Total

Average

0,080

Rate of water flow 15G0 gallons per minute. Screened products not analyzed.

D— 14

Analysis of silt hank samples, Sayre Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

il

3/32"

3/64"

15.8)

10. a

10,130

3/ 64"

50 mesh

9,950

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,700

lOO mesh

200 mesh

9,230

200 inesh

7,140

Total

100,0

Average

9,309

Size

Speeiiic gravity analysis

l.igliter than

1.0 to

Heavier than

Ciombined float on 1.9

Through

Over

Per

cent

ot

total

Asli

. Per cent of total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

3/32" 3/04" 50 mesh

fe.O

3/32"

3/64"

b.7

LEH IGH VALLEY COAL COMPANY Ceiitralia Colliery

This plant prepares 1,500 tons of coal a day. The silt is made through a screen. The silt was formerly dewatered in the usual form of settling tank and piled up on a high bank by an inclined scraper conveyor. Luring accumulation of this bank 3/32-inch screens were used. The bank is about 200 feet high, is conical in shape, and contains about 000,000 tons of silt and culm. Another smaller culm and silt bank adjacent to this bank was being worked by steam shovel.

When the samples were collected the silt from the breaker was flushed out into a basin which partly surrounds these old culm banks and extends into and fills an old stripping. The water collects in a ])ool at the farthest extremity of this basin, and seeps down througli the culm and rock embankment that retains the silt. There was no surface overflow of water at the time of sampling.

The 600,000-ton culm bank and the new silt basin were sampled separately with the 10-foot sampling tube. The silt basin contains 3.7 per cent of rice size and 6.6 per cent barley, but these sizes are high in ash and only 50 to 75 per cent coal. The culm bank contains

22.000 tons of material of buckwheat size, 15,000 tons of rice size, and

16.000 tons of barley size. This is about 60 per cent recoverable coal of commercial grade.

Analysis of new silt hank, Ccntralia Colliery.

Sereen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/16"

6,790

3/16"

c*v

Co

lO

9,450

i/S-Z"

3/64"

m.o

50 mesh

9,530

50 mesh

lOO mesli

8,470

lOO mesh

200 mesh

7,5oO

200 mesh

6,4fc0

30;10

Average

o0.5

O.G

50. y

8,997

Size

Specitic gravity analysis

J.fighter than

Heavier than

Cionibined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

I'er

Per

cen t

cent

Through

Over

o£

Ash

Of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

3/32"

3/64"

50 mesh

Analysis of old hank sample, Centralia Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

5/16"

5,830

5/16"

3/16"

5,020

3/16"

3/3S"

8,630

3/32"

3/61"

7Gg

10,530

3/64"

50 mesh

10,370

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,010

lOO mesh

200 mesh

6,350

200 mesh

6,330

Total

Average

9,498

Size

Specitie gravity analysis

Lighter than

Heavier than

Combined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

Per

cent

Through

Over

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

3/32"

3/64'

3/04"

50 mesh

HAZLE BEOOK COAL COMPANY Girard Colliery

This plant produces 500 to 000 tons of coal a day from third and fourth mining. It is prepared over Simplex jigs and Deister-Oversti'om tables. The silt that passes through 1/16-inch perforations is settled in a small basin and the water and slime overflows into Mahanoy Creek. The basin was sampled with the 10-foot sampling lube. It contains 1.8 per cent oversize material (over 3/32 inch) but it is very high in ash content.

An old culm and silt bank, put out prior to 1009, has been partly rewashed. The finest screen used at that time carried 3/32-incli holes. This material is mixed with slate and culm. The bank was sampled by 10-foot holes and channel samples taken of exposed vertical sections. It contains 1.8 per cent of nut size material but this is only 20 per cent coal (by visual inspection). The other commercial sizes are high in asli content. This bank contains a total of 90,000 tons of culm and silt.

Analysis of new silt battle sample, Girard Mammoth Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

l.Sl

6,340

3/32"

3/64"

14.8)

3/64"

50 mesh

5,690

50 mesli

100 mesh

5,850

100 mesh

aOO mesh

6,340

200 rnesh

6,690

Total

Average

0,939

Analysis of old hank, silt and culm, Girard Mammoth Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

11/lG"

11/16"

9/16"

9/10"

5/16"

5,570

5/10"

3/10"

5,810

3/16"

3/32"

7,260

3/32"

3/64"

nio

8,230

3/64"

50 mesh

i:iOO

8,100

50 mesh

lOO mesh

7,640

lOO mesh

200 mesh

6,990

200 mesh

6,350

Average

7,625

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than

Coinbineii float on 1.9

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Asli

5/16*

3/16*

s/m"

3/, 32"

3/33"

3/61"

Dodson Coal Company

Locust IMomPaiu Colliery.

This colliery produces about 50,000 tons of coal per mouth. The breaker handles coal from open-cut mininij, underground mining, and a small proportion of bank coal. The silt passes through a screen with some plates punched with 1/10 inch perforations and others with 3/32-inch perforations. The silt that passes through this screen goes to settling tank from which it is elevated to the storage tank by a. perforated bucket elevator and inclined conveyor. The overflow water and slime flows away to the creek. This water was sampled at half-hourly intervals and was measured by timing floats in the flume. The rafe of discharge of silt on the day it was sampled was 71 tons per day. The breaker handled 2,008 tons of raw minerun coal on this day. This was composed of 330 cars from underground Avorkings, 365 cars of strip coal, and 5 cars of bank coal.

The production of deAvatered silt Avas estimated by measuring it in an inifirovised jiocket in the elevator discharge chute. This pocket was first calibrated by AAmighing 5 consecutive pocketsful of silt as it was discharged from the elevator and by taking a moisture sample in order to reduce the final estimate of daily production to the moisture-free basis. The production of deAvatered silt measured in this Avay on the day of sampling was 188 tons, dry. The total production including slimes Avhich Avere carried aAvay by tbe selling tank overfloAv water Avas 25!) tons.

The silt bank has a mai-ginal embankment of silt. Only sufficient water to spread the silt is poured onto the bank Avith it. This drains away through the bank, and carries very little solids into the creek. The bank was sampled Avith the 10-foot' sampling tube. It contains 8.6 per cent of barley and rice size coal Avith 27 to 20 per cent ash content.

Anal axis of .solids in efflueni iratcr from settling/ tank. Locust Mountain Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

0"cr

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

.50 mesh

5.2?

50 mesh

100 mesh

200 mesh

Total

Average

/l23

Analysis of silt hank sample, Locust Mountain Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

. t . u .

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/16"

.8)

10,390

snr,"

3/3-2"

7.8)

3/32'

3/614"

10,330

3/64"

50 mesh

9,710

50 mesh

lOO mesh

7,320

lOO mesh

200 mesh

5,780

200 mesh

7,0t0

Total

Average

9,293

Mahanoy Creek

The largest accumulation of culm and silt in the streams of the anthracite region is between Mahanoy City and Girardville, on Mahanoy Creek. This deposit has accumulated from numerous collieries for over seventy-five years. The creek bottom has been raised and is now kept open hy dredging. The railroad tracks run through Ihe culm and silt deposits on embankments which are a few feet above the general level of the stream. The deposits range from a few feet to 40 feet deep. It was sampled by 10-foot sample holes spaced 500 feet apart up and down the creek, and 100 feet apart transversely of the valley.

Analysis of silt accumulations in Mahanoy Valley near Girardville.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/16"

4.6)

9,060

3/16"

3/32*

i.9)

3/32"

3/614"

10,730

3/64"

50 mesh

10,260

.50 mesh

100 mesh

ai.i

8,970

100 mesh

200 mesh

54,4

6,300

200 mesh

4,320

Average

8,683

Analysis of samples collected in Mahanoy Creek at Gilherton.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/32"

3/64"

10,810

3/32"

11,780

3/64"

50 mesh

11,330

60 mesh

100 mesh

10,1.30

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,020

200 mesh

6,420

Average

.2

10,744

Analijsis of sample collected heUecen Gilberton and Girard Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Olhemical analysis

P t n

per

Ter cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

S/lfl"

7,940

3/10"

3/32"

10,930

3/32"

3/61"

11,120

3/64"

!j0 mesh

10,940

50 inosh

lOO mesh

10,630

mesh

200 mesh

(44

3*2.8

9,620

mesh

6)

2,583

Average

10,506

MADEIKA HILL COAL COMPANY (T110:\rA8 COAL COMPANY) New Poston and Morea collieries

The coal from these collieries is prepared in the breaker at Morea; 1,300 to 1,000 tons of coal per day is shipped from this plant. The raw coal fed to the preparation plant is about 90 per cent freshmined and 10 per cent bank coal. The silt passes through 3/32 inch and 1/16-inch perforations. It is dewatered and deslimed in a 00- foot Dorr thickener. The eftlnent water and slimes from the thickener discharge into Mill Creek. The dewatered silt is conveyed by conveyor to the stock bank or loaded into railway cars for shi])inent. It was being ship])ed at the time of sam|)ling. The dewatered silt as loaded for was sampled by taking a shovelful from the conveyor at half-hourly intervals. The eftlnent water was sampled at half-hourly intervals and measured by timing floats in the flume. The thickener was handling 1,750 gallons of water per minute. The eftlnent water contains .137 pounds of solids per gallon. It carries away 51 tons of fine silt per day. This contains little coal of commercial grade. The average ash content is 49.7 cent, and 02.5 per cent of it is finer than 200 mesh. The production of dewatered silt is 120 to 150 tons a day.

The silt bank was sampled by 10-foot holes on 100-foot centers each way. This bank is apiu'oxiniately rectangular in shape. It has an average width of 200 feet and a lengthy of 650 feet. The is difficult to ascertain as the silt overlies a rock bank. It is, however, at least 10 feet deep, and contains, therefore, in excess of 50,000 tons; 17.2 per cent of the material is rice and barley coal of 22.3 per cent ash content.

Analj/sis of current silt helufj shipped, New Boston Colliery.*

Size

Sereen analysis

Clhemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16'

1.2)

9,270

3/16'

3/32'

1.3S

3/32"

3/64"

10,460

3/6fl'

50 mesh

1,420

9,950

50 mesh

100 mesh

lOO mesh

200 mesh

7,300

200 mesh

4,. 540

3,302

Average

9,150

♦Production of silt is 120 to 150 tons per day.

Analysis of solids in effluent water from Dorr thickener, New Boston

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Clhemical analysis

ppr

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

.50 mesh

9,170

50 mesh

100 mesh

7,940

ion mesSli

300 mesh

.,50

8,720

200 mesh

5,4l0

Total

1,247

Average

6,676

Rate of water flow 1,750 gallons per minute.

Analysis of silt hank sample. New Boston Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Clhemical analysis

t n

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16/'

,54

2.2)

11,240

3/16'

.3/32'

3/64"

11,230

3/64"

50 mesh

10,890

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,770

lOO mesh

200 mesh

8,870

300 mesh

6,970

2,404

Average

io,6io

LEHIGH VALLEY COAL COMPANY Park Colliery

The daily production of this colliery is 1,500 to 1,G00 tons of prepared coal. It is all fresh-mined coal partly from strip-pits. The silt is made through a combination of 8/32- and /IG-inch perforations. It is dewatered and deslinied by a small settling tank. The effluent Avater and silt from this tank Hows into the ci'eek. The settlings are taken up by a perforated bucket elevator and stored on the silt bank. Both products were sampled throughout a day's operation. The rate of production could not be determined.

The old silt and culm bank has been almost entirely taken into the breaker and rewashed. Tlie bank which is now being accumulated contains about 1GU,00U tons of silt. It contains .3 per cent rice coal and 1.4 per cent of barley size.

Analysis of silt hank sample, Park Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

CJiemica] analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Tlirough

Over

Grani.s

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

zjvy

.3)

10,930

3/ 10*'

3/32*

1.4j

3/04"

mi

11,360

3/Gi"

50 mesh

1,262

10,760

60 mesh

lOO mesh

9,580

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,770

200 mesh

0,920

Total

2,923

Aerage

10,515

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Llgher than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier Oh an 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/32"

3/04"

50 mesh

Qo

Analysis of current silt production, Park ColUery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/32'

11,260

3/32"

3/64'

17. Is

3/64'

50 mesh

11,0.32

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,810

lOO mesh

200 mesh

6,790

200 mesh

6,970

1,294

Average

10,573

Production not measured.

Analysis of solids in effluent water from silt tanlc Parle Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Cihemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

bon

3/04"

9,920

3/64"

50 mesh

11,160

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,660

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,680

Tnp.ih

6,840

Total

Average

9,546

Rate of water flow could net be measured.

HAZLE MOUNTAIN COAL COMPANY Black Ridge Colliery

This is an abandoned colliery near Conyngliani. The breaker and entire surface plant, with the exception of railway sidings, has been destroyed. Two banks of line coal and slate remain. The history of these banks could not be obtained. They now belong to the Scranton Electric Company. Both banks were sampled. The east bank, which is a mixture of culm and silt, contains about 3,500 tons of marketable coal of No. 2 buckwheat size and 20,000 tons of No. 3 buckwheat. The silt bank contains only about 400 tons of No. 2 buckwheat and 13,000 tons of No. 3 buckwheat. About 85 per cent of the material of these sizes is clean coal.

Analysis of southicest hanle, Black Ridge Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

CJiemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16'

67. a

10,710

3/16"

3/32"

13.6J

3/32'

3/64"

10,520

3/64"

50 mesh

9,500

50 mesh

lOO mesh

7,710

lOO mesh

200 mesh

4,890

2,306

Average

9,367

Analysis of cast hank, Black Ridge Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Cliemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

'J-hroug-h

Ovei

Gra ms

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16"

.3S.5

9,040

3I'32"

3/32'

Sl&i"

11,760

3/W"

50 mesli

1,017

11,650

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,830

100 mesli

200 mesh

9,130

6,400

200 mes'li

Tot

Ave

al

3,641

11,243

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

I/igher than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3!W

3/32"

Sis?!'

3/64"

Cm

Beaver Meadows.

A very extensive stream deposit has accumulated in the valley of Beaver Creek in the vicinity of Beaver Meadows. This deposit has been accumulating- for many years and is still being added to by the breakers along Beaver Creek above the town of Beaver Meadows. This deposit extends for several miles along the creek valley and ranges from 5 to 30 feet deep. The deposit was sampled by 10-foot sample holes, spaced 500 feet apart up and down the creek, and 100 feet apart transversely of the valley. The part which lies above the highway bridge at Beaver Meadows contains considerable proportions of marketable coal.

Analysis of stream deposit in Bmvcr Creek above highiray bridge at

Bearer Meadows.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. U.

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

per

Through

Over

Grains

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

11/16"

10,410

11/16"

9/ It)"

9/16"

5/16'

11,740

5/16"

3/16"

11,700

3/16'

3/32"

1,340

11,800

3/32"

3/64"

1,100

11,670

3/64"

50 mesh

2,194

n

50 mesh

100 mesh

1,400

0,570

1 OO mesh

200 mesh

4G.9

7,270

200 mesh

Total

8,969

Average

25. tJ

10,778

Analysis of stream deposit in Beaver Creek helow liightcay bridge at

Bea ver M cado ws.

Size

Sereen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Pixed

pound

Throug-h

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

11,680

3/16"

4.T

11,300

3/32"

3/64"

11,910

3/64"

50 mesh

11,970

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,210

lOO mesh

200 mesh

8,050

200 mesh

200'

6,260

Total

3,071

Average

10,904

PARDEE BROTHERS COAL COMPANY Lattiiner Colliery

The daily production of this colliery is 1500 tons. It is prepared over jigs and shaker screens. The finest perforations in the sizing screens are 3/32-inch. The silt and water which pass through this screen goes to a settling- tank from which the silt is removed by a perforated bucket elevator and stocked by an inclined scraper conveyor. The overflow water and slime flows away to the canal. This product was sampled at half-hourly intervals during one days operation and was measured by timing floats in the flume. The rate of water flow is 1000 gallons per minute and it carries away 31.2 tons of fine coal a day. This is practically all slime and the loss of marketable sizes of coal is negligible.

The bank that was being used for storage of current silt at the time of sampling contains about 150,000 tons of which 30,000 tons is of No. 3 buckwheat size. A new Rheolaveur washery was under construction. This plant will reclaim the marketable coal in culm banks on this property. A Dorr thickener is installed for dewatering the silt and clarifying washery water.

Analysis of solids in effluent water from silt settling tank, Lattinier

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Crhemical analysis

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

per

pound

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

3/32"

12,200

3/32"

3/64'

i.oi

3/(M"

50 mesh

12,060

lOO mesh

2/56

11,400

200 mesh

10,400

200 mesh

7,230

1,195

Average

9,782

Anahjsis of silt hank sample, Laftimer ColUet'!/.

Size

Sereen

analysis

Chemical analysis

n. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent ol total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile-

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/32'

11,400

3/32*

3/64"

11,390

3/M"

.50 mesh

10,7.50

100 mesh

8,610

lOO mesh

200 mesh

8,280

200 mesh

48. a

6,810

Total

Average

2,458

10,893

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Ligher than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/32'

3/64"

3/64" 50 mesh

JEDDO HIGHLAND COAL COMPANY Highland No. 2 Colliery

The breaker at this colliery has been shnt down since ]\Iay 1, 1926, and the coal is prepared at the Jeddo No. 5 plant. Old strip pits have been nsed for storage of silt at this colliery. Three abandoned strippings are now practically tilled with fine coal. The oldest ainl largest of these accnmnlations was worked during the 1925-26 sns- ])ension to obtain power plant , fuel. This was sampled by holes over the surface and channel samples on vertical faces exposed in the cnt. During the accnmnlation of this deposit 1/16-inch screens were nsed to make the smallest size of coal shipped bnt no auxiliary silt screen was nsed and mnch oversize coal was discharged with the silt. The bank contains 1.3 per cent of No. 2 buckwheat coal and 9.4 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat.

Analysis of silt bank sample, Highland No. 2 Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Fixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

3/161"

11,620

3/16"

3/32"

12,420

3/32"

3/64"

12,150

3/64"

50 mesh

11,820

.50 mesh

100 mesh

10,990

100 mesh

200 mesh

10,000

200 mesh

8,030

Average

11,4,53

Size Specific gravity anaiysis

Lighter than

Heavier than

Combined

1.6 to 1.9

float on 1.9

Per

cent

Through

Over

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

of

Ash

total

3/32"

3/32

3/64"

50 mesh

JEDDO-HIGHLAND COAL COMPANY Jeddo No. 5 Colliery.

The normal daily production at this colliery is 1000 to 1200 tons. It is prepared by Lehigh Valley jigs and Deister-Overstrom tables. The silt passes through 3/61-inch perforations. The No 4 buckwheat made over this screen and through 3/32-inch, is mixed with some No. 2 and No. 3 buckwheat and is used in the colliery power plant. The silt, jig slush, and practically all waste Avater is collected and passed through an auxilliary sci'een AAdth 3/64-inch perforations before it is flumed out upon the silt bank. No Avater floAvs aAvay from the plant except through this flume line to the silt bank. Drainage from the loading pockets and cars is collected in a sump and pumped back into the breaker for re-use.

The material discharged to the bank Avas sampled at half-hourly intervals and measured by timing floats in the flume. The rate of floAV is 1300 gallons per minute and the silt production is 169 tons a day, of Avhich 1 ton is No. 2 buckAvheat or rice coal and 1 ton is barley coal.

No change in screening practice has been made during the accumulation of the present 400,000 tons of silt bank. The AAmter that runs off the bank enters old strip pits and probably di'ains back into the mine Avorkings and goes through the drainage tunnel to Black Creek.

The bank contains only 1.3 per cent of material of marketable size; 5000 tons of No. 2 and No. 3 buckAAlieat.

Anali/sis of current silt, Jeddo No. 5 Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16" 3/32" 3/64" 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

i.oi

38.6J

11,670

11,500

10,770

10,260

7,130

3/16" 3/32" 3/64" 50 mes'h 100 mesh 200 mesh

Total

Average

10,542

Size

Sjecitio gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than

Combined float on 1.9

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

Per

cent

of

total

Per

cent

of

total

Ash

3/61" 50 mesh

4.G

To.O

3/61"

Aitalijsi.s of honk sample, Jeddo Xo. 5 CoUierij.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16"

11,. 530

3/16"

3/32"

l.lj

3/32"

3/64"

11,310

3/61"

50 mesh

10,960

50 mesh

100 mesh

l.SO

9,580

100 mesh

200 mesh

.So

8,230

200 mesh

6,560

Total

iverage

10,320

JEDDO IIIGnLAXD COAL COMPANY No. 4 Colliery

This colliery pi'oduces altout l.lOO tons of coal a day. The sill screen contains plates with l/Kl-inch and 3/64-inch perforations. The coal that passes through 3/16-inch holes and over this silt screen, is nsed in the colliery power plant. The average screen analysis of the boiler plant fuel is as follows:

Screen analysis of boiler plant fuel at Jcddo-Iliyhlan d Coal Co.

iVo. 4 Colliery.

Trade name Size Per cent

of

total

Pice or No. 13 buckwheat

over 3/16

Barley or No. 3 buckwheat

3/32 to 3/16

No. 2 barley or No. 4 buckwheat

3/64 to 3/32

Silt

through 3/64

The silt is sometimes flushed into the mine workings and sometimes flnmed ont on an extensive .settling bank, which is about 3000 feet long by 900 feet wide and contains approximately 300,000 tons of silt. The water is not retained niton the bank by embankments but spreads ont over it, depositing most of its silt." It then meanders through a wide marsh below the bank and carries the very tine silt with it. Some of the water finally draws back into the mine" workings

and some of it goes into Black Creek. The quantity of water discharged upon tlie bank from the breaker is 1900 gallons per minute. This carries 260 tons of silt per daj: 1.7 per cent, or 4.4 tons of this is barley coal. The bank contains 4.6 per cent of barley coal. This amounts to 14,000 tons.

The water whicli drains from the lip screens and loaded cars is collected in a small catch basin and is pumped back into the breaker.

Analysis of hank sample, Jecldo No. Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/32"

10,030

Si32"

3/64"

11,230

Sim"

50 mesh

10,880

SO mesh

100 mesh

9,510

100 mesh

£00 mesb

7,900

200 mesh

6,650

Total

Average

10,421

Analysis of hank sample, Jeddo No. Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B f

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/32"

11,600

3/3T

3/64"

11,700

3/64"

50 mesh

11,150

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,570

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,620

200 mesh

6,820

Average

10,718

Size

1 Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/32"

3/64"

3/64" 50 mesh

Jeddo Highland Coal Company

No. 7 Colliery

This colliery produces 800 to 1100 tons of coal a day. It is prepared over jigs and concentrating tables. All the silt and water from the jigs and sizing screens is collected and screened through 1/16-inch perforations. The silt and water that passes through this screen flows into a settling tank. The silt is picked np by a perforated bucket elevator and hauled to a stock bank. The production of dewatered silt is 120 to 150 tons a day. The overflow water and slime from the settling tank is flumed to Black Creek. The rate of water flow is 1900 gallons per minute. It carries away 51.6 tons of fine coal in a day. None of this loss is of marketable size; 83.1 per cent is finer than 100 mesh. The total production of silt, including that which is dewatered and stored on the bank, and that which flows away to Black Creek is 170 to 200 tons a day. The coal that passes through the rice coal screen and over the silt screen is used for boiler plant fuel. The drainage water from the loaded cars and lip screens flows into an old strip pit from which it drains into the mine workings.

At the time of sampling some silt from the stock pile was being loaded for shipment. The bank coal is .5 per cent rice coal, 3.0 per cent barley coal, 26.7 per cent No. 2 barley and 68.9 per cent silt.

Analysis of bank sample, Highland Ho. 7 Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16'

.5)

11,860

3/ie*

3/32T

3/64'

50 mesh

11,240

60 mesh

100 mesh

9,600

100 mesh

200 mesh

R9.3

5,2.30

200 mesh

—

4,560

Total

Average

10,69.3

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/.3?'

3/64'

.3/64' 50 mesh

D— Ib

Analysis of solids in effhietit water from silt deioatering tank. Highland No. 7 Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

'Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

carbon

50 mesh 100 mesh 2CO mesh

10,810 9,500 S,S60

BO mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

Total

Average

7,480

Hazle Beook Coal Company

Hazle Brook Colliery j

The output of this colliery averages 1,000 tons a day. The raw coal is mined in the stripping at Porter's swamp. It is prepared over Simplex jigs and shaker screens. The silt passes through 1/16-inch [i perforations. It is washed into an abandoned strip-pit near the breaker and the water drains into old underground workings. The water and silt discharged from the breaker was sampled at half-hour intei'vals and was measured by timing floats in the silt flume. The rate of water flow was 1,425 gallons per minute and the silt production was 159 tons a day. Only 0.4 per cent of the silt discharged is of commercial size (over 3/32-inch screen).

It was impossible to estimate the tonnage of silt in storage because the depth of the strip-pit is unknown.

Analysis of hank sample, Hazle Brook Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

carbon

3/32-

.6)

S/.32'

3/64'

18.0S

10,780

3/64"

.50 mesh

10,290

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,. 520

100 mesh

'00 mesh

8,830

200 mesh

5,870

Average

8,860

Analysis of bank sample, Hazle Brook Colliery.

size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Dot

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grama ol total

Ash

matter

carbon

3/16')

S/16"

3/32'l

10,150

3 '32"

3/64'

681 26.4

19,0

11,950

3/64"

.50 mesh

970 37.6

11,900

.tO mesh

100 mesh

602 19.4

]1,'j50

100 mesh

200 mesh

S,i30

200 mesh

6,260

Total

2,581 100.0

Average

11,210

HAZLE BROOK COAL COMPANY U'pper Lehigh Colliery

This plant handles a mixture of fresh-mined and bank coal. The daily production is about GOO tons of prepared coal and 150 to 200 tons of silt. At the time of sampling the silt was being loaded into railway cars for shipment. The shipped silt passes through a shaker screen with some segments punched with 3/32-inch holes and some with 1/16-inch holes. It is dewatered by a small settling tank and loaded by a perforated bucket elevator. The overflow water and slime goes down the creek and has built up a shallow silt deposit on the flood plain of the creek for at least mile below the breaker. When the desHmed silt is not loaded directly into cars it is stocked by an inclined scraper conveyor and loaded out later as market conditions warrant. This stock bank contained about 30,000 tons at the time of sampling.

Analysis of bank sample, Upper Lehigh Colliery

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B t. u.

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

per

Through

Over

Grama

of total

Ash

Suiphur

matter

carbon

3 '32"

.,50

11,690

3. '32'

3/64"

24, 7(

3'64"

.50 mesh

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,310

100 mesh

200 mesh

8. ,5

7,440

200 mesh

Total

1,742

Average

10,829

AVJ<]ST ENJ) COAL COMPANY Mocanaqua Colliery

This plant prepares 1700 tons of coal a day over Simplex and Menzies jigs. The silt passes through 1/16-inch perforations. No. 4 buckwheat is made through 1/8 and over 1/16 inch perforations. This size is also stocked on the silt bank when it is unmarketable. The silt (and No. 4 buckwheat when stored) is dewatered in a settling tank with a perforated bucket elevator which delivers the dewatered silt to an inclined stocking conveyor. The bank has been accumulated since 1923 and there has been no change in the size of screens during that time. This is one of the collieries at which the preliminary study of sampling methods Avas made. A detailed descrijdiou of the bank and the methods of sani])ling have been given. The bank contains 0.9 per cent (500 tons) of No. 2 buckwheat coal and 16.8 per cent (8500 tons) of No. 3 buckwheat.

The silt settling tank overflows 325 gallons of water per minute. This flows into Susquehanna River and carries about 4 tons of fine solids a day. No coal of commerical grade is lost with this water; 80.9 per cent of it will pass through a 100-mesh sieve. The current silt production is about 150 tons a day.

Water draining from the cars, lip screens, and loading pockets flows directly into the river. It carries a comparatively large load of solids and some coal of marketable size.

Analysis of solids in breaker water, Mocanaqua Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B - 1 . u .

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

11/16"

11/lfi'

9/16"

J)'/16"

5/16'

6/Ifi"

3/16'

2.>

3/16"

3/32'

11 ,800

3/32"

.3/61'

11,600

3/64"

50 mesh

10,880

,60 mesh

lOO mesh

10,1.30

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,860

200 mesh

;;U.7

8,420

Total

2,476

Average

Analysis of combined bank sample, Mocanaqua Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Cliemical analysis

3 t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Aolatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16"

12,290

3/36'

3/32*

3/32"

11,660

11,390

11,180

3/64"

.50 me.'h

200 mesh

.K7

9,500

200 mesh

8,. 570

Total

Average

11,122

Size Sp-cific fjravity aiialys-is

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.0 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined fli.at on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per Cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/lC'

3/:S'

Is. 9

2S.7

S7.G

1H.5

3'32"

S/61'

S7.7

.3/04'

.50 mesh

21. S

S4.1

50 mesh

100 mesh

')6 . 7

S.2

Analysis of soUils silt tank overfllotv iratcr, Mocanaqua CoUiery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

pri KXX)

per 8

.Ash 1 Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

S/'S-i-

3/32-

3/01'

.y$2

20.4 .83

11,660

3 04"

50 mesh

100 mesh

So

.67 J

100 mesh

2U0 mesli

24.1 .18

11,070

200 mesh

—

a-20

57. S

41.0 .9b

b.b

8,09o

Average

33.2 1 .M

9,460

SUSQUEHANNA COLLIERIES CO:\[PANY Nanticoke No. 7 Colliery

The Miaiii preparation ])lant on this property handles about 3, GUO tons of coal a day. There is also a wasliery that handles bank coal only. From 4 to 5 cars of steam coal are px'oduced each day at the washery. This plant handles only the steam sizes in the bank-run coal. The domestic sizes are prepared in a Chance sand dotation plant operated by a leasing company. The steam coal screened out of the teed to the Chance separators is treated in the jig wasliery.

The fresh-mined coal handled in the main breaker is prepared over jigs and shaker screens, the lines of which has 3/32-iuch perforations. The silt that passes through this screen is deslinied by a small settling tank and inclined scraper conveyor. The water and fine silt that overflow this tank are discharged into the creek. The coarser deslimed silt removed from the tank by the conveyor is used for boiler plant fuel. The .silt production is 350 to 450 tons a day, including the fines discharged to the creek. About 200 tons per day which is produced at the (lien Lyon Colliery is also used at this power plant. A screen analysis of this fuel made from a representative sample from the stock pile at the power plant showed it

to be a composite of 1.8 per cent No. 2 buckwheat, 22.1 per cent No. 3 buckwheat, and 76.1 per cent deslimed silt from which practically all the dust finer than 100 mesh is removed by the settling tank. The silt produced at the washeiw varies from 300 to 500 tons a day, and is deslimed by a similar tank and stocked in a bank for a reserve supply of boiler plant fuel. The power plant operator reported satisfactory operation with this fuel except when it contained an excessive quantity of water. A sample of the ash pit refuse obtained from two cars produced on the day of sampling contained 46.5 iper cent combustible material.

Silt was being discharged into Newport Creek in considerable quantity at three points (1) waste water from pockets and lip screens in the breaker; (2) overflow of silt desliming tank; (3) waste water from the washery.

The discharge from the breaker could not be measured. It carries 52 grams of silt to the gallon. The overflow from the washery silt desliming tank joins with the breaker silt and passes through the settling tank that prepares this product for boiler fuel. This bank overflows 82.4 tons of solids per day. There is no coal of commerical size in it. The washery discharges 400 gallons of water per minute and carries away about 16 tons of fine solids a day, The total quantity of silt handled daily at this colliery is 800 to 1100 tons. The boiler plant uses 500 tons a day.

There were at one time very extensive accumulations of culm and silt on this property but it has been very largely cleaned up. The culm bank which remains contains about 30,000 tons of recoverable coal and the silt bank contains 35,000 tons of which, roughly, 350 tons is No. 2 buckwheat, and 3,000 tons is No. 3 buckwheat.

Analysis of holler plant fuel, — fine coal from No. 7 hrealcer, No. 7 icashery and Olen Lyon breaker.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

ol total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16'

11,430

3/lfT

3/32'

11,950

s/sa*

3/64'

11,710

3/S4'

50 mesh

10,920

50 mesh

100 mesh

8,500

100 mesb

200 mesh

7,310

200 mesh

7,090

Total

Average

11,300

Analysis of holler fuel dewatering tank overpow water — silt front Xo,

7 breaker washery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. U.- pel

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent oi total

Pounds per 1000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

V'ola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/M'

12,490

3/M*

50 mesh

4oy

o.y

12,340

50 mesh

loo mesh

11,86u

mesh

200 mesh

bi.y

200 mesh

7,430

Average

to.o

10,429

Analysis of solids from washery waste water (bank coal), Xo. 7

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Through

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Pounds per 1,006 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

3/04" 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

43. a

3/64' 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

Total

Average

Chemical analysis

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

ptr

pound

M.2

10,290

10,520

9,930

6,6s0

9,889

Analysis of silt hank sample, Xo. 7 Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16*

1S.6

11,880

3/16*

3/32*

S.2

20,2

11,630

3/32*

3/M'

11,330

3/M'

50 mesh

10,960

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,90iJ

lOO mesh

200 mesh

9,0T0

200 mesh

7,140

Total

Average

10,232

Size

Specific gravity

analysis

Combined float

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

on

Per cent

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

S/U."

3/32,"

50 mesh

GEOKGE E. LEE COAL COMPANY Chauiicey Colliery.

This plant prepares aboiit 550 tons of coal from nnclergronnd and open cnt operations in the Eoss and Red Ash beds. Also some bank coal is nsnallv mixed w'ith the fresh-mined coal in the breaker feed. The coal is ])repared by the Chance sand flotation process in two 7I/2 foot cones either of Avhich will handle the entire tonnage of the plant. Normally only one machine is operated at a time when treating fresh-mined coal. All sizes from No. 1 buckwheat to egg are treated together. The smaller sizes are not washed. After passing through the cones the washed coal ])asses over a shaker with 3/32 inch perforations to remove silt and sand and these are separated by a 1/16-inch screen. The sand and fine silt passing through this screen and through the finest screen of the sizing shakers are collected in a round tank 13 feet in diameter which is a final separator for the sand and silt. The overflow water from this tank and the silt from the sizing shakers are filmed to a settling basin. The silt screened out of the mine run coal before treatment is discharged upon a separate bank.

The material in both these silt lines was sampled at half hourly intervals during one day of operation and the rate of flow was measured by timing floats. The rate of silt discharge from the primary shakers was 478 tons a day. This contained only 0.2 per cent of oversize coal. The fines discharged from the washed coal sizing shakers and Ihe sand sump amounted to 12 tons a day. This carried 0.8 per cent oversize on a 3/32-inch screen. The sand sump alone overflows an average of about 200 gallons of water per minute and carrying 10 grams of solids per gallon. This totals one ton of coal a day.

The culm bank which contains 50,000 tons has been burned over and is overlain with 6 to 12 feet of rock. It is being uncovered by a clam-shell bucket excavator and is being put through the preparation plant. The old silt bank which was accumulated before the property was acquired by the George P. Lee Coal Company contains 1 per cent of No. 2 buckwheat coal and 10.8 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat coal of 18.0 per cent ash. This means approximately 5,000 tons of steam coal of the.se sizes.

Analysis of current silt from sizing shakers, Chauncey Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

R f n

por

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fi.xed

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

3/32;"

Ij

11,050

3/&1"

3.2S

3/W"

50 mesh

10,. 370

50 mesh

100 mesh

IS.l

6,740

100 mesh

mesh

4S.0

7,480

200 mesh

.(50

6,110

Average

9,. 305

Analysis of current silt from desliming shakers, Chauncey Colliery.

Size

Screen

malysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

Fixed

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

carbon

3/32"

10,440

3/32"

3/64"

50 mesh

9,459

50 mesh

100 mesh

9,030

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,110

200 mesh

6,150

14Ss.0

47. S

Average

Size I Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

.3/64" .50 mesh

in. 5

2o.5

Analysis of )ino silt hank. Chauncey Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fi.xed

carbon

3/:32"

9,490

3/32"

3/64"

9,800

3/64"

50 mesh

.(30

10,430

60 mesh

100 mesh

1,150

o.sin

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,910

200 mesh

7,310

Total

4,915

Average

9,533

Analysis of old hank, Chauncey Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per oent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Throug'h

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

1.0)

11,760

87 16"

3Isz"

Si32"

Sim"

11,820

3761"

50 mesh

11,4-30

50 mesh

100 mesh

11,020

100' mesh

200 mesh

9,440

200 mesh

.8

7,310

1,500

Average

10,906

Chance process performance on coal at Chauncey Colliery.

Raw coal

Cleaned coal

Refuse

Specific

Per cent

gravity

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

Stove

Float on 1.0

f

1.6 to 2.0

33.5a

19.7 J

Sink 2.0

72.0b

Nut

Float on 1.5 - -

1.5 to 1.6 — -

1.6 tO' 1.75

1.75 to 1.90

Sink in 1.9

Pea

Tloat on 1.6 .. — —

1.5 to 1.6

1.6 to 1.75

8.64 '

1.75 to 1.9

Sink 1.9

Buckwheat

Float on 1.5

1.5 to 1.6

1.6 to 1.75 --

1.75 to 1.9

Sink in 1.9

2'. 55

Rice

Float on 1.5

1.5 to 1.6

1.6 to 1.75

1.75 to 1.9

Sink in 1.9

Barley

Float on 1-5

1.5 to 1.6

1.6 to 1.75

1.75 to 1.9

Sink in 1.9

(J. 6-1. 75) b (Sink 1.75)

PITTSTON COAL MINING COMPANY ILulloy Colliery.

Thi.s colliery produces 400 tons of coal a day. It is prepared over jigs and shaker screens. The silt [masses through .3/32-inch perforations and is flushed out upon a settling hank with water. There is no visible drainage of water from this bank. Tt is commonly believed that the water which is discharged with the silt seeps back into the mine workings through fissures. The rate of water flow in the silt line was measured by timing floats and samples were taken at half-hourly intervals for one day. The silt production is 45 tons a day of which 6.7 tons is oversize coal of commercial grade.

The greater part of the bank was built up before the property came into possession of the present operator and no information on its history could be obtained. It appears to be very old and was originally built up as a settling basin on which the silt and water was iinpounded by silt embankments rai.sed as the deposit grew. It is now deeply eroded and partly overlain by rock banks. It was sampled by holes in the surface and channel samples of exposed sections. It contains 2.0 per cent (.5,000 tons) of No. 2 buckwheat and 10.4 per cent (26,000 tons) of No. 3 buckwheat coal of 24.1 per cent ash content.

Analyses of current silt, Hadley Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

por

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

oar-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

.3/16'

12,400

S/.32'

7,50

11,030

.3/32'

3/64'

1,412

12,020

3/M"

50 mesh

1,360

11,73.)

.50 mesh

KKi mesh

S30

09. S

11,420

ino mesh

200 mesh

10,440

mesh

Total

5,3S2

Average

—

11,290

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/16'

3/32"

3/32*

3/64'

fl.l

c.

ia.2

Analjjsin of Kilt bank. Hadley Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

ppr

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

10,990

3/lR'

.3/32"

10,970

;t/32'

.3/64'

1,668

11,270

.3/64'

50 mesh

2.68S

11,160

&) nif'sh

100 me.'ih

1,320

10,410

100 nifsh

200 mesh

,368

9,330

200 me.ah

,50.4

8,110

7, Sco

lOO.O

Averago

10,777

LEHIGH & WILKES-EAERE COAL COMPANY Buttomvoorl ColHei'y

This colliery maintains an 'average daily production of 1500 tons of coal prepared by a combination wet and dry breaker. The silt jjoes thronfjh a 3/32-inch screen. It is mixed with crushed jij:: refuse and flushed out upon an extensive conical bank, from which the excess Avater flows away to the river, and carries some fine silt. The slate is pulverized to suitable size for mine fillinji; and stocked with the silt to be used for fiushinc: when proper facilities can be obtained. A sample Avas collected at half hour intervals during a days operation. At times Avhen a sample Avas being taken the Hoav of crushed slate Avas shut off so as to obtain the normal silt production in the sample alone; later examination of the sample shoAved that some slate found its Avay into the flume in spite of this precaution. For this reason the screen analysis is not truly representative of the silt available from this The rate of Avater flow in the silt flume Avas 1180 gallons ])ei- minute. It carries 185 tons of silt a day. Some Avatei- Avhich drains from the cars and loading plant is discharged directly into the creek. The rate of Aoav varies greatly but it AA'as estimated to average about 200 gallons ]>er minute. It contains 30 grams of solids to the gallon, Avhich amounts to about 3 tons a day.

An old silt bank dejmsited before this pro])erty Avas acquired by the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Goal Coui])auy Avas sampled by the surface method Avith holes spaced on 50 foot centers OA'er the top and sides of bank. It contains about 6,000 tons of No. 3 buckAvheat coal of 16.3 per cent ash content.

of old silt hank, Buttonwood Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/lG"

u/lfj

3/10"

1G.3

12,.3'0

3/32"

14. 0)

3/Gt'

1,800

Is.O

11,010

a/64"

1,980

:B.8

10,1

11, U8(>

511 mesh

100 mesh

10,07u

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,8;J0

200 mesh

7,240

U'otal

.5,880

Hh) . 0

Average

11,172

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Combined float

Lighter

than 1.0

1.0 to 1.9

Heavier

than 1 .9

on 1.9

Through

Over

Per cent

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

A.sh

.5/10"!

3/10"/

5/lG"

7S.0

87. S

3/10"

3/32"

3/32"J

3/04"

3/64"

50 mesh

Analysis of current silt. Buttonwood Colliery.*

Size

Screen analysis

(Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Tlirough

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

bon

.5/16" 3/10" 3/32" 3/64" 50 mesh lOO mesh 200 mesh

S20

1,470

1,720

(i.O

Is. 3

40. S

,59.0

.m

4,240

5,5S0

12,0Co

11,630

7.17U

3/.12" 3/64" .50 mesh 100 mesh

Average

10,440

♦Contains some slate wliioli was not all bypassed during sampling. The high ash content of the large size.s i.s probably ilue to slate which is mixed with silt. The slate is crushed and flushed on to ellie link with the silt. Tlie slate was shut off during sampling periods but some large pieces were found in sample.

LEHIGH & WILKES BAKRE COAL COMPANY Stanton Colliery

This colliery produces 2500 to 3000 tons of prepared coal a day. It is cleaned by a combination of wet and dry processes. The silt that passes throngh 3/32-inch holes is nsed for mine filling except at periods when the bore holes are not in operation and part of the silt is diverted to the creek. The current silt was sampled and measured in the flume that carries it to the bore holes. Sample increments were collected at half hour intervals for one day. The rate of silt production was 304 tons a day. It contained 6.2 per cent of oversize coal, mostly No. 3 buckwheat in size. This loss of marketable coal amounts to 19 tons a day. The ash content is 1 6.5 ]>er cent.

A 150,000 ton bank of silt and culm was accumulated before the imactice of undei-ground flushing was adopted. A ])ortion of this bank, amounting to approximately 50,000 tons, is fine silt and 100,000 tons is a mixture of fine culm, silt, and pea size slate. These two parts of the bank were sampled separateljc Both contain considerable proportions of good steam coal. The aggregate is about 6,000 tons of No. 2 buckwheat and 19,000 tons of No. 3 buckwheat.

AnaJi/sif! of silt Ixtnk, Htuuton Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

l.Sl

12,760

3/10"

S/S'l"

1,113

16. 9 j

3/32"

3/34*

12,380

50 mesli

100 mesh

il,170

lOO mesh

200 mesh

10,220

200 mesh

8,570

1,701

Average

11,804

Analysis of calm hank (containing yea slate).

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

ITirough

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

3/32*

12,420

3/32"

3/64"

2,132

12,380

3/61"

.50 mesh

1,960

11,940

50 mesh

100 mesh

11,130

lOO mesh

200 mesh

10,600

200 me.sh

—

9,070

Total

6,800

Average

11,810

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Combined float

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier

than 1.9

on 1.9

Through

Over

Per cent

of total

ifsh

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

3/16'

3/32'

3/64'

63. T

3/64'

50 mesh

Analysis of current silt (used as fiUiny), Stanton Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

3/16'

1.2)

13,470

3/16"

3/32'

3/64'

1,225

12,410

3/64'

50 mesh

1,396

12,260

50 mesh

lOO mesh

24,0

11,170

lOO mesh

200 mesh

9,940

200 mesh

4,688

1,121.

Average

11,418

LEHIGH & WILKES-BAKRB COAL COMPANY Hollenback Colliery

This plant prepares from 1000 to 1200 tons of coal a day in a combination wet and dry breaker. Egg and stove coal produced by the rolls is hand picked and cleaned by spiral pickers. All the smaller sizes and the egg and stove sizes, which pass through the mud-screen are jigged. The smallest size shipped is No. 3 buckwheat or barley coal which is made over a 3/32-iuch round-hole screen. The silt that passes through this screen is used for mine tilling. The daily silt production is 125 tons. Screening tests made by the company on several cars of mine run coal, before crushing, showed it to contain an average of 8.0 per cent of silt through a 3/32-inch round hole screen.

All the silt, slate, ashes, and waste water are now flushed into the mine. This practice has been followed since 1900 except for a short period during a recent tire which interfered with operation of the bore holes. During this period a small bank of about 10,000 tons was accumulated. This bank was sampled with the 4-foot tube. It contains 1.1 per cent of No. 2 buckwheat coal and 0.9 per cent No. 3 buckwheat — both of comparatively low ash content.

Prior to 1900, all sizes below No. 1 buckwheat were discarded. A 100,000 ton bank of this culm mixed with some ashes and slate is still uiiworked. The coal is mixed with ashes in such a way that cleaning would be difficult. This bank coutains 2.2 per cent of No. 2 buckwheat coal (2,200 tons) and 29.9 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat (29,900) tons which are clean enough to market without treatment. The larger sizes in the bank are much higher in ash owing to the presence of cinders and would be hard to recover in condition.

There is no discharge of waste water or line coal from this property.

Analysis of neiv silt hank, Hollenhack Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Plxed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

oi total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/10"

12,780

3/ 10"

3/32"

12,910

3/32."

3/01"

1,100

O'. 4:

12,640

3/04"

50 mesh

2,010

12,200

50 inesli

100 mesh

0'.4r

11,130

too mesh

200 mesh

9,920

200 mesh

8,072

Total

' 1

Average

11,832

Analysis of current silt used as filling.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

]jer 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr.

phur

matter

bon

day*

3/32"

(K)

G.O

13,010

3/33"

.3/64"

12,820

3/64"

50 mesh

12,330

50 mesh

lOO mesh

11,030

lOO mesh

200 mesh

9,700

G3.7

7,870

1,010

Average

11,428

Discharge water could not be measured.

Analysis of culm and silt hank, Eollenhack Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Filed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

ol total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carhon

11/16"

.6*

Il/IB*

.3t

y/16"

2S

y/10'

5/16'

5/16"'

3/16"

1,790

12,660

3/10'

3/3-2'

2,430

20. y

12,690

3/3-2'

3/04"

1,450

7b. 4

12,540

3/(M'

50 mesh

b.7

12,090

50 mesh

loo mesh

49U

10,830

100 mesh

200 mesh

5,990

200 mesh

8,140

Average

12,235

Size

Speeitie gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier

than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

9/16'

5/16"

5/16'

3/16'

3/32"

8b. 6

15,8

3/32*

3/64'

50 mesh

slate and ashes.

tHand picked, 39 per cent coal, 6], per cent slate and ashes.

Kingston Coal Companat.

No. 4 Colliery.

This plant prepares 1,000 tons of coal a day, by a combination of dry and wet proces.ses of treatment. The egg, stove and nnt sizes are cleaned by Emory pickers and spirals and the liner .sizes are cleaned by jigs; 1,000 gallons of water per mintite is nsed in the washery. No waste water Hows away from the breaker. All the unsaleable products, including the silt which is screened through holes, the slate and the sludge from tlie dust collecting tower, is Hushed into the mine for tilling. This practice has been followed since 1907.

The silt production is about 120 tons per day. It was 'impossible to sample the clean silt without some admixture of slate from i the tine coal jigs. The screen analysis, therefore is not representative of the silt ithat could be produced at this plant if it were kept separate. The dust in the dry plant is collected by suction hoods and is discharged into a spray tower- in which the dust is precipitated

D— 16

and carried to the bore holes by a stream of water; 90 gallons of water per minute flows from this spray tower and carries 18 grams of dust to the gallon. This amounts to 1700 pounds per day.

Analysis of current silt, containing some slate, Kingston No. 4

Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of totai

Ash

Sulpliur

matter

carbon

5/16"

1,133

6/16'

3/16"

8,710

3/10'

3/32"

11,830

s/sr

3/64'

2,360

11,820

3/04'

50 mesh

2,320

11,210

60 mesh

lOO mesh

1,216

10,370

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,550

20ft Tppfih

8,100

8,270

Average

10,304

TEMPLE COAL COMPANY Harry E Colliery

This plant prepares 1300 to 1500 tons of coal per day. The silt passes through 1/16-inch perforations. It is generally used for mine filling but it is often flushed out upon an extensive bank upon which the water is impounded by a cinder embankment. Solids appear to be completely retained on the bank. There is no surface runoff. The water filters out through the embankment or back into the mine workings.

This bank was sampled by the surface sampling method with 4-foot holes on 200 foot centers. It contains only 1.3 per cent of oversize material or larger than 3/32-inch.

x4bout 200 gallons per minute of waste water from loading pockets and cars flow away from this breaker. This carries about four tons of solids per day to the river.

Analysis of solids in waste water from breaker, Harry E Colliery.

Size

.Screen

inaiysis

Quantity of solid.®

Chemical analysis

B. t. U, per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Poimds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/32'

11,560

3/32'

3/64"

11,320

3/64"

50 mesh

24."

10,970

mesh

100 mesh

10,320

mesh

200 mesh

10,060

7,690

Average

9,726

Analysis of hank sumyle, Hurry E Colliery.

Size

Screen aualysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

Per cent

Volatile

Pixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

ot total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16"

Off. 2

11,080

3/16"

3/32"

l.lj

l,3b0

.Go

11,490

a/w"

50 mesh

2,010

11,2l0

.TO mesh

100 mesh

1,490

10,960

low mesh

200 mesh

9,810

ajO mesh

1,150

7,19*

6,900

lUO.O

Average

G4.9

10,187

Size

Specitic gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

l.C to 1.9

Heavier

than 1.9

Combined Uoat on 1.9

Per cent of total

.-Ish

Per cent ot total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent ot total

Ash

3/32"

3/04"

3/64" 50 mesh

G5.4

81 ,5

TEMPLE COAL COMPANY Eorty Fort Colliery

The coal hoisted at this colliery is prepared at the Harry E plant of the same comiiany. I'l-ior to .Itinuary 1, l!j2o it was prepared in a separate breaker near the hoisting shaft and the silt, screened throngh 3/32-inch holes, was Unshed out upon an extensive settling basin surrounded by a rock and cinder embankment. The water drained away throngh this bank and linally found its way to Susquehanna River. This bank contains about 3,000 tons of material of No. 2 buckwheat size and 8,000 tons of No. 3 buckwheat size but it is only 30 to 50 ]>er cent coal.

Analysis of hank sample Forty Fort Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B . L . u .

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Crams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/10"

0,3ff0

3/16"

3/32"

Igo

9,270

3/32"

3/04"

,60

11,070

3/04'

50 mesh

1,180

10,710

50 mesh

lOO mesh

1,330

10,010

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,950

200 mesh

6S0

0,270

4,048

Average

5S.7

9,442

PENNSYLVxVNIA COAL COMPANY No. G Colliery.

This plant prepares about 2500 tons per day over AVilmot simplex jigs. The silt is screened throngh 1/16-inch holes. Silt and waste water from the jigs, loading pockets and cars go by a long flume to the creek. This stream avus sampled at half hour intervals throughout a days opei-alion and the rate of IIoav Avas measured by timing floats. The rate of water flow was 1100 gallons per mihnte and the qnanlily of silt carried was 240 tons per day.

The silt produced at this colliery Avas formerly stocked in an extensive bank Avhich uoav contains 300,000 tons. No information could be obtained on the siee of screens in use during accnmnlatiou of this bank but it apparently received a part, at least, of the production of No. 3 buclvAvlieat coal. The older south portion of the bank is visibly coarser than the north end of the bank and it Avas sampled separately. The bank is cut up several deep ravines that greatly facilitated the examination of the silt. It Avas sampled by 4-foot holes on 200 foot centers over the surface and channel samples Avere taken in the exposed sections. The coarser part of the bank contains ' about 220,000 tons and the liner north section contains 80,000 tons. The tonnages of commercial sizes are: No. 2 biickwheat 3500 tons of 17.5 ])cr cent ash content and No. 3 bnckAvheat 35000 tons of 13. G per cent ash content.

Analysis of current silt, No. 6 Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

[i. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Pixed

carbon

3/32"

22'.e

11,410

3/32"

3/64"

1,118

121,170

3/W"

50 mesh

1,480

11,510

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,040

100 mesh

200 mes.h

0,450

200 mesh

46. (j

7,100

Total

Average

4,054

10,848

Size Spi'rifle ffravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than l.C

l.C to 1.0

Heavier than 1.0

Combined float oil 1.0

Per cent of total

A.sh

Per cent of total

Ash

l\'r cent of total

A.sh

Per cent of total

Ash

3/32"

3/64"

3/64" no me.sh

n.i

5.S

of norih (finer) poiiion of riilt ban!;, Xo. 6' Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemieul analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

ol total

Ash

Sulphur

carbon

3J3-I"

(Iso

12,100

S/ai"

3/Oi"

1,320

1:1,0.30

50 mesli

1..50S

8,1

07. s

10,820

50 mesh

ICO mesli

10,73)

100 mesh

aco mesh

9,t3l)

ax) mesh

7,190

5,141

Average

23. S

S.5

10,831

Analysis of loivcr, coarser portion of old silt bank, Xo. 6" Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. P"r

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent ol total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/10"

.fiO

11,900

3/10"

3/32"

12,b')0

3/32"

3/04"

1 ,7.50

.fio

12,690

3/04"

50 mc.sh

1,034

13.fi

12,440

.50 mesh

lOO mesh

1,118

.so

12,130

100 mesh

200 mesli

3H8

8.S

10,770

200 mesh

7,830

0,400

Average

lb*. 3

12,047

Size

SfK'ciHo gravity analysis

Through

Over

I.fighter than 1.0

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per eent of total

Ash

Per eent of total

3/10"

3/.32"

.37 32" ,3/01"

4.(1

T9. 2

93.fi

7,9

PENNSYLVANIA C()A1. COMl'ANY Putlei' Colliery

From 2500 to 3000 tons of coal is sliipped daily from this colliery. It is jtrepared -with Wilmot jigs and shaker screens. The silt is made thrn 1/lG-inch holes. At the time of sampling a new preparation plant was under construction and the normal method of coal preparation and silt disjiosal was not in ojieration. Part of the silt and the drainage water from loading pockets and cars was being flushed into the mine and a part of it was stocked on the rock bank,

and is mixed with the washery refuse. The rate of silt production is estimated at 250 tons per day. Upon completion of construction work all the silt will be used for mine filliug. A silt bank containing about 30,000 tons was sampled. It contains about 3500 tons of No. 3 buckwheat coal of 20.1 per cent ash content.

Analysis of sHt going to hore-hole, Butler Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/64'

15.6)

sm'

50 mesh

32. 9(

12,190

50 mesh

100 mesh

11,840

100 mes'h

200 mesh

10,060

7,090

S39.0

Average

9,940

*nisoharge water could not be measured.

Analysis of hank sample, Butler Colliery.

Size

Serpen analysis

Chemical analysis

B t . n .

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per eent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carhon

3/16'

S/.32"

5)

11,640

3/,32'

3/64"

11,490

3764'

50 mesh

10,660

.50 mesh

lOO mesh

,50.4

8,1.30

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,150

200 mesh

7,620

Total

Average

4,498

10,662

Size

Speciflp RTavity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per emt of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per eent of total

Ash

3/82''

3/04"

3/64" .50 mesh

n.n

T. F. QUINN COAL COMPANY Consolidated Colliery

This colliery was noi in operation at the time of sampling. A bank containing 200,000 tons of silt and originally belonging to this property, is now owned by the Scranton Electric Company. No

information on the history of this bank could be obtained. A sinaH abandoned washery and cuts in the bank show that it! has been worked. It was sampled by the surface method. This bank contains about 3,000 tons of No. 2 buckwheat and 10,000 tons of No. 3 buckwheat coal.

Analysis of hank at Consolidated Colliery, Avoca.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analy.sis

n. t. U. ler

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16"

9,190

3/16*

3/32"

10,120

3/sa"

3/64"

1,135

10,300

3/64"

50 mesh

2,286

10,430

.50 mesh

1 00 me.sh

1,213

9,748

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,470

200 mesh

7,250

Total

Average

6,929

Ico.O

9,907

SCRANTON COAL COMPANY Pine Brook Colliery

This breaker prepares about 2700 tons of coal per day over Simplex and Ransome jigs. The silt passes through 3/32-inch round holes. It is flushed into the mine for filling. Silt which was being discharged at the time of sampling contained 4 per cent oversize (No. 3 buckwheat). The production could not be measured.

An extensive culm bank that was accumulated during the operation of an earlier dry breaker is leased to an independent operator who has worked over a large part of it. A small portion of this bank, that is not included in the lease hold, was sampled. It is covered with about 10 feet of ashes and a part of it is mixed with ashes. A part of it has been uncovered and opened up by the Scranton Coal Company. This part of the bank and that which is mixed with ashes were sampled separately. The clean part of the bank is exceptionally low in ash content. It contains 12.7 per cent of domestic coal and 64.4 per cent steam coal. The average ash content is 16.5 per cent as compared with 27.1 per cent in the ashy part of the bank.

Analysis of ashy part of hank, Pine Brook Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

11/16"

9/ 16"

9/16"

5/16"

10,730

6/16'

3/16"

1,022

3/16"

3/32"

1,026

10,870

3/32"

3/64"

10,000

3/64'

50 mesh

8,920

50 mesh

100 me.sh

7,960

100 me.=h

200 mesh

4,960

Total

5,217

Average

.i

m.7

10,152

Analysis of pai t of hank heiny worked (1025), Pine Brook Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

11/16"

1,227

mw

9/16"

5/16"

2,920

12,070

3/16"

2,755

12,090

3/16"

.3/32"

2,490

12,110

S/S2'

3/64"

1,338

11,930

.3/64"

50 mesh

11,160

5h mesh

100 mesh

9„550

100 mesh

200 me.sh

9,410

200 mesh

6,350

Total

12,704

.Average

11,702

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Combined

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

float

on 1.9

Through

Over

Per cent

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

11/16"

9/16'

3/16"

3/.32."

3/32'

3/64"

Analysis of silt going info mine for filling, Pine Brook Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis'

por

Per cent

Volatile

/Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/32"

21. ft

11,. 550

3/.32"

3/64'

12,000

3/64"

.50 mesh

11,770

.50 mesh

2S5

11,020

100 mesh

200 mesh

10,160

200 mesh

8,080

Total

1,483

lOO.f)

Average

11,204

SPENCER COAL COMPANY Spencer Colliery

This plant ships about 250 tons of coal per day. At the time of sampling, fresh mined coal only was being prepared. Bank coal is sometimes treated. The silt passes through .3/32-inch perforations and is Unshed ont npon an extensive bank retained by a rock rim. Most of the water filters ont through this rock embankment and flows away in clear streamlets that trickle ont at its base. A small quantity imns oft' throngh one wooden sluiceway, but this also Avas practically clear at the time of sampling.

Current silt Avas sampled and measured by catcliint the entire stream at regular intervals during one operating day. The average rate of water Hoav in the silt line was 220 gallons per luiunte and the silt discdiarge was 20 tons per day. The percentage of oversize material of commercial size in the silt was nnusnally large, but these sizes were very high in ash.

The silt bank was started in April, 1924. No change in preparation practice has been made during the accumulation of this bank. It contains about 10,000 tons of silt of which lb..", per cent is of commercial size (No. 1, No. 2, and No. d buckwheat), but the.se sizes are very high in ash. Some of the refuse from the line coal jigs is ap pareutly discharged with the silt.

An old silt bank which Avas accumulated by earlier operators of this property contains 150,000 tons of silt and a culm bank contains

100.000 tons. These banks are .said to be about 18 years old and both have been partly Avorked and are opened up by several cuts that expose interior vertical sections, Avhich greatly facilitated .sampling.

The culm bank is traversed by a cut that extends its entire length. The bank Avas .sampled by taking channel .samples from top to bottom of the bank at 100 feet intervals along this cut to obtain a composite sample of about 2000 pounds. This bank contains approximately

35.000 tons of prepared sizes and 35,000 tons of steam coal.

The silt bank Avas sampled by 4-foot holes over the surface and by channel samples in the cuts. While this bank Avas being built up, the finest screens used contained 3/32-inch perforations but much of the steam coal Avas also stocked in the bank because of market conditions. Screen aualy.ses shoAved it to contain 15.8 per cent oversize. Tonnages of commercial sizes of coal in the bank are as folloAvs: No. 1 buckAvheat 1500, No. 2 buckAvheat 3150, No. 3 buckAvheat 19,000.

Aiiuli/sis of culm hank, pcnccr Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Ovtr

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

04 Ib.

11/16"

25 lb.

b'.9

y/it/'

5.46 ib.

2i.O

y/16'

5/16"

36 lb.

18,5

s.o

11,840

*5/16"

3/16'

S.2

12,390

*3/16'

Sl'ii/'

U.6

e.9

12,350

3/64"

b.9

12,250

50 mesh

lO.S

11,890

*50 mesh

100 mesh

6b. 6

11,060

*100 mesh

10,370

2,705 lb.

Average

11,921

'These sizes screened from quartered sample.

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.0 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined fioat on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per

cent

of total

30:.2;

Analysifi of ftample of nno iilf 'bank, Spencer Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. U.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

5/16"

3,870

3/16"

4,540

3/16"

3/32"

3/64"

10,610

3/01"

50 mesh

1,685

,39.4

10,770

.50 mesh

100 mesh

10,1.30

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,110

200 mesh

7,800

Total

4,279

Average

9,532

Andlysifi of old !ill bank, lpcncer Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Ptr cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/16"

3/16"

3/32"

12,020

3/32"

3/64"

2,017

11,830

3/64"

.50 mesh

2,172'

11,410

60 mesh

lOO mesh

10,600

lOO mesh

200 mesh

.n

9,750

200 mesh

8,110

Total

6,376

Average

11,708

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 tol.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

.5/16""

.3/32" 3/64" .50 mesh lOO mesh mesh

.5/16" 3/16' 3/.32' 3/64' .50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

.3

Total

Average

Anali/sis of ciuoeiit tilt production, Spencer CoUiei'i/.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent ol

1,000

per S

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

5/16"

3/16"

5.ti

4,540

3/16"

3/32"

4:1.7

7,780

3/32"

3/64'

10,510

3/64"

50 mesh

1,118

10,770

50 mesh

ICO mesh

10,170

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,110

200 mesh

—

7,800

3,434

2U.00

Average

9,054

XAY AUG COAL :\nXTN(! (AUIPAXY X'ay Au Colliei-y

This colliery was not in operation at the time of sampling. Tt normally ships 200 tons of coal per day. The silt discharged to the bank passes through ?)/32 inch pei'foratioiis. Tt is flashed ont upon a small bank with bnilt-np silt embankments through which the water esca])es in sluiceways. This bank contains about 20,000 tons. .Cn older and larger bank which contains HO.ttOO tons of silt has been opened up and partly loaded ont by scraper line.

These banks contain very small percentages of oversize material. The new bank contains 1.1 per cent of Xo. 2 and Xo. .3 buckwheat and the old bank contains 1.7 ])er cent of these sizes, jnaking an aggregate of onlv about 1100 tons of coal of coninnn'cial size in the silt banks on this pro])erty.

Analj/shift of old fiilt Ixtnlc, Xap A up Cvllicri/.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

per

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

.3/16"

.P

10,150

3/10"

.3/32"

1.6S

,3/.3-2"

3/64"

1,760

6'2.9

3/64"

.50 mesh

5,100

rjO mesh

100 mesh

1,020

33. S

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,508

Total

9,. 554

Average

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Througli

3/32*

3l6i"

Over

3/C4* 50 mesh

Lighter than 1.6

l.G to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total Ash

38.0 25.5

22.3 22.0

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

of )icw n'orthire!<t hank, A'aij Aug CoUieri/.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

Pixed

pound

of total

matter

carbon

sna*

3/16*

,30.1

9,900

3/32"

3/64''

1,010

9,550

3/61"

60 mesh

3,425

9,350

50 mesh

100 mesh

1,800

8,310

100 mesh

200 mesh

7,630

200 mesh

6,370

Total

7. Oss

Average

8,884

Size Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

S/.32*

S/64*

3/64* SO mesh

PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY Underwood Colliery

This plant prejiares 3500 tons of coal per day over jigs and shaker screens. The screens Ihrongh which the silt passes before being discharged from the breaker has 1/10-inch perforations. Silt is stocked in two large settling basins in Ihe valley of a small stream. These basins are formed by rock embankments. Silt from the breaker is normally lined to the fii'st of these and the water from the first is discharged into the second to be further clarified. The rnn-off from this bank spreads ont over an extensive wooded swamp in the valley below the settling basins, and a thin layer of very fine silt has been deposited in this swamp. It is impossible to measure or sample the water as it linally leaves the ])roperty bnt the facilities for settling the silt and the water are exceptionally good. No waste water Hoav's away from the plant wilhont passing through the silt basins. The silt accnmnlations in the two basins are approximately equal and aggregate 300,000 tons. The two basins were sampled separately by the surface sampling method, placing holes

ou foot centers. The muterinl in the second or lower basin is smaller size and lower in ash content than that in the npper basin. These banks contain only about 2.2 per cent of commercial size coal (over 3/32 inch).

Aiiali/.sis of upper silt haute, Uudrnrooil Collirrii.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/16'

11,930

5/lG"

3/16"

11,900

3/16"

3/32"

11,9*20

3/32"

3/64"

2,714

12,2.50

3/64"

50 mesh

4,:142

11,760

60 mesh

100 mesh

2,064

10,7.50

100 mesh

200 mesh

9,122

200 mesh

7,600

10,526

Average

11,338

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

.Vsh

Per cent of total

Ash

3/16'

3/32'

3/64'

AuaJi/sis of Jotrrr silt Inuler'u'ood ColUery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/16"

3/16*

'lb

10,490

3/16"

3/32"

1.3J

3/.32"

6.2!

13,040

3/64"

50 mesh

2,920

50 mesh

100 mesh

12,230

100 mesh

200 mesh

29. S

10,160

200 mesh

6.52:

7,940

Total

8,130

Average

7o

12,205

SCRANTON COAL COiMPANY Ontario Colliery

This plant prepares about 1000 to 1200 tons of coal per day over Simplex jigs and shaker screens. This is part fresh mined and part bank coal. The silt is now being stocked on an extensive bank upon which the water is impounded by a silt .embankment. After spread-

iiig out over aud traversing this bank the water runs off through several wooden sluices in the embankment and finally finds ifs way into a creek. This bank was started in 1923. The size of No. 3 buckwheat screen perforations, through which the silt passes, has been 3/32-inch during the life of the bank, but an auxiliary silt shaker Avith 3/32-inch perforations was installed about 3 months before the time of .sampling. This auxiliary screen recovers accidental oversize coal in the silt before it is discharged to the bank. This undoubtedly made some change in the size of the silt Avhich is being stocked. The screen analysis of an average sample of the bank shoAved it to contain 4.2 per cent of oversize, .6 per cent No. 1, .6 per cent No. 2, and 3.0 per cent of No. 3 buckAvheat.

This is one of the tAAo banks sampled intensively during the preliminary investigation, to establish a standard sampling procedure. The method of sampling is described in detail in that part of the report.

The rate of silt xi'oductiou is approximately 200 tons per day. This will vary Avith the proportion of bank coal to freshmined coal in the breaker feed.

The silt is flu.shed out upon the bank tlirough a wooden flume carrying 000 gallons of Avater per minute. The Avater discharged from the bank could not be measured. A composite sample of the run-off Avafer discharged at various points around the bank contained 1/10 of one pound of solids per gallon. This was very fine silt, 75 per cent through 50 mesh and contained 42.3 per cent ash.

In addition to the silt bank run-off Avater, this plant discharges approximately 500 gallons of Avaste Avater per minute from the loading pockets, cars aud elevator-boot overfloAv. This Avater carries about 0.32 jiounds of solids per gallon Avhich amounts to 34 tons per day. This is ])ractically all finer than No. 3 buckAvheat. The quantity of commercial sizes lost in this Avater is half a ton per day.

Anoljsifi of Ijaiik scmplc, Ontario Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/16"

7,4

10,880

bjW

31 vr

10,720

S/16"

3/32''

10,520

313-2"

3/64"

10,780

3/64"

50 mesh

10,560

60 mesh

lOO mesh

9,520

lOO mesh

200 mesh

42'. 6

7,971

6,520

ino.o

Average

10,153

Size

Specific gravity anaiysis

Lighter than 1.5

1.5 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Comhined float on 1.9

Per cent

ol total

Ash

ol total

Ash

of total

Ash

of total

Ash

3/15"

Co

6Is-1!'

3/54"

bii.5

3/54"

50 mesh

23. 2'

60 mesh

100 mesh

12. g

100 mesh

200 mesh

3?.l

200 mesh

Anulynh of tsolkln in fiilt bank run-off water, Ontario Collierij.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity ol solids

Chemical

analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. flay

phur

matter

bon

3/32"

(

11,070

3/32"

3/54"

73

3/64"

50 mesn

10,980

50 mesh

100 mesh

2tX) mesh

8,910

6,000

Average

.j4

7,773

Analysis of solids in waste water f rota breaker, Ontario Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

B. t. u.

per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per

cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. cay

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

bon

11/16" 9/16" 5/16" 3/16' 3/32' 3/64* 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

2,579

11/16' 9/16" 5/16' 3/16" 3I32T 3/64" 50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

10,700

11,040

10,700

9,380

6,240

Total

Average

.3

94,128

HUMBERT GOAL COMPANY Siiniiyside Colliery

This colliery produces about 450 tons of coal per day. It is prepared over jigs and shaker .screens. The silt is flumed out upon a small bank and is retained by an embankment of silt which is kept built up around it. The water drains away through an iron pipe Avhich is lengthened by short sections from time to time so as to keep its inlet slightly the surface of the bank.

This ruu-off water, Avhich carries .some fine silt, Hoavs into a small stream which is dammed to form a reservoir for the breaker water supitly. Drip Avater from the loading and rock pockets also drains into this small reservoir. Except in periods of unusual rainfall there is practically no OAmrfloAv from this reservoir but all the water is recirculated through the breaker. About tAAUce a Av'eek, however, the basin is opened up and flushed out. The silt that has accumm lated is washed doAvn the stream.

The bank noAv being used for stocking current silt production Avas started in 1925 and at the time of sampling (June 21, 1926) contained about 15,000 tons. The size of screens during this period has been l'A6 indh. Screen analyses )of samples of the 'bank shoAved it to contain about 1.5 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat (over 3/32-inch screen).

There is also an old bank containing about 50,000 tons of silt that Avas made through a 3/32-inch round-hole screen. This bank contains approximately 3500 tons of No. 3 buckAvheat coal. Daily silt production is about 50 tons.

Analysis of new hank, Snnnysifle Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16*

10,140

3/32'

3/32"

3/64'

2,210

9,060

3/64"

50 mesh

6,070

9,690

50 mesh

100 mesh

2,340

8,700

lOO mesh

200 mesh

S.5

7,680

200 mesh

12,317

Average

9,221

Aunlj/sis of solids in slash hank rnn-off 'water, fnnnyside Colliery.

Size

Screen annlysi?

Quantity of solid.s

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Pounds per 1,000 gal.

Tons per 8 hr. day

Ash

Sul-

phur

Vola-

tile

matter

Fixed

car-

bon

.50 mesh 100 mesh 200 mesh

50 mesh loo mesh 200 raes4h

A

Iso

720'

1,232

—

m.7

9,800

8,960

10,9.50

5,660

Average

7,237

Andlus'} of old silt hank, Sunnyskle Colliery.

Size

Screen

analysis

Chemical analysis

B. t. u. per

pound

Through

Over

Grams

Per cent of total

Ash

Sulphur

Volatile

matter

Fixed

carbon

3/16''

10,580

sik"

S/32"

3/32"

3/64"

3,200

9,420

3/64"

50 mesh

4,8So

36. ,8

8,780

50 mesh

100 mesh

2,640

4S.0

8,000

100 mesh

200 mesh

1,080

8,190

200 mesh

1,720

6,320

Total

14,525

Average

8,506

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/.32"

3/64"

3/64" 50 mesh

TEMPLE COAL COMPANY Edgerton Colliery

The colliery is abandoned. The breaker has been destroyed and all that remained at the time of sampling was the railway sidings, heaps of slate and rock from the worked over colin bank, and two small silt banks aggregating about 70,000 tons.

Both banks are cut by ravines and old workings. The east bank, near the railway, bad been worked recently by steam shovel and a long fresh face was exposed. These openings greatly facilitated sampling. The two banks were sampled with the 4-foot tube, by the surface-sampling method, supplemented by channel samples on the exposed sections.

These two silt banks are very similar in character. Each contains very small percentages of No. 1 and No. 2 buckwheat and about 20 per cent of No. 3 buckwheat. The ash content is unusually low. The aggregate tonnage of commercial sizes is about 300 of No. 1 buckwheat, 700 of No. 2 and 14,000 tons of No. 3.

D— 17

AnaJysis of icest ha'nk, Edgerton Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

ptT

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/16"

3/16"

li

12,560

.3/10"

3/32"

1,830

17. 9J

3/32"

3/64"

3,372

12,990

3/64"

50 mesh

2,990

12,720

SO mesh

100 mesh

1,210

12,080

100 mesh

200 mesh

11,070

aoo mesh

9,350

Total

10,202

Average

12,519

Analysis of east hank, Edgerton Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

per

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

5/10"

12,140

6/10"

3/16"

1.8)

3/16"

3/S2T

1,970

12,390

3/32"

3/64'

2,718

12,200

3/64"

30 mesh

2,960

11,760

50 mesh

200 mesh

1,654

10,5:10

200 mesh

8,600

9,868

Average

11,674

Size

Specific gravity analysis

Through

Over

Lighter than 1.6

1.6 to 1.9

Heavier than 1.9

Combined float on 1.9

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

Per cent of total

Ash

3/16"

3/32"

HILLSIDE COAL & IRON COMPANY Forest City Colliery

This colliery ships about 1400 tons of coal per day. It is prepared by Simplex and Menzies jigs and Parrish shaker screens. The silt is flumed out upon an extensive bank which covers a swamp and an old river channel along Lackawanna River. This bank is roughly 2800 feet long by 520 feet wide and has a maximum thickness of 30 feet. It is partially surrounded by an embankment of rock and washery refuse. About 1500 gallons of water per minute is flumed out upon the bank with the silt. The greater part of this

water sinks into the ground or filters out through the embankment.

This bank has been accumulating since 1908. Barley coal, the smallest size which is prepared, has been made over 3, 32-inch roundhole screens throughout the life of the bank.

At the time of sampling, the silt delivered to the bank was completely settled and retained; the jig slush water and dripping from loading pockets and cars carries some fine coal into the river.

The bank was sampled by the surface sampling method. Lines of sample holes were spaced 100 paces apart across the bank. The waste water discharged to the river was sampled at half hour intervals throughout a day's operation and the rate of flow was measured by a 16-inch, sharp-crest wier.

Screen analysis of the bank sample showed that it contains only 2 per cent oversize ( Xo. 3 buckwheat or barley coal over 3/32- inch screen) and 19.6 per cent of Xo. 1 buckwheat. Based on an estimated 100,000 tons from this colliery, there are approximately 2,000 tons of Xo. 3 and 20,000 tons of Xo. 1 buckwheat coal of 19.3 per cent ash and 14.0 per cent ash respectively available in the bank. The waste Avater from the jigs and loading plant carries 84 tons of solids into the riA'er daily. This is approximately 0.4 per cent of the tonnage handled through the plant. Approximately 20 per cent of this loss, or 14 tons is of commercial size (over 3/32-inch) and averages 18.0 per cent in ash.

Analysis of solids iti u'aste wafer from breaker. Forest City Colliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Quantity of solids

Chemical analysis

per

Per

Pounds

Tons

Vola-

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

cent of

per 1,000

per 8

Ash

Sul-

tile

car-

total

gal.

hr. day

phur

matter

bon

s/iei*

S.D

12,070

5/16*

3/16"

13,110

3/16*

3/32-

So

12,250

3/32*

3/64'

12,140

3/64'

50 mesh

10,540

50 mesh

100 mesh

10,780

100 mesh

200 mesh

10,560

200 mesh

6,86)

Average

10,.S22

Analysis of boink sample, Forest City CPlliery.

Size

Screen analysis

Chemical analysis

Per cent

Volatile

Fixed

pound

Through

Over

Grams

of total

Ash

Sulphur

matter

carbon

3/16'

3/32'

10,630

3/32'

3/64"

1,705

10,630

3/64'

50 mesh

3,690

10,470

50 mesh

100 mesh

1,710

9,600

100 mesh

200 mesh

8,960

200 mesh

7,510

8,691

Average

10,015

pieces.

SUMMARY OF CULM AND SiLT RESOURCES

In Pennsylvania Anthracite Fields

BY collieries AND FIELDS

NORTHERN FIELD— Continued.

Company

Colliery

Oulm

Silt

Mixed

Ontario

200,000

150,000

Baymond

Bhondda

200,000

150,000

30,000

Biverside .

>al

Sunnyside

50,000 on fire

Stemck Creek

Mt. Jessup —

Winton -

200,000

Bose W ashes y

Gravity Slope

150,000

Tappaa

Jerinyn

200,000

Coal

F'iresicle

1 & Iron

Erie

Fowderly No.

200,000

aal

Fallbrook

Coal Corp

Boland

225,000

1

raeite Collieries

Nay Aug" No.

OOal

Goal

Coal

100,000

Coal

— - 7,9C5,000 8,195.000 1,795,000

total Of Northern Field - 17,955,000

silt stored in banks in the Anthracite Region, in long tons*

eld

Culm

Silt

Mixed

Total

iddle . . iddle ..

37.970.000

42.585.000

2.430.000

7.965.000

37.415.000

41.935.000 6,200,000 8,195,000

12.700.000

17.175.000

1.385.000

1.795.000

88.085.000 101,695,000

10.015.000

17.955.000

Index

This index is arranged under the following heads: General, Coal Companies, Collieries, Places, Streams.

General

American Briquet Co., 68, 69, 196 American Cyanamid Co., 68 Analyses, screen, 187-259 Anchor washery, 93 Anthracite Briquette Co., 70 Anthracite, powdered, 75, 79 first mined, 37 preparation, of, 37 Anthrocoal, 56, 73 Ash content of silt, 19 Belt conveyor, 27 Binders, briquette, 65-69 Breakage, 53

Black Diamond washery, 155 Breaker, first built, 37 purpose of, 53 Briquettes, 56

binders, 65 burning quality, 64 character of, 63 combustion of, 71 history of, 58 plants, 69 production of, 61 Trent process, 74 value per ton, 61 Burning fine coal, 77 Buttonwood silt ban,k, 20 Chamberlain, bank, 95 Chance separator, 39, 198, 229, 232 Coal companies, see separate index Coleman, Lee, cited, 176 Collieries, see separate index Concentrating tables, 52 Conklin process, 42 Conveyor, 27 Coxe stoker, 55, 173 Crushers, 38 Culm, defined, 15

banks, size of, 16 quantity stored, 21 Deterioration of coal, 19 Diester-Overstrom tables, 52, 201, 205 212, 222

Disposal of waste, 13 Dorr classifier, 201 Dorr thickener, 50, 51, 209, 220 Drag scraper, 26, 29

Drying fine coal, 76 Dunnington washery, 154 Emory pickers, 241 Hardinge thickener, 49 Hydro separator, 46 Hydrotator, 45 Hydrotator thickener, 48 Jigs, 39

Lehigh Valley, 209, 222 Ransome, 247

Wilinot Simplex, 201, 205 , 209, 212, 226, 228, 244, 245, 247,

Jigging, 38

Jigging conveyor, 27, 29

Kiesge washery, 89, 102

Lehigh Valley jig, 209, 222

Longwall mining, 25, 27, 29, 32-36

Lopuleo system, 78

Losses of fine coal, 20

Lykens plant, 79

Lytle washery, 90

Mammoth bed, 107

Menzies jig, 228, 258

Metropolitan Edison Co., 80

Middletown station, 80

Mine filling with silt, 14

Mining methods, 24

Eastern Middle Field, 29

European, 32

Longwall, 25, 27, 29, 32-36 Northern Field, 27 Panther Creek district, 31 room and pillar, 24 Southern Field, 30 strip, 29

Western Middle Field, 29 Navicoal Corporation, 70, 201 Parrish screen, 38, 258 Producer gas, 56 Production, anthracite, 13 river coal, 178 silt, 20

Production, fine anthracite, 22 Powdered anthracite, 75, 79 Ransome jig, 247 Rheolaveur process, 42, 220

Kiver coal, occurrence of, 108 price of, 168 producers of, 180 production of, 178 quality and size, 179 recovery of, 172 use of, 172 Roll crushers, 38 Room and pillar system, 24 Rose wasliery, 162 Sampling, method of, 182, 194 Scranton Electric Co., 218, 246 Screening, 38 Screen, Parrish, 38, 258 Silt, defined, 16

banks, size of, 16 disposition of, 82 quality of, 84 quantity stored, 21 settling methods, 83 Sizes, lateral distribution of, 185 vertical distribution of, 187

Slime, defined, 16

percentage in silt, 18 Springdale washery, 123 Stoker, 55, 173 Strip mining, 29 Trent process, 74 Uses of silt and culm, 55 Volatile matter, 19 Washery, Anchor, 93

Black Diamond, 155 Dunnington, 154 Kresge, 89, 102 Lytle, 90 Rose, 162 Springdale, 123

Water, waste, sampling of, 193

mine, drip, waste, breaker, defined, 16

Wilmot Simplex jig, 201, 205, 209, 212, 226, 228, 244, 245, 247, 258

Coal Companies

Alden Coal Company, 139 Alliance Coal Company, 86, 96 Ammermaii Coal Company, 163 Black Heath Coal Company, 92 Buck Mountain Coal Company, 126 Butcher Creek Coal Company, 95 Candlemas Collieries Company, 126, 129 Carney & Brown Coal Company, 159 Central Coal Company, 148 Clifford Coal Company, 136, 167 Coleraine Coal Company, 131 Colonial Colliery Company, 112, 113, 148 Conlon Coal Company, 148 Coxe Brothers & Company, 128, 131, 135 Cranberry Creek Coal Company, 128 Dodson Coal Company, 118, 129, 213 East Alden Mining Company, 139 East Boston Coal Company, 149 East Lehigh Coal Company, 103 East Point Coal Company, 135 Evans Colliery Company, 131 Excelsior Coal Company, 111 Pallbrook Coal Company, 164 Fraekville Coal Company, 97, 199 Gibbons, John, Coal Company, 155

Glen Alden Coal Company, 141-143, 149, 153-156, 160

Gorman & Campion Coal Company, lOO Grand Tunnel Coal Company, 140 Green Ridge Coal Company, 158 Haddock Mining Company, 129, 150 Harleigh-Brookwood Coal Company, 119 Harleigh Coal Company, 133 Harris-Denby Coal Company, 151 Harwood Coal Company, 128 Hazle Brook Coal Company, 100, 124, 135, 200, 212, 226, 227 Hazle Mountain Coal Company, 128, 218 Healey Coal Company, 151 Hillside Coal & Iron Company, 152, 163, 167, 258

Hudson Coal Company, 95, 136, 146, 148, 155, 157, 158, 160, 163, 164, 166 Humbert Coal Company, 161, 162, 256 Jeddo-Highland Coal Company, 124, 126, 133, 135, 221-223, 225 Jermyn & Company, 154 Kemmerer, M. S., & Company, 124, 135 Kingston. Coal Company, 149, 241 Lackawanna Coal Company, 160 Lackawanna Coal Corporation, 164 Lackawanna Fuel Company, 157

Lee, George F., Coal Companj", 141, 144,

Legitts Creek Anthracite Company, 157 Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, 70, 99, 102-105, 178, 201, 202, 205 Lehigh Valley Coal Company, 88, 113, 115-118, 123, 124, 129, 130, 131, 143, 144, 146, 147, 150, 151, 153, 209, 210,

Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, 129, 139, 143, 145, 146, 236, 238, 239 Maderia-Hill Coal Company, 122, 215 Meadowside Coal Company, 159 Mid City Coal Company, 157 Moffat, W. Y., Coal Company, 155 Mt. Jessup Coal Company, 161 Murray Coal Company, 165 Nay Aug Coal Mining Company, 159, 251 Northumberland Mining Company, 112 Pardee Brothers & Company, 132, 133,

Pennsylvania Coal Company, 136, 137, 151-154, 159, 166, 244, 245, 252 Peoples Coal Company, 156 Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, 86-103, 105, 109-111, 113, 115-119, 120, 122

Pine Hill Coal Company, 90, 92, 94, 196 Pittston Coal Mining Company, 113, 235 Plymouth Coal Company, 145 Plymouth Red Ash Coal Company, 145 Powell- Jenkins Coal Company, 154 Price Pancoast Coal Company, 160 Providence Coal Company, 157 Puritan Coal Company, 111

Quinn, T. P., Coal Company, 153, 246 Racket Brook Coal Company, 164 Radient Coal Company. 161 Raub Coal Company, 150 Red Haven Coal Company, 165 Reichter Coal Company, 158 Repplier Coal Company, 94, 95 Richmondale Coal Company, 136, 165 Roaring Brook Coal Company, 158 Scranton Anthracite Coal Company, 154 Scranton Coal Company, 156-158, 160, 161, 185, 190, 247, 253 Shamokin Coal Company, 109 Shipman Coal Company, 112 South Penn Collieries Company. 97, 105, 109, 136, 157, 206 Spencer Coal Company, 159, 248 Stackhouse Goal Company, 138 St. Clair Coal Company, 70, 96, 198 Suffolk Anthracite Collieries Company, 153, 162-165

Sullivan & Flynn Coal Company, 146 Sunrise Coal Company, 164 Susquehanna Collieries Company, 69, 79, 86, 90, 107, 109, 112, 113, 118, 139, 195, 207, 229

Temple Coal Company, 150-152, 161, 165, 242, 243, 257

Thom'as Coal Company, 122, 215 Traders Coal Company, 148 Wentz & Company, 113, 117 West End Coal Company. 139, 185, 187,

Wilson-IIill Coal Company, 165 Winton Coal Company, 162

Collieries

Alaska, 115 Alden, 139 Alliance, 87, 100 Archbald, 136, 155 Auchincloss, 141 Audenreid, 129 Avoca, 153 Avondale, 141 B'aker, 156 Baltimore No. 5, 146 Bast, 116 Bear Valley, 110 Beaver Brook, 129 Beaver Meadow, 131

Bell, 100

Black Ridge, 128, 218 Black Diamond, 150 Blackwood, 88 Bliss, 141 Boland, 164 Boston Run, 120 Brookside, 86 Buck Mountain, 124 Buck Ridge, 111 Buck Run, 93 Buckville, 102 Burnside, 111 Butler, 152, 245

Buttonwood No. 22, 143, 236 Cameron, 107, 109 Candlemas, 126, 129 Capouse, 156 Carbon, 111 Carleton, 155 Central, 154 Ceutralia, 116, 210 Chauncey, 141, 144, 232 Cliilord, 167 Clinton, 136, 166 CoalbrooL, 164 Coaldale, 103, 201 Colkert, 88

Consolidated, 153, 246 Continental, 156 Cranberry, 128 Diamond, 156 Dorranee, 146 Draper, 120, 121 Drifton, 135 Eagle Hill, 98 East Alden, 139 East Franklin, 86, 88 East Lehigh, 103 East Ridge, 94 East Side, 165 Eckley, 126, 127, 135 Eddy Creek, 160 Edgerton, 152, 257 Ellangowan, 122 Enterprise, 112 Erie, 163 Ewen, 152 Exeter, 151 Pallbrook, 164 Falls, 164 Fireside, 163

Forest City, 166, 167, 258 Forty Fort, 150, 243 Franklin, 144, 165 Gaylord, 149 Gibbons, 155 Gilberton, 120 Girard, 117, 212 Girard Mammoth, 117, 212 Glen.brook, 112 Glendon, 123 Glen Dower, 93 Glen Lyon No. 6, 139, 230 Good Spring, 88 Gravity Slope, 163 Greenback, 111

Greenough, 112 Greenridge, 158 Greenwood, 103, 155 Hadley, 143, 235 Hallstead, 153 Hammond, 117 Harleigh, 133 Harry E., 150, 242 Hazle Brook, 132, 226 Hazleton No. 1, 131 Hazleton Shaft, 131 Henry Clay, 111, 147 Heidelberg, 153

Highland No. 2, 124, 135, 221

Highland No. 7, 225

Hollenback, 146, 239

Honey Brook, 129

Hyde Park. 156

Indian Ridge, 119

Inkerman No. 6, 151, 247

Jeddo No. 4, 133, 223

Jeddo No. 5, 222

Jermyn, 136, 154, 163

Johns, 116

Johnson, 160

Kathryn, 105, 109, 206

Kehley Run, 119

Keystone, 115

Kingston No. 2, 149

Kingston No. 4, 149, 241

Knickerbocker, 121

Knitz, 151

Lackawanna, 160

Laflin, 148

Lance No. 11, 145

Lansford, 104

Lattimer, 132, 133, 220

Laurel Run, 95

Lawrence, 119

Leggett Creek, 157

Lincoln, 88

Locust Gap, 115

Locust Mountain, 118, 213

Loomis, 138, 143

Lores No. 5, 148

Lower Rauch Creek, 88

Lucanna, 97, 199

Luke Fidler, 112, 207

Lytle, 90

Mederia, 148

Mahanoy City, 122

Maltby, 150

Manville, 158

Maple Hill, 120

Marvine, 157

Mary D, 85, 100, 200

Maxwell, 143

Merriam, 116

Middle Creek, 88

Midvalley, 113

Mineral Springs, 146

Miners Valley, 137

Mocanaqua, 139, 185, 187, 228

Morea, 122, 215

Mt. Jessup, 161

Mt. Lookout, 151

Mt. Pleasant, 158

Murray B, 165

Nanticoke Xo. 7, 139, 232

Natalie, 113

Nay Aug No. 2, 165, 251 Nesquehoning, 105, 205 New Boston, 122, 215 New Castle, 95 Newkirk, 102 North Franklin, 105, 109 North Mahanoy, 122 Northwest, 165 Nottingham, 145 Oak Hill, 92, 154 Old Forge, 154 Old Shaft, 97 Olyphant, 160 Oneida, 128

Ontario, 160, 185, 190, 253 Otto, 90 Oxford, 156 Packer, 105

Packer Nos. 2. 3. 4, 118

Packer N'o. 5, 117

Palmer, 96

Pancoast, 160

Park Place, 123, 217

Parsons, 137

Peckville, 136

Pennsylvania, 113

Pennsylvania Nos. 1-5. 159

Pennsylvania No. 6. 244

Pettebone, 149

Phoenix Park. 90

Pine No. 7. 155

Pine Brook, 158. 247

Pine Forest. 97

Pine Hill, 90, 196

Pine Knot. 94

Pine Ridge, 146

Plains, 137

Potts, 115

Powderly, 136

Powderly No. 2. 164

Preston Xo. 3, 117

Prospect, 147

Racket Brook, 164

Randolph, 97

Ransome, 157

Rauch Gap, 87

Raymond, 161

Reesedale, 102

Reliance, 113

Rhondda, 161

Richards, 113

Richardson, 93

Richmond Xo. 3. 158

Richmondale, 136, 165

Ridgewood, 148

Riverside, 161

Roaring Brook, 158

Rocky Glen, 154

Salem, 138

Sandy Run, 124, 135

Sayre, 113, 209

Seneca, 153

Shamokin, 109

Shenandoali City, 119

Short Mountain, 69, 86, 195

Silver Creek, 100

Silverton, 89

Sioux, 115

Spencer, 159, 248

Spring Brook, 129

Spring Mountain, 130

St. Clair, 96, 198

St. Xicholas, 120

Stanton, 119, 238

Steels, 123

Sterrick Creek, 161

Sugar Xotch Xo. 9. 143 Sunnyside. 161. 162. 2.56 Sunrise, 164

Susquehanna X"o. 7. 140. 142. 229

Tamaqua, 84, 103. 202

Tappan, 16.3

Taylor, 154

Thomaston, 93

Thouron, 96

Tresckon, 129

Troy. 151

Truesdale, 141

Tunnel, 116 Tunnel Ridge, 122 Underwood, 159, 166, 257 Upper Lehigh, 124, 135, 227 Von Storch, 157 Vulcan , 124 Wadesville , 95 Wanamie, 139 Warrior Run, 143

Westmoreland, 150 West Nanticoke, 140 West Ridge, 157 West Shenandoah, 118 William Penn, 118 Williamstown, 86 Winton, 162 Woodward, 149 W yoming , 148

Places

Alaska, 115 Alden, 139 Archbald, 161, 163 Ashland, 105, 116 Ashley, 143, 144 Audenreid, 126, 129 Avoca, 153 Avondale, 141

Beaver Meadows, 125, 126, 131, 219

Beech wood, 96

Black Ridge, 126

Boston Run, 120

Branchdale, 90

Buckley Station, 92

Buck Mountain, 124

Butzbach, 138, 143

Carbondale, 136, 163-165

Catawissa, 125

Centralia, 116

Clarks Ferry, 177

Coaldale, 103

Coleraine, 131

Conyngham, 218

Cumbola, 96, 98

Danville, 177

Deringer, 128

Dickson City, 160

Donaldson, 88

Drifton, 135

Duncott, 92

Dunmore Borough, 158, 159 Dupont, 152 Duryea, 153 East Mines, 95 Eckley, 126, 133. 135 Edwardsville, 149 Elizahethville, 176 Exeter, 151 Forest City, 136, 167 Forestville, 90

Gilberton, 120, 121, 214, 215

Girardville, 105, 106, 117, 214

Glen Carbon, 93

Glen Lyon, 139

Gordon, 105

Gowen, 126

Harleigh, 126, 133

Harrisburg, 168, 170, 171, 176, 179

Harwood, 128

Hazleton, 124, 128, 131, 132 Heckscherville, 93, 94 Heckton, 171 Herndon, 177 Highland, 124, 135 Hudson, 148 Hyde Park, 155-157 Inkerman, 148, 151 Jeanesville, 125, 130 Jeddo, 126, 133 Jermyn, 136, 163 Jessup, 161, 162 Kaska, 100 Kingston, 149 Kulpmont, 112 Kulps, 105 Laflin, 148 Lansford, 104 Larksville, 137, 145, 148 Lattimer, 126, 133 Llewellyn, 85 Locust Dale, 115 Locust Gap, 115, 116 Lorberry Junction, 88 Lost Creek, 105 Luzerne, 1.50 Lykens, 86, 171

Mahanoy, 105-107, 122, 123, 214 Mahanoy Plane, 106, 118, 119 Mayfield, 136 Middleport, 100

Middletown, 176 Miners Mills, 146 Minersville, So, 90, 92 Minooka, 154, 155 Mocaiiaqua, 138, 139, 185 Morea, 122, 215 Moosic, 154

Mt. Oarmel, 107, lOS, 113-116

Nanticoke, 137-143

Nesquebouing. 105

New Boston, 122

New Castle, 94, 95

New Philadelphia, 96

New Silver Brook, 129

Old Forge, 137, 154

Olyphant, 136, 160

Oneida, 128

Oscar Place, 96

Palo Alto, 97

Park Place, 123

Parsons, 146

Pittston, 137, 153

Plains, 148

Plainsville, 151

Plymouth, 137, 141, 145, 149

Port Carbon, 97

Port Griffith, 137, 152

Pottsville, 95, 96, 178

Pringle, 149

Providence, 157

Rianshaw, 111, 112

Reading. 178

Rocky Glen Park, 154

Sandy Run, 135

Scranton, 136, 137, 155-158

Schuylkill Haven, 178

Shamokin, 107, 109-111. 171

Shenandoah, 105, 118, 119

Shickshinny, 136-138, 185

St. Clair, 96, 97

St. Nicholas, 122

Sugar Notch, 143

Sunbury, 168, 177

Swoyersville, 150

Tamaqua, 102, 103. 126

Taylor, 137, 154, 155

Throop, 160

Tomhicken, 128

Tower City, 86

Tresckow, 125, 129

Treverton, 105, 109

Tuscarora, 100-102

Upper Lehigh, 124, 135

Vandling, 165, 166

Wadesville, 95

Wanamie, 138, 139

Warrior Run, 141, 143

Weatherly, 124, 132, 134

West Nanticoke, 140

West Pittston, 151

West Wyoming, 150, 151

Wilkes-Barre, 137, 138, 145-147

Williamstown, 86

Winton, 161

Wyoming, 137

Zehner, 124, 135

Streams

Abraham Creek, 137, 151 Ascension Creek, 154, 155 Beaver Creek, 124, 125, 129-131, 219 Big Run, 115, 116

Black Creek, 124, 126-128, 133. 135, 224,

Boston Run, 120 Buck Run, 107

Buttonwood Creek, 137, 143-145 Carbon Run, 107, 109-111 Catawissa Creek, 124, 126, 129 Coal Run, 107, 111-113 Cranberry Creek, 126, 128, 131 East Norwegian Creek, 95 Elk Creek, 136, 165

Fall Brook, 164 Good Spring Creek, 88 Grassy Island Creek, 136, 161, 162 Hazle Creek, 124, 125, 131, 1.32 Lackawanna River, 136-137, 153-167,

Laurel Run, 146

Leggett Creek, 157

Lehigh River, 168, 178, 179

Little Schuylkill River, 85, 102, 103, 126

Lorberry Creek. 88

Mahanoy Creek, 105-107, 116-124, 176, 212, 214

Middle Creek, 88, 89

Mill Creek, 94, 95, 97, 122, 137, 147, 148, 198, 215 Millers Creek, 160 Mine Run, 105, 116 Moyer Run, 138 Nanticoke Creek, 138, 141 Nescopeck Creek, 125, 129 Nesquehoning Creek, 84, 105, 178, 205 Newport Creek, 137-139, 142, 230 Norwegian Creek, 95, 96 Panther Creek, 84, 103, 104, 201, 202 Pine Creek, 129 Pond Creek, 124, 135 Powderly Creek, 164 Quaker Run, 107, 111-113 Rauch Creek, 87, 88 Roaring Brook, 158, 159 Rush Brook, 136, 163 Sandy Run, 124, 134, 135

Schuylkill River, 85, 89, 90, 92, 93, 96- 102, 168, 178, 179, 199, 200 Scotch Run, 134

Shamokin Creek, 105, 107-116, 172, 176,

Shenandoah Creek, 105, 117-119 Silver Creek, 99, 100 Solomans Creek, 137 Stafford Meadow Brook, 155 Susquehanna River, 136, 138-141, 143, 145-149, 151-153, 168, 172, 176, 179,

Swatara Creek, 85, 88, 176, 177 Toby Creek, 137, 149, 150 Tomhicken Creek, 128 Marrior Run, 138, 141, 143 West Norwegian Creek, 95, 96 White Oak Run, 163 Wiconisco Creek, 86, 87, 176 Zerby Run, 105, 109, 206, 207

Anthracite culm and silt / by James D. Sisler, Thomas Fraser, and Dever C. Ashmead ; a cooperative study between the Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey, Pennsylvania Water and Power Resources Board, United States Bureau of Mines

Pennsylvania Geological Survey Fourth Series

Anthracite Culm And Silt

United States Bureau Of Mines

Harrisburg, Pa.

Contents

Illustrations

Xxi:

Figures

Preface

Anthracite Culm And Silt

Plate Ii

Conclusions

D— 2

Production Of Fine Size Anthracite

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 4

Figure 6

D— 3

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

O

I?

Q U Q

Q

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

D— 4

Plate Iii

Uses Of Anthracite Silt And Culm

!K),353

1Q12

S5,352

D— 5

S .7 11.7 78.7 8.9

10 .0 12.2 77.0 9.G

T1

Figure 18

D— 0

Plate Iv

B8

S9

Plate V

Plate Vi

D— 7

Plate Vii

Plate Viii

Plate Ix

Plate X

Plate Xi

Plate Xii

Plate Xiii

D— 8

Plate Xiv

Plate Xv

Plate Xvi

D— 9

Plate Xviii

Plate Xix

Plate Xx

Plate Xxi

Plate Xxii

Plate Xxiii

D— 10

Plate Xxiv

Plate Xxv

D— 11

Plate Xxvii

Plate Xxvii

Eiver And Greek Coal

1G9

Plate Xxix

Plate Xxx

Plate Xxxi