MATERIAL REVIEW.
ANTI-WASTE COMPRESSED ANTHRACITE COAL.
THE Patent Fuel Marketing Company, 16-17 Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1, have submitted to us specimens of their anthracite Ovoids,* suitable for burning in open fireplaces or stoves. The claim that is made for it is that it is smokeless, except for the first few minutes after the fuel, which is made in small ovals about the size of a plover's egg, is put on the fire. It is also claimed for it that combustion is so complete that there is no clinker, and almost no ash to clear away when the fire is out. It is further alleged that the heat given out is greater than that given out by ordinary coal ; that it lasts nearly double the time of ordinary coal. Finally, the cost of an ordinary domestic lire is stated to be less than id. an hour—to be exact, .41d.— as against good coal, such as Derby Brights, which costs .05d. per hour, that is nearly d.
The present reviewer has not been content with seeing the Ovoids burning at the company's office, but has given them a long trial in his house, has stoked the fires himself, has cross- examined the servants who use them, and is sitting by an Ovoid fire burning in an ordinary London grate in Eaton Square at the time of writing. He is convinced by such trial that the claim made for them is good in all respects as to heating-power, easiness of lighting, little need for stoking.
When the patent fuel is burnt not in ordinary grates but in kitchen ranges or, more important still, in independent 4ot-water boilers, the results are very satisfactory. This is largely due to the absence of cinders, clinkers and serious smoke. The Ovoid fires not only heat the water well, but keep in.
In conclusion, and this is the most important thing of all, the man who burns Ovoids in his grate is not helping to poison the air and spoiling all urban and half rural England for its unfortunate inhabitants.
A series of facts about patent smokeless and Semi-smokeless fuels are to be found in an interesting little book written by Mr. Ashur. Green, of the Patent Fuel Marketing Company (Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. Price 3s.). In this book many interesting things from the public point of view are told us as regards Ovoids and other smokeless fuels. At present the Ovoid is made only of anthracite coal, but it is believed that as good results can be got if the Ovoid is made of bituminous small coal, provided it is perforated in a special way. This perforation, if we understand it rightly, causes the Ovoid to consume its own smoke, which means, of course, less waste, more heat, and therefore less cost.
While reviewing this excellent fuel, we may notice also the Anti-Waste Fire Lighter produced by the same company. Here is a real triumph of " dodginess." The fire lighters really do light and are really cheap, i.e., a great deal cheaper than sticks-100 of them are sold for 4s. 6d.
* Can be obtained direct from themselves or from their agents throughout the urinary at 62s. per ton,
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