237 



Ash AND Calorimeter Tests of Coal Purchased by Indiana 



University. 



By Frank C. Mathers and Ira E. Lee. 



Coal is inircliased by Indiana University under a contract tliat all 

 coal with ash greater than 15 per cent, shall be rejected. The analyses 

 given in this paper represents the ash tests (and some determinations of 

 British Thermal Units, B. T. U.) of the nut and slack coal which has 

 been delivered by the Summit Mine under this contract. 



The sampling was done by an employe of the University in the follow- 

 ing manner : The coal from six holes, each about 1.5 feet deep which 

 were dug at uniform intervals into the car of coal, was mixed thoroughly. 

 This large sample weighed 50-75 pounds. After the large lumps had been 

 broken, the sample was quartered until about one pint remained. This 

 sample was then brought to the laboratory.^ The analyses are upon 

 samples dried at lO.S to 110 degrees Centigrade for 0.5 hour. A Parr 

 calorimeter was used in deterniiiiirg tlie British Thermal Units. 



The results are as follows : 



No. of cars Dates between which 



analyzed. dehvpred. Maximum. Minimum. Average. 



B. T. U. 148 9/1/09 & 7/10/10 13,470 11,525 12,719 



Ash % 270 9/1/09 & 0/20/11 22.6 6.37 11.047 



The ash determinations when averaged by months are as follows : 

 September, 1009, 10.06; October, 10.53; November, 10.97; December, 

 16.64. 



January, 1910, 11.25; February, 12.35; March, 11.39; April, 11.50; 

 May, ll.SS; June, 10.20; July, 13..32 ; October, 11.80; November, 13.15; 

 December, 10.81. 



January, 1911, 10.70; February. 10.07; March, 12.37; April. 11.41; 

 May, 11.33. 



1 The analysis of the sample obtained by taking portions of coal from each 

 wagon load from a car did not differ materially from the analysis of the sample 

 obtained from the car in the manner described. This showed that the method of 

 sampling was accurate. 



