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7A SS. Haldeman on the‘Constructionof Blast-furnaces 
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Arr. VIL—On the Construction of Blast-furnaces for the Smelt- 
+ el Iron = Anthracite by 8. ” ap of Co- 
hed nn.* - 
THe occurrence of imoshaustilile strata of. anthracite coal in f 
Pisitiegivacin, has attracted the attention of miners and practical ‘ 
men generally, to its use in smelting iron. With al, this 
process requires a peculiar location, and a large capital, to be in- 
vested in extensive woodland tracts, which are generally moun- 
tainous, and conseque y oebeka being unfitted for hap icerecie. 
This renders the c ae of the necessary roads difficult, and 
transportation expensive. The We umber of workmen employed 
i wood-cutting; se pt hauling, is mee, | and the expense 
of hors amenpie s, forms a considerable Charcoal be- 
oft, porous material, much of it is paitage in trans ation 
and hentia, and large sheds are required to store and keep it 
These various contingencies require the general manager 
to have industry, judgment, and good business habits. 
anthracite, the exact expense of the fuel is known, the trans- 
portation being by railways or canals extending to. ‘most of the 
mines, and if the furnace is placed near such public works, there 
will be but little waste of coal in‘its final transportation. There 
’ is but little waste in the transportation of ore, which is of course > 
common to both kinds of fuel. 
The earlier attempts at smelting iron with anthracite in the 
ordi inary furnace, failed so completely, that it was by some deem- 
ed impossible to ‘accomplish it; while others, looking to a differ- 
ent construction for a solution of the problem, devised various — 
structures, more remarkable for ingenuity than utility ; later ex- # 
ity periments having proved that no such modifications are neces- 
‘a sary, except per a higher inclination of the bosh and a less 
contracted el- 
; ad 
Incandescent chia ‘has the peculiarity of tang: rapidly 
extinguished when struck with a blast of cold air, the loss of 
heat from this source exceeding that resulting from combustion ; 
and although this phenomenon does not take place when the 
temperature exceeds a certain point, the vast accession of cold 
air in a blast furnace, may be sufficient under slightly unfavora 
e conditions, t to produce it at any time. Henee a hot Bes 
which is economical when charcoal is used, becomes an éssential 
element:of siccess with anthracite ; and its domperatante should 
not be less than is sufficient’ to smelt aslip of lead opposed to a 
jet of it near the twiers. Anthracite being a very dense and 
figures ; 
alungo Ee Parnes at Colucbiee poe aby y Messrs. B 
al GP Se ae a | oy 
