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XXIV. Analysis of various Kinds of Pit -Coal. By David 

 Mushet, Esq. 



To Mr, TUloeh. Alfreton Iron-Works, 

 Nov. 10, ]808. 

 SIR, 



At has often been a matter of surprise to me that we should 

 possess so scanty a share of knowledge on the component 

 parts of pit-coal, or at least that so small a share of that 

 knowledge should meet the public eye. Except the analysis 

 given by Mr. Kirwan, I do not recollect any in our lan- 

 guage. After this short preface, I shall offer no apology for 

 sending you the details that follow. 



Welsh Furnace Coal from Cyfartha. 

 The appearance of this coal is deep shining jetty black, 

 possessed of an irregular crystallized fracture, rather in- 

 clining to soft and friable. Specific gravity 1*337. 



340 grains of this coal, in small pieces, were introduced 

 into a close fitted iron retort. It continued longer in the fire 

 without inflaming than the common sort of English or Scotch 

 coals, and afterwards burnt with a small quantity of lights- 

 coloured bituminous flame. Upon examining the result, I 

 found the pieces welded, though not run into one common 

 mass ; the exposed angles were all rounded, but no great 

 degree of adhesion had taken place. The coke thus obtained 

 was of a dark-gray silvery colour, very sonorous, and 

 weighed 311 grains. Loss 29 grains. 



Volatile matter lost in a heat nearly white 8*5 

 Coke obtained - _ - ni-5 



100 parts. 



100 grains of this coke were reduced to a fine powder, and 

 exposed in an iron capsule heated to redness in contact with 

 the external air. After the complete combustion of the car- 

 bonaceous matter, a grayish-red ash was found weighing 

 3*75 grains : the coke is therefore composed of carbon 96*25, 

 ashes 3*75, =100 parts.- And 100 parts, of ithis coal will be 

 composed as follows ; 



Volatile 



