WASHING TESTS. 
By John D. Wick. 
INTRODUCTION . 
As noted in the description of the washing tests made during 1904, « the lack of adequate- 
storage facilities and the constant demand on the conveying and weighing apparatus for 
delivering coal to the boilers and producer greatly interfered with the washing tests and 
tended somewhat to vitiate the results. 
IMPROVEMENT IN EQUIPMENT. 
In order to eliminate these difficulties, important changes were made at the beginning of 
1905 in the arrangement of the washery building. To the four 35-ton and two 172-ton 
storage bins in use during 1904 were added five 35-ton bins, which increased the storage 
capacity of the washery building from 175 tons to 350 tons. The construction of three 
50-ton auxiliary bins on the ground adjacent to the coke ovens further increased the capac- 
ity to 500 tons. 
A 30-inch Jeffrey conveying belt was installed running from the car siding directly to the 
gas producer and boilers. This is used to deliver coal to the gas producer and boilers with- 
out crushing, or, in other words, in the same condition as when received from the mine. 
This conveyer has the additional advantage of relieving the main conveyer in the washery 
building of a large portion of work, leaving it available for use in connection with washing 
tests. 
In rearranging the washing apparatus the Stewart modified jig in use during 1904 was 
retained, but the New Century jig was replaced by two Luhrig fine-coal jigs. The Stewart 
jig will wash coal composed of pieces crushed to 1| inches in diameter, but the Luhrig jigs 
can be used only for coal one-half inch in diameter or less. With this equipment washing tests 
have been made with considerably better results than were obtained in 1904, and owing to 
the increased storage facilities larger samples of coal have been treated, affording a better 
opportunity for accurate adjustment of the jigs and for continuous runs approximating 
practical washing conditions. The water for washing tests is taken from the city mains 
and is reused by being pumped from the settling tank back to tfi3 jigs. 
TESTS MADE. 
Thirt}r-eight samples of coal from eight States, as enumerated below, were washed during 
the period from May 1, 1905, to January 1, 1906. The results of these washing tests will 
be found in the detailed report on each sample, presented on pages 53-233 of this report. 
Illinois No. 6.— Run-of-mine coal from Coffeen mine, Clover Leaf Coal Company, Coffeen, Hi. ; washed 
for steaming test. 
Illinois No. 7.— Slack coal from No. 2 mine, Lumaghi Coal Company, Collinsville, 111.; washed for 
steaming and coking tests. 
Illinois No. 9.— Run-of-mine coal from No. 2 mine, Mount Olive and Staunton Coal Company, Staun- 
ton, 111. 
a Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 2G1, 1905, p. 60. 
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