COKING TESTS. 19 
PERSONNEL. 
The writer took charge of this work in May, 1905, succeeding Fred 
W. Stammler, of Johnstown, Pa. He was assisted by W. E. Vickers, 
of Pocahontas, Va., to whom in large measure is due whatever suc- 
cess has been obtained during these investigations. 
PROCEDURE OF TESTS. 
All coal was finely crushed through a Williams mill unless other- 
wise tested for definite comparison of results, and these exceptions 
are noted in the subjoined detailed report (pp. 21-26). The coals 
not crushed were, when unloaded from the cars, put through rolls 
having an aperture of 1} inches. The coals put through the Williams 
mill will vary somewhat, depending on the nature of the coal, but will 
practically all pass through a 10-mesh sieve, as shown by the following 
report by the laboratory on an average sample: Amount remaining 
on 10-mesh, 15.08 per cent; on 20-mesh, 35.71 per cent; on 30-mesh, 
12.89 'per cent; on 40-mesh, 8.53 per cent; on 60-mesh, 9.33 per cent; 
on 100-mesh, 9.13 per cent; through 100-mesh, 9.33 per cent. 
Both the door and the trunnel head of the oven were always closed 
directly after the oven was drawn and it was allowed to gather heat, 
the length of time varying as necessity demanded. The average time 
was one and one-half hours. 
The sample of coal was taken at regular intervals as the charge was 
emptied from bin to larry, by means of a small shovel holding about 
one-fourth pound. The total weight of the sample averaged 45 
pounds. 
The sample of coke was taken from five different parts of the oven, 
as nearly as possible from the same location for each test, as follows: 
2 feet from the oven door; 2 feet from each side, on a line drawn from 
the center of the oven; at the center; and 2 feet from the back wall, 
on a line with the point of selection of the pieces taken from the door 
and the center. The separate pieces of coke extended the whole 
height of the charge and were as nearly uniform in size as possible 
In beginning the series of tests, before the ovens were fully seasoned, 
the first charges showed a rather large percentage of breeze, and black 
butts due to cold bottom were produced. It was unfortunate that 
these first tests should have been made on coals that w r erc supposedly 
noncoking, as the condition of the oven did not permit it to give as 
effective service as it would probably have given under other and 
more favorable conditions. 
EXTENT OF TESTS. 
In the scope of this report, covering the period from Jul} T. I'M)."), 
to February 20, 1907', are included results from 192 tests of 102 coals 
from seventeen States and one Territory , as shown in the accom- 
