142 ANNUAL REPORT 
DETERMINATION OF CARBON AND COAL ANALYSIS. 
This determination is best made by means of the usual carbon train 
or the Shimer crucible. Though the carbon determination is hardly ever 
necessary for the raw materials, it will give useful data in regard to 
the carbon left unburned in the cement. 
The ultimate analysis of coal is made in very few, if any, cement 
works but an occasional proximate analysis, determining the volatile 
combustible matter, the fixed carbon, moisture and ash, is very necessary. 
The question of the ash from coal is too much neglected in American 
cement practice; its influence upon the cement composition is very marked 
in some instances. The subject of the effect of the ash upon the cement’ 
should be carefully studied by every cement chemist for his particular 
cement and coal. For this purpose it is necessary, of course, to analyze 
the ash, which is done by treating it like clay, fusing with sodium car- 
bonate, and separating the silica, alumina, ferric oxide, lime and magnesia 
as usual. 
It need hardly be emphasized that the amount of sulphur in coal 
should receive careful consideration. With the present rapid methods 
of analysis available, there is no excuse for neglecting this important 
determination. An admirable method of rapid sulphur determination 
has been worked out by J. D. Pennock and D. A. Morton in the laboratory 
of the Solvay Process Co.* 
ANALYSIS OF THE KILN GASES. 
The most faithful representation of what takes place in a furnace 
of any kind is given by the analysis of the gases as they flow into the 
stack. It gives an accurate record of just what efficiency has been at- 
tained, whether too much or not enough air has been admitted. And yet 
our cement mills seem to ignore this valuable aid entirely, and do not 
seem to care to know whether or not they are exercising fuel economy. 
In some cases on record it is evident that from Io to 35 per cent. or more 
fuel is being wasted which might be saved. The writer is not now 
speaking of the losses inherent in the present rotary kiln, but losses due 
simply to excess of air in burning. 
Gas analysis is easily carried out by means of the well-known Orsat 
apparatus, requiring but little time and trouble. By means of a pipe 
system (3g-inch pipe) and a water syphon, samples of gas may be drawn 
continuously from any particular kiln, and the analysis carried on in the 
iaboratory, or by means of a portable sampler, easily and cheaply made 
from gas piping. ‘The contrivance may be set up at a kiln, the desired 
number of samples drawn and then taken to another kiln. The sample 
is drawn through a 34-inch pipe projecting from 2 to 4 feet into the 
upper end of the rotary kiln, the pipe being plugged at the end and 
*Journal American Chemical Society, December, 1903. 
