Reprint from the SPECTATOR, March 10th, 1923.
MATERIAL REVIEW.
ANTI-WASTE COMPRESSED ANTHRACITE COAL.
Tax Patent Fuel Marketing Company, 16-17 Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1, have submitted to us specimens of their anthracite Ovoids,* suitable for burning in open fireplaces or i
stoves. The claim that is made for it is that it is smokeless, except for the first few minutes after the fuel, which is made in small ovals about the size of a plover's egg, is put on the fire. It is also claimed for it that combustion is so complete that there is no clinker. It is further alleged that the heat given out is greater than that given out by ordinary coal ; that it lasts nearly double the time of ordinary coal. Finally, the cost of an ordinary domestic fire is stated to be less than id. an hour—to be exact, .41d.—as against good coal, such as Derby Brights, which costs .65d. per hour, that is nearly Id.
The present reviewer has not been content with seeing the Ovoids burning at the company's office, but has given them a long trial in his house, has stoked the fires himself, has cross. examined the servants who use them, and is sitting by an Ovoid fire burning in an ordinary London grate in Eaton
i Square at the time of writing. He is convinced by such trial that the claim made for them is good in all respects as to heating-power, easiness of lighting, little need for stoking.
When the patent fuel is burnt not in ordinary grates, but in kitchen ranges, or, more important still, in independent hot-water boilers, the results are very satisfactory. This is largely due to the absence of cinders, clinkers and serious smoke. The Ovoid fires not only heat the water well, but keep in.
In conclusion, and this is the most important thing of all, the man who burns Ovoids in his grate is not helping to poison the air and spoiling all urban and half rural England for its unfortunate inhabitants.
A series of facts about " patent " smokeless and semi- smokeless fuels are to be found in an interesting little book written by Mr. J. Arthur Greene (Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. Price 3s.). In this book many interesting things from the public point of view are told as regards Ovoids and other smokeless fuels.t R * Can be obtained direct from themselves or from their agents throughout the country at 55e. per ton. .1. To be has from any bookseller or direct from the Patent Fuel Marketing Co., Ltd. (Telephones : Regent 1859 and 4885.)
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