The little known anthracite coal deposits of Rhode Island andMassachusetts will furnish local coal to New England this winter, said Arthur Dehon Little, Cambridge, Mass., research chemist last week. The New England anthracite is very difficult to burn and contains 33% ash. But after treating by the “Trent” process it can be made low in ash, free burning and smokeless.
He explained: “Under the Trent method the coal is finely ground, wet with water and then violently agitated while fuel oil is run in. The coal particles gather into globules the size of French peas, while the ash is suspended in the water and run off. The coal becomes a putty-like amalgam which is then shaped and baked in the form of small briquettes. The fuel oil is mostly recovered.”
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