LIGNITE COAL BRIQUETTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 293, 6 September 1919, Page 10

LIGNITE COAL BRIQUETTES

_ ._8 Of all the various classes of coal found in New Zealand, lignite appears to be tho most plentiful, but its value as fuel is comparatively small. But tins lignite coal can be turned to account, and the efforts that are being made in Canada should prove of value to us. A large proportion of Canada's coal is lignite or iignitic, ciuil it J» scaled that »y carbonising this lignite a coke or enarcoiU can bo obtained which can be readily compressed into briquettes, and the result is to turn two tons of inferior fuel into one ton of briquettes, approximating in heating value,to good average coal. In addition, by-products, such as oil, pitch, sulphate of ammonia, and gas oris recoverable. With the object of developin" a briquette-making industry the Lignite Utilisation Board of Canada has been formed,'and iSO.OOO has been appropriated for limuiciiig the board. JJus boaftl is to make a thorough investigation of all machines and processes in use, covering the carbonisation of coal, the use of binders anil briquetting. Meimmediate objective is the production of domestic fuel, but the by-producis will bo studied, as well as tho use ot carbonised or 'powdered fuel for commercial power purposes. In .New Zealand tho quantity of lignite proved to exist is "78 500,0110 tons, nml the probable qrnintity is estimated at 83!),000,000 lons.wlnle the possiblo quantity js said to bo_ very J'lrgc In view of this it seems desirable that '«ome investigations should be made here on the lines of tho Canadian inquiry. ,