Other Methods.

Of other means for increasing economy and efficiency in the use of fuel, some reference should be made to two methods by which solid coal can be used to some extent in a form which gives certain of the advantages of oil firing. If coal be pulverised to a sufficiently fine powder, it can be blown into furnaces, and a very complete combustion and great ease of control can be obtained. A further advantage is that fine coal, and coal containing a high percentage of ash, can be utilised. The use of pulverised coal is extending in America and on the Continent, and would appear to have advantages for use in this country in suitable cases. If the finely divided coal be intimately mixed with fuel oil, there results the so-called colloidal fuel, which can be used in the same way as ordinary fuel oil for boiler-firing in ships and elsewhere. It has the advantage that a substantial proportion (25-30 per cent.) of the fuel, namely, the coal, is produced in this country. It has the disadvantage that sooner or later the coal is liable to separate out from the oil, and to clog the pipes. There is room for further investigation as to the possibilities of pulverised coal and colloidal fuel for use in this country.

Co-ordination of Coal-using Industries.

We turn to the wider question, which of the many possible methods, or combinations of methods, of using the coal should be adopted in any given case. The answer must necessarily depend upon a variety of factors. The principal factors are:

(a) The composition of the coals that are available, and their comparative prices.

(b) The possibility of using small or waste coal.

(c) The markets that are available for the energy or the byproducts, and the prices to be obtained.

(d) The capital costs of the alternative plants.

(e) The labour costs of the processes.

For the generation of electricity, the existence of adequate water-supplies for cooling.

A decision can be reached in a particular case only by a careful estimating and balancing of these factors.

The locality to be selected for an enterprise-whether it should be situated in the neighbourhood of collieries, or of blast furnaces, or of other industries, or of a consuming population-depends upon similar considerations. It depends also upon the comparative costs of transporting raw coal, or coke, or electricity, or heat, or gas, as the case may be. These are highly technical questions on which only the engineer or chemist is qualified to

speak. The answers must necessarily vary also with the circumstances, so that not even the expert can generalise. Certain conclusions, germane to our present inquiry, can, however, be drawn from a survey of the existing situation.

(1) Present methods utilise as a rule only a fraction of the
potential energy of the coal.

(2) The burning of raw coal is frequently wasteful.
(3) It may, however, be more economical in some cases to
burn low grade coal to produce power at or near the pit,
than to pay for the transport of such coal, or of a higher
grade coal, to be used more scientifically elsewhere.

Many industries require large quantities of low grade heat, that is heat at low temperatures; others require heat at high temperatures under conditions where much of the energy is necessarily surplus. In such circumstances it is often possible to generate power at a very low cost, provided that the power is generated close to the spot at which the heat is required. The provision of a network of electric power mains covering the country, into which power could be fed at any point, or from which power could be taken as required, would enable full advantage to be taken of cheap power available in any place in excess of local requirements, and thus form a means of utilising to the full any waste heat that may be available.

The question, then, is not one of a simple choice between one or two alternative methods, such as burning raw coal to produce steam power on the one hand, or to produce electricity on the other; but of the balancing of a variety of factors, and often of a combination of possible processes.

It has been strongly impressed upon us as the outcome of our inquiries that it is an error to suppose that the only, or even the principal, object to be aimed at in this connection is the most economical method of producing electricity. The object to be aimed at is the most economical and efficient way of utilising the energy embodied in the coal. The question is not the coordination, as is often supposed, of two industries-coal and electricity; but of several-coal, electricity, gas, oil, chemical products, blast furnaces, coke ovens, etc. Two or more methods, dealing with two, three or more of these, may be used simultaneously in combination, one feeding the other.

The point of importance is that no obstacles, whether of State regulation or industrial organisation, should be placed in the way of the development of such combinations, in whatever manner engineering and chemical skill, and the economic conditions, may indicate as the most suitable. Sometimes a single commercial undertaking, divided into a number of departments, may conduct several of such industries, either in the same place or in different places. Sometimes there may be separate companies, associated by permanent commercial agreements. Sometimes there may be

separate companies, dealing with one another only by way of ordinary contracts. It should be clearly recognised and constantly emphasised that the interests of the industries of mining, gasworks, electricity stations, coke and by-product undertakings, and blast-furnaces are closely interlocked, and it is to the obvious interest of those who are engaged in them, whether employers or employed, that they should encourage whatever combinations are desirable in each particular case to promote their mutual prosperity.

A National Supervisory Body

In a memorandum prepared by Dr. Lander, it is stated that "no comprehensive survey has ever been made of the heat, light and power requirements of various industries or of the country as a whole, and how they can be most economically met by the various processes at present commercially feasible; still less has the broad question been considered from the point of view of possible development in the future." We consider that such a survey is imperatively required in the national interest. But we hold the view that it is not a matter on which a single investigation, undertaken at a particular time, would be likely to furnish the most fruitful results. The problems to be dealt with are so diverse, and the sciences and practices that are concerned are in a state of such active development, that the survey which is needed should rather be a continuous process, undertaken by a body of a permanent character.

So far as electricity is concerned, a valuable method of securing the effective treatment of its special problems and interests has been adopted through the appointment of an Electricity Commission. We shall find it necessary, in a later chapter, to recommend the appointment of a body of Coal Commissioners, for the performance of duties which will be described in the appropriate part of this Report. The Gas Industry has organised its own Gas Council, which represents both the Municipal Authorities and the commercial companies that are engaged in it. These various bodies would cover much the greater part of the activities which it is desirable to co-ordinate. We have not had the opportunity of taking evidence on this point from the Electricity Commissioners or the Gas Council, or the other bodies concerned. We therefore abstain from making any definite recommendation. But we venture to suggest for consideration the formation of a Standing Conference, composed, perhaps, of the Chairman and other representatives of the three bodies we have mentioned. In the case of coal, the Secretary for Mines might find it preferable, however, to choose some representative who was not the Chairman or a member of the Coal Commission. There might be included also representatives of the oil interest, and of the coking and byproducts and the chemical industries. This body, under some such title as the National Fuel and Power Committee, would

exercise functions that would be advisory and not executive. Its primary task would be to ensure that, while a healthy competition should be maintained, where it was legitimate, between these various interests, their energies should be developed in a manner complementary, in the main, to each other; and that the actions of the State and of local authorities should be guided by a survey which would be comprehensive and not one-sided. Such a committee would doubtless keep in close touch with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

It might perhaps be found desirable to add to its membership representatives of the Association of Municipal Corporations and of the County Councils Association, since important questions relating to Local Government areas and the powers of their authorities arise in this connection. These areas, the outcome of their historical origins, suitable as they no doubt are for most of the purposes with which they are concerned, do not necessarily correspond with the areas which should be adopted when schemes relating to fuel and power are in question. The adjustments necessary in particular cases could be advantageously considered under the auspices of a central body such as that which we suggest.

CHAPTER IV.-RESEARCH.

Research connected with coal may be divided broadly into :

A.-Occurrence and Constitution.

B.-Coal Winning.

C.-Coal Utilisation.

These main divisions may be sub-divided as follows:

A-OCCURRENCE AND CONSTITUTION.

(1) The geology of the occurrence of coal.

(2) The constitution of coal in general, and the characteristics of the individual seams in particular.

B.-COAL WINNING.

(1) The characteristics of the coal measures from the point of view of coal winning.

(2) Methods of working, plant, apparatus, appliances and material.

(3) Ventilation.

(4) The human side.

(5) Safety.

(6) Health.

(7) Preparation of the coal for the market-including cleaning, grading, etc.

C.-COAL UTILISATION.

(1) Utilisation of coal in its natural state.

(2) Treatment of coal for the production of other forms of fuel with the possible recovery of products other than fuel :

(a) By destructive distillation at high temperatures.
(b) By destructive distillation at low temperatures.

(c) By pulverising for the production of "colloidal” fuel.
(d) By liquefaction.

(e) By synthetic methods.

Certain matters in connection with the materials, such as fire-clay etc., often closely associated with the coal measures, should also receive attention.

Research work on these problems, many of which are interdependent, is at present being carried out by a number of organisations, boards and committees. Most of these bodies are in touch with one another owing to the fact that certain of the members serve on more than one of them.

The following is a brief statement of the manner in which the various problems enumerated above are being dealt with.