COAL BIN

elkvu · By: **elkvu** On: Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:00 pm

I HAVE A COAL BIN 8 FEET X 8 FEET.HOW HIGH SHOULD 4 TON OF COAL BE ? THANKS

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:28 pm

I think it is 40 cubic feet per ton, 40 X 4 = 160
8 X 8 X 2.5 = 160
Just thinking outloud, but thats my guess. 2.5'

Richard S. · By: **Richard S.** On: Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:58 am

Approximately 40 cubic feet, there's two factors to consider that can change that. The biggest is the size of the coal, rice coal takes up much more space. Using my truck as an example rice will be mounded up and on the flipside stove will barely be level with the top. Eyeballing it may give the appearance of at least half a ton more. The other factor is the coal itself, it can run light or heavy.

Having said that your bin should be at least half full if it's 4 feet high. Also note that's based on a full 8x8x4. If you' bins walls comprise of 2x4's and the plywood is on the inside the walls will take up about 1/2 ton of the top of my head.

coalkirk · By: **coalkirk** On: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:52 am

[quote="NEPAForum Admin"]Approximately 40 cubic feet, there's two factors to consider that can change that. The biggest is the size of the coal, rice coal takes up much more space. Using my truck as an example rice will be mounded up and on the flipside stove will barely be level with the top. Eyeballing it may give the appearance of at least half a ton more. The other factor is the coal itself, it can run light or heavy.

That doesn't seem right. Rice coal should take up less room as the pieces are very small and pack together tightly with less air space between the pieces. It seems it should take up less room. I'm not doubting you coalman as I know you would know for sure. but can you explain why?

Richard S. · By: **Richard S.** On: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:36 am

Nothing packs together more tightly than solid pieces. :wink:

The space between each piece of rice will be less but you have a huge amount of surface area, probably factored by the millions... but I'm no mathematician. :lol:

I'd imagine if you vibrated it they might be equal or so. Both lose volume on the truck over the road, especially on very long trips.

dll · By: **dll** On: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:45 am

I have a 1980's book about heating with coal, in it is a chart that lists the amount of space taken up by various sizes of coal.

Size ------- Cubic feet/ton

Broken -------- 35.18
Egg ------------ 34.62
Stove --------- 34.39
Nut ------------ 34.32
Pea ------------ 37.60
Buckwheat ---- 37.01

The book says that the chart takes into account the slight variations of coal qualities among producers.

It also shows that the smaller sized coal takes up more space than the larger sizes.
Example:
2 tons of Nut is 34.32 x 2 = 68.64 cubic feet
2 tons of Pea is 37.60 x 2 = 75.20 cubic feet

From an engineering standpoint I would say that the 40 cubic feet/ton is close enough for calculating the size of a coal bin no matter what size coal you are using.