Variation in Coal Sizes?

e.alleg · Post by **e.alleg** » Thu. Nov. 15, 2007 9:07 pm

I just got another batch of rice coal delivered, the first batch was mostly very small pieces about the size of a kernel of corn or smaller, this batch has probably 70% small kernel sizes, the rest is larger and some pieces are about 1 1/2" long, 3/4" wide and 1/2" thick. It looks like long thin strips. It seems to burn the same so no worries but I was surprised to see the larger chunks, some are really big I saved them for the kids stockings. My price is the same for pea coal as it is for rice so I don't really understand why there is such a variation in size.

bksaun · Post by **bksaun** » Thu. Nov. 15, 2007 9:17 pm

I noticed the same thing when I changed brands of bagged rice, one brand had a few pieces of nut size mixed in. The stove burned it OK, but I kept a coffee can full and filled a Christmas stocking for my sister in law.

BK

coal berner · Post by **coal berner** » Thu. Nov. 15, 2007 10:05 pm

e.alleg wrote:I just got another batch of rice coal delivered, the first batch was mostly very small pieces about the size of a kernel of corn or smaller, this batch has probably 70% small kernel sizes, the rest is larger and some pieces are about 1 1/2" long, 3/4" wide and 1/2" thick. It looks like long thin strips. It seems to burn the same so no worries but I was surprised to see the larger chunks, some are really big I saved them for the kids stockings. My price is the same for pea coal as it is for rice so I don't really understand why there is such a variation in size.

Hey e.alleg Sound like they are mixing in some Buckwheat in with there rice That happends when they get low on rice or it came from a different breaker Also if the breaker dosn't change there screens out you will get different sizes The sreens wear out after a while and you will get bigger sizes They will also mix it like I said no when the rice gets low big deal it will still burn

coal berner · Post by **coal berner** » Thu. Nov. 15, 2007 10:23 pm

bksaun wrote:I noticed the same thing when I changed brands of bagged rice, one brand had a few pieces of nut size mixed in. The stove burned it OK, but I kept a coffee can full and filled a Christmas stocking for my sister in law.

BK

Well BK That will Happened when they load it into the hopper conveyor system if they did not clean it out from when they where bagging nut you will get a few pieces of bigger coal but that is three sizes different must of been a friday or monday when they where loading the bags

or if the pial of rice was next to the nut it could but most good breakers
keep them apart barley rice buckwheat pea chestnut stove are the way they keep them in order who knows maybe you got the lucky bags

e.alleg · Post by **e.alleg** » Mon. Nov. 19, 2007 8:28 pm

Well I found some of the bigger chunks from each bag in my ash pan. They look like rocks with iron ore in them.

Post by **stoker-man** » Wed. Nov. 21, 2007 11:30 am

I hear this question at least once a week. The coal hasn't been uniform in size. The stuff that looks like unburned coal is probably shale, because think of it, how could you have a bed of glowing red coal and pieces not get burned?

I also am asked once a week if buckwheat can be mixed with rice coal and still burn OK in the efm 520 stoker. You can probably get away with it in the winter, but in the warmer months, you may encounter outfires. It is also harder on the worm, shear pin, and really everything when you burn buckwheat in the 520, therefore we know it's done, but don't recommend it.

It's interesting to note that in the '70s, lab experimenting was done to see if the 520 could burn corn. The results were that it was possible to burn all corn if the stoker was running 24 hours a day. It's not uncommon for farmers to mix coal and corn and have a trouble-free system, with no adjustments to the air and feed. With the price of corn nowadays I don't know if it makes sense to burn it.

gaw · Post by **gaw** » Thu. Nov. 22, 2007 8:34 pm

stoker-man wrote:I
It's interesting to note that in the '70s, lab experimenting was done to see if the 520 could burn corn. The results were that it was possible to burn all corn if the stoker was running 24 hours a day. It's not uncommon for farmers to mix coal and corn and have a trouble-free system, with no adjustments to the air and feed. With the price of corn nowadays I don't know if it makes sense to burn it.

Thats interesting! I have heard rumors of the EFM being able to burn corn but never knew anyone who ever did it.