Nut coal for a stoker

 
EricC
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Post by EricC » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 2:38 am

Is nut coal okay to use in a stoker furnace? I have only used pea coal but the place I normally get it only has nut coal. I am concerned about the size possibly getting caught in the auger and seizing it.


 
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Post by LehighanthraciteMatt » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 6:38 am

What brand is this unit? Most auger fed stoves will not use Nut coal.

 
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Post by StokerDon » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 9:30 am

Yes, what Matt said, what machine are you running that runs Pea size? I have never heard of any auger fed stoker that would run on Nut size.

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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 10:04 am

From EricC's other thread, the unit he's talking about looks like a pretty serious boiler:

download/file.php?id=76881&t=1

However, I can't find any description of the stoker unit or auger that would help answer his question. Also, it would be good to know his general whereabouts to be able to suggest alternative coal suppliers. If nothing else, he might consider substituting (big) buck for pea if his other options are limited.

Mike

 
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Post by McGiever » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 10:13 am

Which is this, Bituminous or Anthrastat?

 
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Post by EricC » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 10:44 am

Its Bituminous coal. The brand of the stoker is Winkler.

 
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Post by EricC » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 10:53 am

It is very similar to this one, but with a lot more age on it.

What Size Coal for a Winkler Stoker?


 
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 12:16 pm

As discussed in that link, your best bets for burning anthracite in it are pea and buckwheat. If you can't get pea, look for buck. And if you get to the point of trying to run it on buck, you'll probably need to give it more air relative to running on pea.

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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 1:21 pm

I've run nut in my Axeman. It will not flow to the auger throat without assistance but once it is in it works fine. I did have a chunk lodge in the auger and it gave me a little trouble when I switched back to pea. So yes it worked but required frequent attention to keep the transfer head full. It basically morphed into a hand fired unit on nut.

 
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Post by McGiever » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 1:34 pm

EricC wrote:
Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 10:44 am
Its Bituminous coal. The brand of the stoker is Winkler.


Being Bituminous coal that he is burning changes the "common" wisdom of Anthracite...

Coal Size References are from non-existent to unavailable...

https://www.sizes.com/materials/coal_bituminous.htm

https://www.sizes.com/materials/anthracite.htm

 
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 2:44 pm

If it's bit coal, and not just a bit coal stoker, it would be good if somebody could clarify where the term "pea" came from, since pea doesn't show up in McG's bit sizing chart. In the link provided by the OP, member LsFarm (Greg) described in detail burning pea, buck and rice anthracite in a bit stoker of similar design.

Mike

 
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Post by EricC » Sun. Dec. 23, 2018 11:09 pm

I’m located in southwestern Virginia. I talked around have found a different operation in McDowell County WV. Just have to find someone to haul it.

I did get some of the nut bit coal. It’s a blend of slack, stoker,and nut. I spoke to a friend and he said the nut coal will get broken up by the auger, even though it isn’t good for the auger. I was in a pinch and did have another choice. Thanks for the help. Anyone of other suppliers of stoker coal in SW VA?

 
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Post by EricC » Sun. Dec. 23, 2018 11:10 pm

*didn’t have another choice

 
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Post by corey » Mon. Dec. 24, 2018 1:12 pm

I know a place in Norton VA selling stoker coal.

Mountain Energy Resources

 
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Post by EricC » Mon. Dec. 24, 2018 2:35 pm

What’s the per ton price and haul fee?


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