chemistry1969 wrote:
Doug,
Blue coal was a marketing tool that the Hudson Coal Company used to sell their coal. As the coal was leaving the Huber Breaker in Ashley, Pa. they would spray the coal a bright blue color. The company's claim was that blue coal burned hotter and better then the competition. The coal was no different than any other coal from the particular seams that they were working in the Wyoming Valley. You can still see the sprayers in the breaker with the blue color on them. If anyone knows any more, please add on to what I have said.
Scott K
Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating! I never knew this!!!! I always assumed that the term "Blue" was a reference to Blue Mountain in PA. Realize that I didn't know exactly where there mines were located and only had a rather weak handle where Blue Mountain was. I thought I saw it once from the Pennsylvania Turnpike or something.
That said, a lot of the anthracite I burn often has shades of blue to it. Some batches more than others. I assume it's from copper or something or maybe it's just the way the light is refracted, I don't know.
Someone else mentioned tags in the coal. I have never seen that but one mystery I've had is ground up pieces of wood. Almost like someone put some railroad ties through a shredder. I have never known what they were, if they were from mine timbers or what. Once again, some loads have more than others. There have been times when some loads have had so much of it, that I picked them out and used them to help start the fire with!
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
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