[TheForge] propane vs coal in current energy market

[Steve Smith]

Thanks for some good information, Darrell.

I just "measured" my single burner (atmospheric) forge for propane 
consumption. It went through about one pound of propane (4 or 5 pounds 
per gallon) in 45 minutes at 10psi. I put measured in quotes since the 
scale tick marks are only 1 pound, so not very accurate. Normally for 
forging I use it at 3-5 psi. So another way of looking at it is that 
even at 10psi it is costing me very little per hour.

More burners run into more propane, of course. Also, this forge achieved 
its design objective--to consume a lot less propane than my 3 burner, 
which really guzzles.

Steve Smith


Darrell wrote:
>  The heat content of bituminous coal ranges from 21 to 30 million Btu/ton
> About 92,000 BTU's per gallon of propane.
> At $1.29 per gallon, it would take between 228 and 326 dollars worth of
> propane to get the same number of BTU as a ton of coal.
> Darrell
> 
> 
> 
>>hello;
>>
>>given the current energy market with increasing prices particularly for
>>propane i was wondering last night if any one or organization has done
>>an analysis comparing the cost of propane and coal. after searching for
>>several hours on the internet if such an analysis has been done it is
>>not readily available.
>>
>>while illinois has coal and it is being mined to a limited extent it is
>>not a good quality coal for use in blacksmithing or foundry work. the
>>sulfur content is high and fixed carbon content is low. this means that
>>coal for blacksmithing or foundry work must be imported into illinois
>>from either other states or other countries.
>>
>>during my search for information it was apparent that obviously those
>>closer to the east coast coal mines pay less and as distance from the
>>east coast mines increases so does the price per ton. this is once again
>>due to the higher fuel costs associated with shipping. ( sort of
>>catch-22 )
>>
>>i have always used propane, but with propane at $1.29 per gallon in 2004
>>compared to $0.49 per gallon in 2000 i am investigating the feasibility
>>of switching fuels.
>>
>>any suggestions, hints, pointers would be apprepriated.
>>
>>-- 
>>terry l. ridder ><>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>>theforge mail list group photo site is
>>http://www.photoaccess.com
>>Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>>password:  anvil
>>___________
>>
>>
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
>