[TheForge] Water on your coal forge fire?

[David E. Smucker]

Thanks for all of the great replies on my questions on the use of water on
your coal.  These will be very useful as I put this article together.  I am
still interested in other comments so this is in no way meant to shut off
the discussion.  I am still waiting to hear what Bruce might think is going
on in the chemistry of water on hot coal -- but for the most part I have the
impression that Bruce doesn't get to "theforge" on the week end.

A special thanks to Tom, for his thoughtful and in-depth reply -- most
helpful.

Dave Smucker  (see my original request below)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David E. Smucker" <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
To: "AAA TheForge AAA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 5:19 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Water on your coal forge fire?


> I am looking for information on the subject of using water on your coal
> forge fire for a future article for the AACB Newsletter.
>
> Many folks do not use water or at most just a little bit - while others
use
> quite a bit.  Why?  In our part of the country smiths who spent time with
> Francis during their formative years seem to use quite a bit of water to
> control their fire while many others I have watch do not.
>
> I have read statements by some self-appointed blacksmith experts that
> putting water on your fire is stupid because it just wastes BTUs.  Is this
> really the case?  I don't think it is a waste of BTUs because I feel it
aids
> in the production of coke.  Coke is what we really want to burn in our
forge
> because of its high local BTU output and clean fire.  (If forming coke
were
> just a waste of BTUs the steel industry would not go to all of the trouble
> of making coke - they would just use coal.)
>
> I am also interested in the chemical reaction of water on hot / burning
> coal.  It generates CO as a gas (blue flame) and at one time was used as a
> production method for "town gas" before the wide spread availability of
> natural gas (methane).
>
> How many of you use water on your fire and how much.  Why?
>
> And I all ready know that most of you don't use much water in your propane
> forges.

> Dave Smucker
>
> Editor, AACB newsletter
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> ___________
>
>
>