TEXTBOOK FOR STUDENTS OF MINING, MINING
ENGINEERS AND CANDIDATES PREPARING
FOR MINING EXAMINATIONS

Designed for Working Out the Various Problems That
Arise in the Practice of Coal Mining, as They Relate
to the Safe and Efficient Operation of Mines

BY

JAMES T. BEARD, C. E., E. M.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR, COAL AGE; FORMERLY PRINCIPAL SCHOOL OF MINES, INTER-
NATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, AND ASSOCIATE EDITOR MINES AND MINER-,
ALS, SCRANTON, PA.; PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, SCHOOL OF THE LACKAWANNA;
SECRETARY STATE BOARD OF MINE EXAMINERS, IOWA; MEMBER AMERICAN INSTITUTE
MINING ENGINEERS; INSTITUTION OF MINING ENGINEERS, ENGLAND; MINE INSPEC-
TORS' INSTITUTE OF AMERICA; FELLOW AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCE-
MENT OF SCIENCE.

SECOND EDITION.

REVISED AND ENLARGED

MCGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY, INC.

NEW YORK: 239 WEST 39TH STREET
LONDON: 6 & 8 BOUVERIE ST., E. C. 4

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

Any one who has been closely associated with the practical operation of coal mines will realize quickly the need of technical knowledge relating to the safe and economical production of coal. In no department of the work is this need more urgent than in the ventilation of the mine.

A knowledge of the properties and behavior of the gases found or generated in the mine, and the means for effecting their safe removal or rendering them harmless are of chief importance, requiring careful study combined with practical experience in the operation of mines.

Experience, without a knowledge of the theory of mining, is little better than is the possession of such knowledge by one who has had no experience in the practical work. Experience and knowledge must go hand in hand.

The problems relating air, gases, ventilation, safety lamps, breathing apparatus, rescue work, gas and dust explosions in mines are treated in a thoroughly practical manner, while at the same time showing their correct solution. Formulas must always play an important part in mine ventilation and their treatment is made as simple as possible.

No effort has been spared to make this volume a standard of ventilating practice. With this end in view, the various constants used have been carefully selected and are those most generally adopted. Particularly is this true of the tables of weight and measures and the conversion tables relating to the common and metric systems given in the Addenda. Their use is recommended.

The present volume, which replaces the little booklet issued by Coal Age, some time previous, under the same title, will be recognized as a second edition of that handbook, though greatly enlarged by the addition of whole new sections on Safety Lamps, Oils, Breathing Apparatus, Rescue Work and numerous tables, making it a complete treatise on the subject. The author desires to thank those who have generously lent their

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aid in the work, among whom he would particularly mention James W. Paul, Mining Engineer, Federal Bureau of Mines, and J. T. Ryan, Vice-president and General Manager, Mine Safety Appliances Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.

NEW YORK CITY,

June, 1920.

JAMES T. BEARD.