2067.     ---------------.  [LATEGAN, P. N.]  Oil From Coal.  South African Min. and Eng. Jour., vol. 51, 1940, pp. 625-627; Coke Smokeless-Fuel Age, vol. 2, 1940, pp. 258-259; Chem. Abs., vol. 34, 1940, p. 8218.

        In the Fischer-Tropsch process, the yield of gasoline is 1 ton per 5-6 tons of coal processed; the economic unit is much smaller than for hydrogenation, but the thermal efficiency is about ½ that of the hydrogenation process.  It is believed that relative costs of production would be about the same in South Africa as in Great Britain, cheaper raw material and labor being offset by higher capital cost.  Construction of the smallest economic units in South Africa is recommended to gain data and experience.  The Fischer process would involve the lower capital expenditure.  Its synthesis gas forms the basis of other chemical industries.  Coal mined in conjunction with torbanite is very suitable for the production of synthesis gas.