3227.     SMOLEY, E. R., TORREY, R. M., AND KNIEL, L.  Chemicals From Petroleum.  Petrol. Refiner, vol. 26, No. 11, 1947, p. 768-772; World Petrol., vol. 18, No. 12, 1947, pp. 78-81; Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 1043.

        Production of synthetic chemicals from petroleum has expanded from an output of 150,000 lb. in 1925 to almost 4 billion lb. in 1946.  The trend still is upwards with addition of several new chemicals.  The Fischer-Tropsch process also is adding many chemicals to the list, as is evidenced by the expected production from the 2 plants under construction for processing natural gas.  The estimated production of chemicals from one Hydrocol plant alone amounts to 152,450,000 lb. per yr.  The manufacture of C2H4 from petroleum and natural gas constituents is discussed at length, and a list of plants with approximate production is given.