511.    CHEMICAL AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING.  Germans Investigate Methods for Processing Lignite.  Vol. 41, 1934, p. 666.

                  Among competing projects must be mentioned the method by Prof. Franz Fischer, the leader of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research in Mülhelm.  Petroleum products, from gasoline to high-melting paraffins, may be produced synthetically from water gas, mixtures of CO and H₂.  The process has been developed to the point where 160 gm. gasoline is obtained per m.³ gas at atmospheric pressure and a temperature below 200° C. with aid of highly active catalysts (alloy skeletons, see abs. 512).  By an oil-circulation system the temperature of the catalyst may be kept at the optimum.  The first industrial pilot plant will be started in the near future by Ruhrchemie A.-G.  Coal, coke, lignite, peat coke, and charcoal may all be used as raw materials.  With a coke price of RM. 18 gasoline may be produced at a cost of RM. 0.22 per kg. or RM. 0.165 per 1.  It is hoped that an increased yield may permit a reduction in this cost.