1161.    ----------------.  [GAUGER, A. W.]  Interconversion of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Fuels.  Physical Chemistry and Technology of Fuels.  21^st Ann. Priestley Lectures, Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa., 1947, pp. 43-63.

       General procedure in the commercial hydrogenation of coal is described.  Whereas in Europe it required from 4-4.5 tons of coal to produce 1 ton of gasoline at an overall thermal efficiency of about 42%, the Bureau of Mines has recently demonstrated that 1 ton of gasoline can be produced on an improved plant from 3.14 tons of coal at an overall thermal efficiency of 56.4% compared to 28.9% for a typical German plant.  The chemistry of coal hydrogenation and the effect of various factors, such as coal composition, turbulence, liquefaction H adsorption, catalysts, etc., on the hydrogenation process are briefly reviewed.  It has previously been indicated that the primary process in hydrogenation is the formation of heavy oil, which is later converted into lighter products and hydrocarbon gases, but it is recently reported that the primary product is asphalt.  As to the character of the products formed, the subject is still exceedingly complex, but current studies of the middle oil are developing considerable interest and probably will lead to products of commercial value.  The isolation of several polynuclear aromatic compounds of high molecular weight has already been reported.  The synthesis of MeOH and other hydrocarbons from CO and H₂ is discussed at some length and the thermodynamics and the mechanism of the processes set forth in detail.  Considers commercial development of the synthetic oil processes and their economic possibilities.

       See abs. 930.