1433. HODGINS, E. Coal. I. Industrial Darkness. II. Coal Miner Speaks. III. Fuel Revolution. Fortune, vol. 35, No. 3, 1947, pp. 85-95, 221-232; No. 4, pp. 99-105, 238-254.

Return to Abstracts of Literature 1250-1499

Literature Abstracts

Discusses the economy of the coal industry and lays special emphasis on the inefficiency of the methods for mining, transporting, and consuming it. In attempting to answer the question, “What shall we do about it?”, the technology of the modern developments in the processing of coal and its consumption is presented. The one imperative requirement appears to be that coal must be gasified, and it is from this viewpoint that the subject matter of this article is developed. Various developments are discussed: Underground gasification, total gasification by producer gas methods, such as the Winkler and Lurgi processes, the Bergius process of coal hydrogenation, the Fischer-Tropsch catalytic gas-conversion process, in particular the Americanized version, the Hydrocol process, and the power-gas turbine. Only coal hydrogenation and shale oil are ruled out as being uneconomical compared with other processes. The most favorable method of coal beneficiation from an economic standpoint appears to be total gasification under pressure and oxidation at the mine into a high B.t.u. (600 B.t.u. and above) gas, supplemented if desired by a phase of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction to convert part of the CO and H₂ into a rich blending gas, thus producing a rich fuel gas capable of pipeline transportation in direct competition with transported coal or petroleum at the point of consumption. Alternative methods are presented such as the method planned by the Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. that leads from coal to gas, gasoline, and chemicals, or the Hydrocol process or a modification thereof adapted to coal instead of natural gas. It is believed that, given consistent development of the new technology, consumption of coal would rise to an enormous extent.

HOENE, J. V. See abs. 3262.