1759. KING, J. G. Production of Liquid Fuels From Coal. Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., vol. 46, 1927, pp. 181-186T; Gas Jour., vol. 177, 1927, pp. 391-392; Chem. Age, vol. 16, 1927, p. 86; British Chem. Abs., 1927, B, p. 641; Chem. Abs., vol. 21, 1927, p. 2546.

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Literature Abstracts

Three main lines along which the problem of oil production from coal is being attacked are described and the latest results reviewed. The effect of temperature of carbonization on the constitution of low-temperature tar is illustrated by experiments carried out at the Fuel Research Station. There are indications that 550°-600° is a critical temperature so far as the tar is concerned when external heating is used. At 600° only 8.8% of the tar is saturated. On a large scale the yields of tar are not much greater than 16.5 gal. per ton of coal, and if 50,000,000 tons of coal was carbonized only 150,000,000 gal. of motor spirit and 550,000,000 gal. of tar oils would be available – much less than the country’s requirements. The Bergius process offers technically 100-130 gal. of oil per ton of coal or up to 60% by weight of suitable coals. The plant is described and yields are quoted. The catalytic production of alcohols and hydrocarbons from CO is showing considerable promise for the future, but so far results are only experimental. The recent work of Fischer and Tropsch in producing petroleumlike hydrocarbons shows particular promise. The catalysts used and the nature of the end products are described.