2068.     ---------------.  [LATEGAN, P. N.]  Production and Distribution of Petrol From Coal and From Imported Crude Petroleum.  Jour. Chem. Met. Min. Soc. South Africa, vol. 51, 1951, pp. 297-318; Coke and Gas, vol. 13, 1951, pp. 385-390.

Comparison of the production costs of synthesis gas for the Fischer-Tropsch process by the Koppers suspension method, the Winkler fluidized bed method, and the Lurgi fixed bed method shows that the costs per 1,000 cu. ft. are respectively 15.33 d., 16.74 d., and 18.40 d. (the latter after allowing credit of 3 d. for byproducts).  It is found that gasification costs represents 60-70% of the total cost of synthesis gasoline.  Capital costs for these 3 types of plants in South Africa capable of producing 300 million cu. ft. of gas per day are, respectively, ₤8 million, ₤5.6 million, and ₤15.3 million, not including ₤3 million for an O₂ plant.  There are 3 methods for carrying out the synthesis reaction:  The fixed-bed system, the liquid-medium system, and the fluidized system.  The total estimated cost for a complete oil-from-coal plant including a Koppers gasification, an O₂ plant, and a synthesis plant of 100 million gal. annual capacity will be ₤27 million or 1 s. 5 d. per gal.  The estimated costs of gasoline from imported crude refined in a Rand refinery of 100 million gal. annual capacity costing ₤11,500,000, including the cost of a pipe line from the coast to the refinery, is 10.5 d. per gal.  Allowing a return of 10% on the total capital investment the selling price amounts to 1 s. 1.25 d. per gal., compared with 1 s. 11.5 d. for synthetic gasoline and 1 s. 10.75 d. for imported gasoline.  Refinery gasoline is therefore 10.25 d. cheaper than synthetic gasoline and 9.5 d. cheaper than imported refined gasoline.