2577.     PARRY, V. F., GERNES, A. C., WAGNER, E. O., GOODMAN, J. B., AND KOTH, A. W.  Gasification of Lignite and Subbituminous Coal, Progress Report, 1945-46, Bureau of Mines Rept. of Investigations 4128, 1947, 68 pp.

        Details of the design, construction and operation of 2 pilot plants for gasifying low-rank fuels.  The work was part of a program to make reducing gases from lignite for beneficiation of low-grade Fe ores.  The results of the work proved that the composition of water gases derived from low-rank fuels could be varied over a wide range.  By changing the concentration of steam and the temperature around the retort, water gases having H₂:CO ratios of 2.15:5.43 were obtained in the larger plant and ratios of 10.0 in the smaller.  The indicated overall efficiency of gasification was 72%, when it is assumed that producer gas and steam for the process can be generated at efficiencies of 80-85%, respectively.