3227.     SMOLEY, E. R., TORREY, R. M., AND KNIEL, L.  Chemicals From Petroleum.  Petrol. Refiner, vol. 26, No. 11, 1947, p. 768-772; World Petrol., vol. 18, No. 12, 1947, pp. 78-81; Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 1043.

        Production of synthetic chemicals from petroleum has expanded from an output of 150,000 lb. in 1925 to almost 4 billion lb. in 1946.  The trend still is upwards with addition of several new chemicals.  The Fischer-Tropsch process also is adding many chemicals to the list, as is evidenced by the expected production from the 2 plants under construction for processing natural gas.  The estimated production of chemicals from one Hydrocol plant alone amounts to 152,450,000 lb. per yr.  The manufacture of C₂H₄ from petroleum and natural gas constituents is discussed at length, and a list of plants with approximate production is given.