3237.     ---------------.  [SPAGHT, M. E.]  Future Research in Hydrocarbons.  Chem. and Ind., 1947, pp. 241-242.

        Abridgement of a paper presented before the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry.  It is believed that the cheapest way of producing liquid hydrocarbons from coal will be via a water gas reaction and subsequent synthesis by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.  Direct hydrogenation of solids is not yet to be counted out of competition but, at this time, the Fischer-Tropsch route is the brightest hope for the conversion of coal.  Recovery of oil from shale represents another possibility, but, at the moment, it is farther from commercial reality then those utilizing either CH₄ or coal.