2? The Philippine J ournal of Science 1922 
It is quite possible to obtain a yield of 85 or 90 per cent, yet 
75 per cent is considered good practice in the Philippine Islands. 
Any improvement in the methods of fermentation and distilla- 
tion of molasses would mean an increase of revenue to the 
Islands and larger profits to the manufacturer. 
Other raw materials for the production of alecohol_—Any 
starch or cellulose material can be converted into alcohol by 
proper treatment; consequently, the raw materials for the pro- 
duction of alcohol, in the Tropics at least, are practically in- 
exhaustible. Bamboo, cassava, the various palms, wood waste 
(sawdust), etc., can all be utilized; however, the nipa sap and 
waste molasses available will more than meet the demand for 
the next few years. 
The yields of alcohol from various sources, given in Table 6, 
are what may be expected in large-scale production. 
TABLE 6.—Approximate yield of alcohol from various sources. 
United States gallons of 
Material. . 95 per cent alcohol per 
ton of 2,000 pounds,* 
Sugar molasses 70 
Sorghum stalks 13.5 
Wheat | 100 
Barley | : 75 
Potatoes 21.5 
Sweet potatoes 37.5 
Cassava 42 
Bananas yr 14 
Sawdust (soft woods) 21.5 
8 One United States gallon equals 3.78 liters. 
Inorganic sources of alcohol—The commercial production of 
alcohol from inorganic materials is a recent achievement. The 
general method involves the hydrogenation of acetylene to form 
ethylene, which is then dissolved in sulphuric acid; this mixture, 
containing ethyl hydrogen sulphate, is diluted and distilled, al- 
cohol being given off. A cheap source of power is necessary 
to make such a process a commercial success. A plant for the 
production of alcohol by this method is now in operation in 
Switzerland. The process is not a feasible one for the Philip- 
pine Islands at present. 
ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL MIXTURES AS FUELS FOR INTERNAL- 
COMBUSTION ENGINES 
Although the application of alcohol as a fuel for internal- | 
combustion engines dates back more than two decades, it is 
only within the last four or five years that the problem has 
