32 The Philippine Journal of Science 1922 
The first method ** consists of superheating the alcohol vapor 
to the right temperature, then passing it through a chamber 
containing lead balls over which sulphuric acid is allowed to 
drop slowly. Transformation to ether occurs instantaneously, 
the alcohol being in contact with the sulphuric acid only moment- 
arily. The ether vapor is then passed through a washer con- 
taining caustic soda and then to a rectifying column to separate 
it from water and alcohol. About 3 pounds of acid and 14 
pounds of soda are required for every 100 pounds (13.9 gallons) 
of ether made. This process is being used successfully in the 
Natalite factory at Merebank, Natal. 
The second method is a catalytic process and eliminates the 
use of sulphuric acid and caustic soda. The alcohol is passed 
through a superheater and then over alumina. acting as a 
catalyst. The temperature of the vapor and catalyst must be 
kept constant at about 200° C. If the temperature rises above 
200°, ethylene is formed. By passing the outgoing vapors 
through tubular heat exchangers to heat the incoming alcohol, 
a small superheater is the only necessary heating apparatus; the 
amount of heat necessary for the conversion is less than 10 per 
cent of that required in the lead-still process. 
The estimated daily operating cost is given by Krenz as 
follows: 
Estimated daily operating cost of alcohol motor fuel plant producing 
1,000 gallons per day. 
Dollars. 
19.34 tons average cane molasses 000.00 
No. 34 66 Be. sulphuric acid, 2.5¢ per Ib. 85 
No. 14 caustic soda, 5.4¢ per pound -76 
21 gals. benzene, 50.0c per gal. 10.50 
103 gals. pyridine, $1.86 per gal. 19.53 
40,000 gals. water, diluting, condensing, etc., pumping 
cost of 10c per 1,000 gals. 4.00 
63 bbls. fuel oil, $7.28 per bbl. 47.32 
LABOR: 
1 fermenting room man and foreman, 
day shift 5.00 
2 distillers, night and day shifts, 3.00 6.00 
1 denaturer, day shift 3.00 
1 ether man, day shift 3.00 
2 firemen, day and night shifts, 3.00 6.00 
1 laborer _ 2.50 25.50 
* Annaratone Process, French patent 408,089. 
“Oscar Krenz Copper & Brass Works Inc., loc. cit. 
