THE PROVIDENT USE OF COAL 321 



that the use of gas will be largely extended in the near future ; 

 but if gas is to be more used it is essential that the quality be 

 improved. Since the sulphur clauses in the Gas Acts were 

 repealed, there has been a steady deterioration in the quality of 

 gas and the damage done to furniture in consequence is now 

 most serious. If the gas industry desire to retain its position 

 within doors in competition with electricity, some action must 

 be taken to supply a product free from the objections to which 

 our present supply is subject. 



Whilst low-temperature coal tar will yield a far larger supply 

 of phenolic compounds suitable for use as disinfectants, it 

 cannot well serve as a source of benzene and toluene, as these 

 latter are mixed with so large a proportion of other hydrocarbons 

 that it will not be possible to separate them economically. 



Distinct uses must be found for the hydrocarbons in the 

 lighter distillates. It will be possible, I believe, to make any 

 class of solvent hydrocarbon that is desired from them without 

 difficulty. 



They should be valuable for cleaning purposes — far more so 

 than ordinary petroleum spirit or petrol ; as rubber solvents ; 

 and as substitutes for turpentine, the demand for which is now 

 in excess of the supply. Much of the oil is also suitable for 

 use in the internal combustion engine. It has been shown 

 recently that the sterilisation of soil by means of toluene and 

 similar substances has a most remarkable effect in increasing its 

 fertility : should it prove practicable to sterilise the soil as a 

 part of the ordinary farm practice, it is more than probable that 

 a suitable agent will be found in the lower distillates from the 

 Coalite tar. 



My object in this brief communication is to direct attention 

 to a provident use of coal which I believe deserves the most 

 serious consideration by the public at large. I see no reason 

 why the coal now used in the raw state by a community should 

 not be first coked at a low temperature : the gas given off 

 would be available as an illuminant and for heating purposes ; 

 the residual coke would be burnt with far greater efficiency 

 than the original coal and without producing smoke. If washed 

 coal were used, the sulphur would be largely eliminated and 

 a still further improvement effected. A variety of by-products 

 would also be obtained the sale of which should afford some 

 if not considerable profit. 



