The Hardwood Distillation Industry in Neiv York 61 



and the charcoal M^hich remains as a residue from the distilla- 

 tion of the wood. The secondary products as a result of the 

 separation of the tar from the pyroligneous acid and the 

 further distillation of the pyroligneous acid, are tirst, wood 

 tar, second, acetate of lime and third, wood alcohol. 



The utilization of the five derived products of this 

 industry, therefore, are described in the following order: 

 acetate of lime, wood alcohol, charcoal, wood tar and wood 

 gas. 



Acetate of Lime. 



During the year 1916, it is estimated that in New York 

 State there will be produced 38,396,835 pounds of acetate 

 of lime. This is based upon the annual consumption in 

 New York State of 192,330 cords with an average yield of 

 199.47 pounds of acetate of lime per cord. At a valuation 

 of seven cents per pound this material is worth $2,685,788. 



It is estimated that approximately 100,000 long tons of 

 acetate of lime are produced every year in this country. 

 Under normal conditions, that is, before August, 1914, only 

 about 75,000 long tons were produced. 



Under normal conditions the export and domestic con- 

 sumption of acetate of lime about equalled each other. Now 

 this product is chiefly consumed in this country. 



Probably 75 per cent of the acetate of lime produced in 

 this country is used as the raw material for the acetic acid 

 industry. More recently there has been a tremendous de- 

 mand for the use of acetate of lime as a source of acetone. 

 About 100 pounds of 80' per cent acetate of lime are equiva- 

 lent to 50 to 60 pounds of refined acetic acid or 20 pounds 

 of acetone. Acetic acid is used chiefly for the manufacture 

 of white lead, acetone in the textile and leather industries 

 and in a great variety of other commercial manufactures. 

 One of the most important present uses is in the manufacture 

 of cordite and lyddite, two high explosives. Acetone is also 



