A DixKXxiAi, Kecokd .3.5 



A imiiibcr of demonstration experiments liuve l)een made in 

 cooperation with the Bureau of Mines to sliow tlie value of certain 

 tars and oils, products of both hardwood and softwood distillation, as 

 agents in the flotation process of ore separation. Se\eral of these 

 distillation products have proved themselves m'cII ada])ted for this 

 purpose, and have assumed definite commercial value, instead of being 

 merely waste by-})roducts. 



Certain perculiar pr()])ei-ties of wood turpentine, not possessed by 

 gum turpentine, created a prejudice against it and retarded its sale. 

 The laboratory made a very complete study of wood turpentine, in- 

 cluding methods of analysis, methods of refining, chemical composi- 

 tion, and commercial value, and through this study assisted in obtain- 

 ing proper markets for it. 



To assist in the development of efficient utilization of softwood 

 sawdust and similar waste wood, the laboratory has carried out de- 

 tailed fundamental efficiency studies on the process for obtaining 

 ethyl alcohol from wood. These studies have determined the best 

 operating conditions and the amounts of alcohol which can be obtained 

 from various species of wood. Special research in the fermentaticm 

 of the sugars — one step in the process — has resulted in a decided in- 

 crease in the yields of alcohol commercially produced. 



In this same connection, investigations have been carried out on 

 the fermentation procedures for the fermentation of sugars contained 

 in waste sulphite liquors. This waste is produced in vast quantities 

 in sulphite process pulp plants of the country, and the investigations 

 esta})lished a means of increasing the yields of ethyl (grain) alcohol 

 obtainable from the waste material. 



Basic underlying data on the chemical c()m])osition of wood and 

 on the effect of varying chemical composition on the physical and me- 

 chanical properties have ])een entirely lacking: methods for making 

 the chemical analysis have not even been completely developed. The 

 laboratory has made a fair start on this work, and has made progress 

 in the refinement of methods of analysis. The analysis of several 

 species of Avood has been completed. 



Conclusion 



This, in brief, outlines the major fields of A\oi-k done by the 

 laboratory during the first years of its existen -e. The fo-mativc 



