228 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



Coasts. In this region there is a comparatively plentiful and cheap 

 supply of raw material, such as longleaf, Cuban and shortleaf pines. 

 The process briefly consists of heating the wood in retorts in the absence 

 of air and the condensation of the gaseous products as has been described 

 in connection with the hardwood distillation industry. 



Retorts of cylindrical shape containing from one to four cords are 

 used. They are usually placed in horizontal fashion in rows or batteries 

 over a bricked-up furnace. The fire-box may be arranged to heat either 

 one or two retorts. The wood is charged and drawn from doors at either 



Photograph by U. S. Forest Service. 



FIG. 62. General view of destructive distillation plant of the Pine Products Co., in Georgia. 

 This plant uses longleaf yellow pine. The retorts are loaded with the wood shown in 

 the foreground. In the rear are the stills, settling and storage tanks, etc. 



one or both ends of the retort. Within the past few years, cars loaded 

 with wood and run directly into long ovens, as has been described in the 

 case of the hardwood distillation industry, have been used to a limited 

 extent. 



The distillation process usually requires about twenty-four hours as 

 is true of the hardwoods. The furnace fires are then drawn and the 

 charcoal allowed to cool for twenty-four hours. The gases are condensed 

 through copper condensers and the usual products are, aside from char- 



