BELFAST 



NATURAL HISTORY 

 AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



SESSION 1917-18. 



11th December, 1917. 



" THE FIXATION OF NITROGEN AND ITS APPLICATION 



TO THE INDUSTPJAL DEVELOPMENT OF IRELAND." 



By Professor William Caldwell, M.A., Sc.D., F.I.C. 



(Abstract). 



Dr. Caldwell described, besides other methods, the method 

 of obtaining nitrogen from li(iuid air, and in this connection 

 recalled the work of Dr. Thomas Andrews, formerly Professor 

 of Chemistry in Queen's College, Belfast, and the work of 

 Lord Kelvin and Joule in defining the principles on which the 

 liquefaction of gases is based. 



It was pointed out that we require unlimited quantities of 

 nitrogenous compounds, not alone for use as artificial fertilizers, 

 but for use in the manufacture of explosives. The supplies of 

 the naturally occuriing nitrates are decreasing rapidly, therefore 

 we shall have to adopt some method of fixation of nitrogen to 

 replace the natural supplies. Germany's preparations for war 

 were based on the establishment of huge chemical industries, 

 and the foresight of Germany saved that country from defeat 

 after the blockade of Germany became strict. 



We may likewise build up industries with peaceful objects 

 in view, to replenish our unproductive soil and to intensify our 

 agricultural pursuits. 



