HARDWOOD DISTILLATION 221 



that is, before August, 1914, only about 75,000 long tons were pro- 

 duced. 



Under normal conditions the export and domestic consumption of 

 acetate of lime about equaled 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 heavy demand for the use of acetate of lime as a source 

 of acetone. About 100 lb. of 80 per cent acetate of lime are equivalent 

 to 50 to 60 lb. of refined acetic acid or 20 lb. 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 manu- 

 factures. One of the most important present uses is in the manufacture 

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

 as a solvent for the cutting of gun cotton and in the manufacture of smoke- 

 less powder. 



In many of the European countries, acetic acid or wood vinegar is a 

 common product on the market. However, the manufacture of wood 

 vinegar from acetic acid is prohibited in this country. 



Wood Alcohol. 



It is estimated that between 10,000,000 and 11,000,000 gal. of wood 

 alcohol are produced every year in this country. Its greatest single 

 use is as a solvent. Probably 90 per cent of all the wood alcohol used is 

 for this purpose in one way or another. Its greatest consumption is 

 probably in the paint and varnish industry, in which about 35 to 50 per 

 cent is utilized. 



Practically no wood alcohol is used in the raw 82 per cent state. It is 

 all refined to a higher state of purity before being utilized. One concern 

 refines a good share of the total product of the country. 



Wood alcohol is used very largely in aniline dye factories to make 

 colors, especially greens, purples and light blues. It is also used in the 

 manufacture of formaldehyde, photographic films and in stiffening hats. 



Refined wood alcohol of high purity or methyl alcohol, that is, of 99 

 to 100 per cent purity, is sold under a great variety of trade names, such 

 as Columbian methanol, colonial methyl, diamond methyl, etc. As an 

 extraction agent wood alcohol is used in the manufacture of smokeless 

 powder, nitrocellulose and other explosives. Gun cotton, for example, is 

 freed from cellulose nitrates by extraction with wood alcohol. 



Other common uses are as follows: As fuel, as an illuminant, as a 

 denaturant and in various chemical and medicinal preparations. 



