FIXATION OF NITROGEN. 
readily at 1,000 atmospheres as others do at one-quarter of that pres- 
sure, and the condensation in the circulating mass is effected by ordinary 
eooling water at ordinary pressures. Also, the condensation of the 
ammonia in the Claude process is effected in a liquefied non-gaseous 
condition, which provides a valuable source of refrigeration for the 
succeeding process of the fixation of the ammonia in the form suitable 
for agricultural use. 
In the Haber process, the evaporation of the ammonia to a gaseous 
form was an additional expense, which is unnecessary in the Olaude 
process, as the ammonia, being in a liquid form, passes readily to the 
gaseous state without distillation. 
One of the best testimonials to the credit of the French improved 
process is afforded by the fact that the working capital required for’ 
the Chemical Manufacturing, of La Grande Paroisse, incorporated to 
work the patents in France and her Colonies, has been subscribed by 
the St. Gobain Company, one of the most powerful and strictly con- 
servative undertakings in France. Cs, 
The Cumberland Coal Power and Chemical Limited’ have secured 
from the French owners the “Claude” process for the production of 
synthetic ammonia, and have the sole and exclusive rights for Great 
Britain and Ireland, South Africa, the Commonwealth of Australia, New 
Zealand, and India. 
As the British Government did not continue with the subject after 
the signing of the armistice, the large works erected at Billingham were 
not put into operation; and, in November, 1919, the Secretary of the 
Ministry of Munitions announced that the Government had decided to 
leave further development to private enterprise, and that the Minister 
was prepared to receive offers for the acquisition of the partly con- 
structed factory from persons or firms in a position to develop success- 
fully the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. 
As soon as the full-size commercial unit of the Claude process is in 
operation in France an English Company, to be known as the “ Atmos- 
phere Nitrogen and Ammonia Products Limited,” will be formed with 
a. capital of £2,500,000, and it is proposed that this new company Shall 
acquire from the shareholders the whole of the share capital of Cum- 
berland Coal Power and Chemicals Limited, and erect a synthetic 
ammonia plant, &., on freehold land adjoining the Allendale coke oven 
plant of the Cumberland Company. 
The ammonia will be used to manufacture ammonium sulphate, and 
the plant installed will be capable of producing 50,000 tons of sulphate 
per annum. A small plant will be erected for the production of 
chloride of ammonium, which will be introduced and popularized as a 
’ fertilizer, with the ultimate idea of making chloride instead of sulphate, 
as hydrochloric acid is cheaper than.sulphuric. It is hoped-to provide 
for all the British requirements of nitrogenous manures, and enable the 
farmer to fertilize intensively and to scientifically cultivate additional 
land. It is also contended that the successful carrying out of the 
scheme to its full extent will make England independent of the impor- 
tation of Chilian nitrates, as the whole of the nitric acid, nitrate of 
ammonia, cyanides, and various ammonia compounds will be produced 
in the country at a low cost. 
435 
