COAL ECONOMY. 
products of low-temperature carbonization, being chiefly paraffins and olefins, 
were of less commercial value than those of a high-temperature distillation, 
which yield oils of an aromatic or benzenoid character. As the yield of gas 
is low, the coke is of less value for metallurgical purposes, and the existing 
demands for low-temperature carbonization processes were not great. The 
writer concluded that if an entirely new demand for the oils produced by 
such a process were to arise, such as would follow a decision to supply the 
Naval and Aircraft Services with fuel oils solely produced in Great Britain, 
or in the event of special legislation relative to the conservation of coal or the 
abolition of smoke, the prospects of low-temperature carbonization might 
be entirely changed. 
In the last two years, however, with the world-wide scarcity of fuel 
oils, great progress has been made in the yields of oils obtainable by 
modern methods of carbonization. Thus in a recent number of Power 
(18th May, 1920), it is asserted that the low-temperature carbonization 
processes have now been experimented with for years, and that it has now 
been definitely-determined that from 20 to 30 gallons of tar, about 12 Ibs. 
of ammonium sulphate, and about 75 per cent. of coke can be obtained from 
a ton of bituminous coal. It is also stated that the tar is such that it is 
possible to obtain from 15 to 20 gallons of motor fuel per ton of coal. These 
by-products would have a value of from 10s. to 15s. per ton of coal. By 
gasifying the coke, from 50 to 85 lbs. of ammonium sulphate per ton will be 
obtained, in addition to 65 to 70 cubic feet of gas. The writer concludes 
that by combining the two processes—carbonization and gasification—by- 
products having a value of from £1 to £2 5s. per ton of coal can be 
obtained. 
Though encouraging results have been obtained by certain investigators 
working out new processes, generally on a laboratory scale, it appears certain 
that there is still a vast field open for research, and especially for large-scale 
experiments. With the advent of many highly-trained scientific men into 
the field, together with the much greater interest many business men are 
now taking in the researches, there is good reason to believe that progress 
of the greatest importance will be made in the near future. Since the solu- 
tion of the problem depends not only on the nature of the coals and the par- 
ticular processes suitable for their treatment, but also on economic condi- 
tions, it is highly important that Australia should participate in the investiga- 
tions which are being carried out in other countries. i 
For example, the British Fuel Research Board is now carrying out very 
extensive investigations into low-temperature distillation, and for that pur- 
pose has established a large scale Research Station. In taking this action, 
the Board was greatly influenced by two leading considerations; the first 
of these was the possibility of developing an important domestic source of fuel 
oil for the Navy, while the second was the need for a smokeless solid fuel for 
industrial and domestic purposes. When considering new and extensive 
schemes of carbonization, it is necessary to bear in mind that outlets for all 
the products of carbonization must be found. The gas and coke industries 
are both of old standing, and each has had to develop outlets for its products 
by patient and continuous effort. No new carbonization scheme can be 
justified economically if it can only live by poaching on the preserves of 
existing industries. ; 
0.15388—4. 45 
