OIL FROM COAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19121, 16 September 1936, Page 14

OIL FROM COAL

“NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS”

EXPERT ENTHUSIASTIC

LONDON, Sept. 1. “Australia undoubtedly possesses admirable raw materials for 'both the hydrogenation and Fischer oil-from-coal processes, and no serious technical difficulties need be anticipated in producing petrol from black or from brown coal, 55 declared Sir David Rivett, of the Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, tc-day.

After spending a fortnight in Germany, Sir David Riven has returned enthusiastic at the development of oil-from-coal processes. He emphasises their significance to Australia.

Sir David Rivett inspected a plant at Oberhausen operating the Fischer process, in which the basic materials are coke or coal and steam. The process, he says, is relatively simple, and is being exploited at a rapidly increasing rate in areas where coke oi brown co il is readily available.

He also inspected plants at Ludwig?hafen and Leuna operating the hydrogenation process. The output at Leune at present is 300,000 tons yearly. The hydrogenation and Fischer processes are in certain respects complementary. “Each is attractive from the Australian standpoint, 55 Sir David Rivett declared. “Germans are willing 'o supply information, and are very interested in proposals for the adoption of the processes in Australia, either independently or in association with certain British firms. Close estimates of capital an! running costs have ).e r ; prepared, and will be submitted to the Commonwealth Government. 55 Sir David Rivett disclosed that an inquiry had been begun by an officer of the Imperial .Economic Committee in order to determine the precise extent to which vegetable fibres are replacing woki! on the British market.

“Indications at present arc that wool is not vet. seriously threatened, apart from hosiery and certain lines of underwear 55 he added. “I am hoping the new inquiries will supply moro_ valuable guidance. 5 5