FUEL PROCESS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 4

FUEL PROCESS

COMPANY FORMING PLANT NEAR STATE MINE MOTOR SPIRIT AND OIL (By relegrapli.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday To produce smokeless fuel oil gas and electricity by his own process, Mr Charles Turner, a Scottish coal mining engineer, intends to establish a treatment plant on the West Coast. He told a reporter this morning that he had already acquired land at Runanga and that negotiations were under way for the formation of a £70,000 company to start production. It was his intention to operate the plant on a co-operative basis. This plant would treat 50 tons of coal daily to produce 30 tons of smokeless fuel and 2000 gallons of crude oil. The oil could be refined into motor spirit which could be sold at Is 4d a gallon, or heavy Diesel oil at 4d a gallon. Mr Turner has had various discussions with Government officials over his process, and has been negotiating with the Mines Department over the supply of coal, the Minister (the Hon. P. C. Webb) suggesting that the plant should be established near the new Strongman State mine. Mr Turner has spent over £50,000 on two experimental plants, and the British Government undertook successful tests of his system in 1930. The process is now receiving special attention because of war needs.