THE FUTURE BENZOLE OUTLOOK.
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DURING THE WAR the production of benzoic has increased by leaps and bounds and the manner in which this promising state of affairs has been attained is evidenced by a comprehensive report which we have recently been able to peruse through the courtesy of the Ministry of Munitions. It shows the important part played by coke ovens and coke oven by-product plants in providing raw materials for the M. of M. The figures which we are about to quote refer to benzole produced by coke oven plants only. It will come as a surprise to most people to know that there are no fewer than 102 works in the United Kingdom wherein coke oven by-product plants are installed.
The appended figures are instructive, more particularly the increase in the number of .coke ovens under construction, which augurs well for the future increase
The falling off noticeable in 1918 is due to two causes, first the shortage of coal, and second the signing. of the armistice, after which production fell rapidly. The gallonage of crude 65' benzole produced from coke ovens alone is as follows :— The most interesting figures from the user's point of view are those in connection with the increase of by-product ovens. It must be remembered that even under the most favourable circumstances the construction of a battery of ovens and the byproduct recovery apparatus takes from 18 months to two years. The figures are as follow :—
At the time when the armistice was signed there were no fewer than 1,253 further ovens under construction.