Synthetic Fuels from Coal and Shale

Abstract

IN THIS issue we present, in considerable detail, the interim report of the National Petroleum Council's Subcommittee on Synthetic Liquid Fuels Production Costs, issued on July 29 and the Annual Report (1951) of the Secretary of the Interior on Synthetic Liquid Fuels, released on July 31. Producing synthetic liquid fuels by coal hydrogenation as proposed by the United States Bureau of Mines is a highly controversial subject—not the technology but the economics involved if private enterprise is expected to finance, build, and operate such plants and to market profitably the fuels and chemicals produced. We prefer to let each reader evaluate for himself the figures presented by the NPC and the USBM. Secretary of the Interior, Oscar L. Chapman, admits that something in the way of government incentives to private industry appears to be required at this time but adds Sooner or later our nation will rely in part on synthetic liquid ...