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The OH then of the Caustic replaces the S O, H of the Sodium Benzene Sulphonate, and upon decomposing the Sodium Phenolate that results from the fusion, the Phenol is liberated.

Its formula is C, H, OH and it is of a weak acid nature. The process is in reality a very simple chemical procedure. Each reaction is clean-cut and definite. There is very little opportunity of "getting by" on anything.

In suphonation, the disulphonate is easily avoidable; in the other reactions only one result can possibly happen.

The process then rests largely on Engineering to make it a commercial and practical success, and the opportunities are numerous for the display of ingenuity to effect the mechanical processes in the best and most practical manner.

The Chemistry is fixed and definite, the apparatus and procedure open to a multiplicity of ways, and the success of the proposition in a financial way rests entirely with the Engineer who designs and plans the plant.

RAW MATERIALS.

The raw materials for the production of Synthetic Phenol are concentrated Sulphuric Acid, Benzol, Caustic Soda, Soda Ash, and Lime. A part of the Concentrated Acid may be replaced by weak Chamber Acid.

In round figures you can estimate these materials as follows: tons of Sulphuric Acid 98%

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A sufficient amount of Calcium Carbonate is produced in the process, as a by-product, to cut down the Lime required to about one-half the above amount.

No other by-products are recovered, or are worth recovering. They consist of Calcium Sulphate cake, (Gypsum) about 3 tons, Sodium Sulfite and Sodium Sulfate mixed and in solution about 3 tons, Carbonic Acid, and S O2.

The amount of Crystalline and pure Phenol from the above materials is a little over 1 ton.

An 85% yield on the weight of Benzol used is readily obtainable. Higher or lower yields depend upon the purity of the Benzol, and the methods employed in the various reactions and

mechanical operations.

Undue effort is not usually made for high yields, but rather to quantity of output.

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. BENZOL.

Benzol is the fundamental necessity of not only Phenol and Picric Acid, but of Aniline Oil and the general color industry as well.

Before the war, our Benzol production in the United States was comparatively small, and millions of dollars worth of this product, and its allied coal-tar derivatives, went up in smoke and vapors, and were lost to the entire world.

Probably no branch of the new chemical industries has responded so valiantly to the wants of the American people as have some of the large steel, coke and similar industries within the past few months on Benzol.

No more bee-hive coke ovens will ever be built. Retort ovens produce more and better coke, and save the vapors.

Gas scrubbers now recover the Benzol and its related products from the gas, before it leaves the producing plants.

Single plants have sprung up in the past few months producing 2,000, 3,000, 5,000 and 7,000 gallons of Benzol per day, that produced none whatever before the war.

Benzol selling at 70 cents per gallon in November, could be produced at 6 cents per gallon under some of the modern methods, and was actually being made at those figures in some places.

Benzol producers even today are figuring and planning on diverting this product to automobile use, in place of Gasoline, as soon as the war is over, and they will be well able to do so, and easily compete with it.

At present the demand is great, but the supply will soon be enormous. No contracts should be made, but depend on the open market, and while the sale of Benzol now is largely in the hands of one prominent firm, they realize that American industries must be properly taken care of, and they have tried to do this from the very start. While the profits in Benzol are large right now, these are bound soon to assume more reasonable figures.

Under a proper understanding then of the Benzol situation, no fear need be felt as to obtaining the necessary amount for use in making Phenol.

SULPHURIC ACID.

The price of concentrated Sulphuric Acid has been quite high. A large amount of it is being exported, but American producers have now begun to realize that by taking care of home industries they are building up a future profitable business connection, whereas the war requirements are liable to leave them without business at any time.

Numerous concentrating plants have recently been put in, and many new acid plants have been started. The raw materials for Sulphuric Acid are readily obtainable in any amount, and the investment for manufacturing it is not large. It is an enormous industry and one that must scatter itself to all parts of the country and not centralize at any one point, on account of transportation expenses.

For these reasons, it is now possible to obtain the necessary acid and without any contracts whatever. A contract can be of little benefit to the buyer on an easier market and with falling prices. I am prepared to negotiate your acid supply if you cannot do so yourself, or will furnish you a list of all the acid manufacturers in the United States with whom you can correspond direct. These numerous inquiries, however, that result in no business, do not tend to make the acid man very solicitous as to your wants, when he can sell all that he produces, abroad without discussion. So long as this condition remains, it might be well for the Engineer to do the negotiating for you.

The price of acid will be the market price, which will vary from time to time and when it drops you can obtain the benefit. So long as others pay the same, you are being treated fair.

All new enterprises will pay a higher price under a contract, than they will on the open market. Their only gain is certainty of scheduled shipments.

The only ones benefited under acid contracts are established chemical houses who have been customers of long standing, and with definite wants at all times. These people have been able to increase their contracts frequently under very favorable terms.

No undue concern should be felt now as to the Sulphuric Acid requirements for the manufacture of Synthetic Phenol. Sulphuric Acid of any strength above 92% can be used, but

SHEET STEEL SEPARATION TANK.

Stands 14 ft. high, 51⁄2 ft. in diameter, with agitator, gauge glasses, air and steam coils, open or closed top, weight 4,000 lbs., can be built for $250.00.

8 sheets of detail drawings with names and bids of various manufacturers. Price, $100.00.

a much larger amount of it is necessary than to use 98%. Oleum or Fuming Sulphuric Acid is not necessary in the sulphonation and is only used to strengthen weaker Sulphuric Acid before it is added to the Benzol.

CAUSTIC SODA.

Because of the apparent scarcity of Caustic Soda, in November and December a letter was sent to every Caustic Soda dealer and manufacturer in the United States, enquiring as to prices, and the outlook for Caustic for such Phenol plants as might be interested in purchasing it in the early months to come.

Assurance was given by the most of these people that all home wants would be supplied.

A very large export business is at present being done in Caustic Soda, but when the price is as high as it now is, it is a comparatively easy matter to start a Caustic plant anywhere and produce, at little outlay, a grade of Caustic that is salable and profitable as well. The raw materials are not high, and while the tendency of all these replies was toward holding the price as high as possible, the letters as a whole showed a weakness in the high demands, and a falling price is sure to follow in the early future.

No contracts should be made on Caustic, but purchase in the open market and be free when the price really begins to decline.

CHAMBER ACID.

Chamber Acid, to use in place of concentrated in a portion of the process, is readily obtainable and at a low price. The ordinary agricultural acid is sufficiently good for the purpose, and the requirements are more than covered in the total estimate for the concentrated.