Low-temperature carbonization of fuel, with special reference to its combination with the production of electricity (American practice)

In this paper consideration is given to the posssibility that the pre-treatment of coal with recovery of by-products may secure and economic advantage in the production of electricity in the United States of America. Reference is made to the trend of opinion in the minds of power station engineers and to the great interest which is maintained in the subject. The economic possibilities are reviewed and stress is laid on the necessity for securing a maximum revenue from the sale of such gas as is produced by the process of pre-treatment, and it is calimed that this result can be obtained only by co-operation with public service companies supplying gas to domestic and industrial concerns. The installation of the McEwen-Runger process at the Lakeside station of Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. is described and an account is given of its development so far as it has been continued in America, the earlier experimental work which originated in England being omitted. Particulars are given of the progress which has been made, together with an indication of the direction which future development will follow.