Abstract
PROF. FRANK CLOWES read a paper before the Society of Chemical Industry on May 1 dealing with the past and present of the sulphur impurity in coal-gas. He recalled that the higher temperature carbonisation arising from the displacement of iron by fireclay retorts had resulted in an increased amount of sulphur coming into the gas, not only in the form of hydrogen sulphide, but more noticeably as sulphur compounds of an organic nature. Purification by iron oxide is sufficient to remove sulphuretted hydrogen, but the removal of these organic compounds is much more difficult. “Sulphided lime,” prepared by passing coal-gas containing hydrogen sulphide, but free from carbon dioxide, over freshly slaked lime, was in common use for the purpose, but its action was so uncertain that a Board of Trade Committee which inquired into the subject came to the conclusion that any statutory requirement that the sulphur impurities should be removed to such an extent as to demand the use of lime ought to be discontinued. The detrimental physiological effect and very slight, or non-existent, disinfectant value of the sulphurous products of combustion of coal-gas were, however, plainly indicated by Dr. Haldane, and experimental results were also brought forward which proved that these sulphurous products caused leather to rot and ultimately to crumble, and that some fabrics were similarly affected.
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Purification of Coal-Gas . Nature 97, 250 (1916). https://doi.org/10.1038/097250b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/097250b0