828 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN October 16, 1914 Lovejoy, to apply this principle to the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, and in 1902 they showed that nitric acid* could be produced in unlimited quantity from the air by means of electricity. The process, however, was not a commercial success, mainly owing to the cost of Niagara power and the small size of the plapt,, and it remained for Messrs. Birkeland and Eyde to solve the problem of manufacture of synthetic nitric acid by utilising the waterfalls of Norway, which developed energy at one-third of the cost of Niagara power. Large installations are now engaged in the production of artificial saltpetre in Norway, and the 200,000 electrical horse-power in use day and night for this purpose is understood to be about to be still further increased. In the meantime two German chemists Drs. Frank and Caro, had been experimenting with calcium cyanamide—a substance which was first made in 1857, without any particular commercial result. The above-mentioned chemists discovered that calcium cyanamide was easily made by heating calcium carbide to 900 degs. Cent, in an atmosphere of nitrogen, and with the co-operation of the electrical resources of Siemens & Halske, and the financial aid of the Deutsche Bank, of Berlin, the process was brought to commercial success. The economic value of cyanamide lies in the facility with which it yields ammonia on treatment with steam. Now ammonia, by Ostwald’s process of platinum catalysers, is readily oxidised to nitric peroxide, whence nitric acid is produced. Thus, we have synthetic ammonium nitrate for fertiliser, and for. the manufacture of safety explosives brought into practical competition with ammonium sulphate and Chili saltpetre. Calcium cyanamide can also be used as a fertiliser direct. Its action in, the soil, assisted possibly by bacterial ferments, is possibly somewhat complex, but as. it yields dicyandiamide and also urea, its agricultural value can scarcely be over-estimated, its nitrogen content being about 5 per cent, greater than that of Chili nitrate. Cyanamide has undoubtedly a wider field of utility than the synthetic nitrate made by the Birkeland and Eyde process: There has been a rapid increase in the output of this compound. Factories have been erected in Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, and Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Japan and Canada. Capital to the extent of several millions has been embarked in the industry. The Nitrogen Products and Carbide Company Limited, a British company following upon the North-Western Cyanamide Company Limited, is contemplating large extensions in both Norway and Iceland for the manufacture of calcium cyanamide, which is now being converted to ammonia compounds ; at Vilvorde in Belgium, at Dagenham on the River Thames, and at Trafford Park, Manchester. It is possible that not less than b 000,000 horse power, derived from water powers in Norway and Iceland, will shortly be engaged in this industry, the growth of which can be traced to the foresight of Mr. A. E*. Barton, who in 1906 realised the importance bf the cheap production of calcium carbide by the establishment of the important works at Odda, on the Hardanger Fjord, and at Alby in Sweden, It/ is interesting also to note that the nitrogen necessary for the conversion of carbide to cyanamide is, obtained by the Linde system of fractional distillation of liquid air. Still another process which promises to be com- mercially successful is the production of ammonia from metallic nitrides. Dr. Serpek has been con- spicuously successful in the manufacture of aluminium nitride, which is said to require only one - eighth the electrical energy used in the Birke- land and Eyde process, and only one-half that needed for the production of cyanide. In addition, we may mention the attempts of Dr. Haber and the chemists of the Badische Anilin and Soda Fabrik at the commercial synthesis of ammonia directly by a process said to be independent of cheap power altogether, of the practical application of which, however, little is yet known. The impression that is gained from the remarkable progress in the manufacture of synthetic nitrogen compounds may at first tend to create a feeling of forthcoming over-production and a deleterious influence upon the market for ammonium sulphate. We do not, however, think this view is justified. At the present time there is a considerable shortage in the production of ammonium sulphate. The world’s output in 1912 was only 1,350,000 tons, as compared with 2,542,000 tons of Chili saltpetre. Some of the synthetic processes referred to above are destined to be mainly useful in other directions than the supply of fertiliser. Ammonium salts are needed for many purposes in the arts and manufacturing industries. Every ton of coal carbonised should yield from 20 lb. to 30 lb. of ammonium sulphate, and every ounce of this should be recovered. It is perhaps unfortunate for the by-product value that we utilise so small a proportion of the sulphate produced in this country. While British consumption is only 24 per cent, of the production, Germany uses 84 per cent., of a still larger output; while the United States, France and Belgium consume more than they produce. From the point of view of market competition, by-product sulphate should be able to hold its own against any synthetic products yet manufactured; but the latter are, nevertheless, to be welcomed as a possible salvation from the dangers of world-wide nitrogen starvation as foreshadowed by Prof. Crookes. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 15. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The steam coal trade does not develop strength as sellers wish, although there has been more tonnage available, so the market for large coal exhibits much unevenness, some collieries being well stemmed and in quite a comfortable position while others are hard pressed for clearance and make considerable concession to buyers who can take immediate delivery. Smalls are relatively a better market than large, while other qualities show very little change. The trouble experienced last week-end over the trimming of three of Messrs. Ratcliffe’s boats is being successfully surmounted. At time of writing two of the three steamers have been successfully completed. The pitwood trade is a little easier at 20s. 6d. to 21s. for good wood, but there is little expecta- tion that values will continue for long on so reasonable a basis. The winter season will effectually restrict all supplies from the Baltic or Finland, while the deficiency of labour in France and Ireland is being steadily accentuated. It is no surprise, therefore, to find that one of the chief importing firms, Messrs. Morgan and Cadogan, have pur- chased the extensive larch woods on the North Devon coast at Wooda Bay, which will make pitwood of the very best quality, and can be cut and shipped by coasters, as found desirable. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ..... Secondary do.......... Inferior do........... Screenings............ Through coals ........ Best washed nuts...... Other sorts:— Best house coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... . Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. I prices. 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/ I 16/9-17/ 16/6-16/6 16/ -16/6 15/6-15/9 15/6-16/ | 15/6—16/ ! 15/3-15/6 prices. | prices. 10/0-10/ 1O/O-1O/ I 15/ -15/6 i 15/ -15/6 j 7/ - 7/6 ' 7/ - 7/6 6/- 6/9 5/ - 6/ 7/3- 7/6 11/9-12/ 12/3-13/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ 6/ - 6/9 ; 5/ - 6/ 7/3- 7/6 j 11/9-12/ 12/3-12/6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ 15/ -15/3 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 6/6- 7/ 8/ 11/6-11/9 13/ -13/3 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/ -20/ 20/ -21/ 24/ -25/6 IRON. Business in the local iron and steel trades keeps on the quiet side, and the inclination generally is towards lower figures. Whilst most departments remain moderately well-engaged, new enquiry is slack, more especially for work beyond the end of the year. Bar mills and rail mills are about normally engaged, with current values unaltered In the pig iron trade there is a disappointing lack of new business, and it is galling to see useful steamers arriving from the Spanish ore ports in water ballast only. Tinplates continue very irregular, as there is little new business, and where stocks are excessive sellers are asking easier terms. The erection of the new works for the Mannesmann tube company is not proceeding nearly as rapidly as was expected, but the other new iron works at Maesglaes for Messrs. Whitehead and Co. is being steadily pushed forward. Cardiff. COAL. So far as the market is concerned at the present moment it appears to be simply a question of marking time. Almost the whole output of best Admiralty coals this week has been taken by the Admiralty. There is no question that the large number of men who have joined the forces has seriously lessened outputs, with the result that the supplies of best coal are considerably lower now than they were during the early stages of the war. From all appearances the demand of the Admiralty is likely to continue, although in special circumstances, chiefly for liner business, special permission is granted to ship comparatively speaking small quantities of coal. So far as sales on the open market are concerned, these are practically nil, so that it is extremely difficult to ascertain what is the price of best Admiralty coal. There is reason, however, for stating that some of the best firms during the last ten days or so have had no difficulty in realising 22s. per ton. On the other hand, sales have been made by middlemen at Is. below this quotation. The chief difficulty at the present moment is to gauge what the Admiralty requirements are likely to be, As a matter of fact, instances have taken place where permission has been given to ship, and the consent has been countermanded when a vessel has been half loaded. In other instances, the Admiralty agents have gone to salesmen and definitely told them that all the output would be required for that particular week. In cases like these the position is not so difficult, because it is known that there is no surplus coal for disposal, and that is infinitely better than the un- certainty which exists where the Admiralty requirements have not been definitely stated. Attempts have been made to induce the Admiralty to specify their requirements, but the result has not been successful. They simply reply that they have no information to communicate, and that it all depends upon circumstances. The Egyptian Railway contract for 300,000 metrical tons of coal is likely to be made known within the next week, as tenders had to be delivered in Cairo on the 15th inst. The Chilian contract, extending from one to three years, is not exciting very much interest, as the contractual period is considered too long in the present state of the market. Best Admiralties are on the basis of 21s. to 22s., with seconds at 20s. 6d., and ordinary qualities as low as 17s. 9d. Shipments during the past week were of a more satisfactory character, and although complete returns are not available owing to the information being withheld with regard to Admiralty ship- ments, it is computed that the exports last week amounted to no less than 470,000 tons, or nearly 120,000 tons more than in the preceding week. From Cardiff alone the shipments were over 340,000 tons, or only 30,000 tons below the corresponding period of last year. Newport exported 65,000 tons, Swansea 37,000 tons, and Port Talbot 22,000 tons. In the last three instances there were substantial decreases compared with the corresponding week of 1913. In Monmouthshire coals there has been a tendency to easiness, and the wagon difficulty has materially affected prices in some instances. Best Black Veins are 17s. 6d., western valleys 17s. 3d., and the best of the easterns 16s. 6d.—in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The small coal market is inclined to be somewhat easier, and this is due almost entirely to the fall of Antwerp, whereby an important market has been closed. Best bunkers are 8s. to 8s. 3d., ordinaries 7s. 9d. to 8s., and cargo qualities 6s. 6d. to 7s. In washed coal prices have advanced upwards of Is. per ton. Bituminous coals show little change, except in some of the inferior qualities. No. 3 Rhondda large is still quoted at 17s. 6d. and No. 2 at 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d., with other grades in proportion. The coke market is firm and a slight advance has taken place in foundry qualities. Shipments of patent fuel are still on an extensive scale, but complete figures are not available. The Crown Company last week despatched 19,951 tons. During the month of September there has been a substantial decrease in patent fuel shipments, the falling off in Cardiff being no less than 40,476 tons. At Newport there was a decrease of 6,464 tons, at Swansea a decrease of 38,889 tons, and Port Talbot a falling off of 6,554 tons. Best brands are still quoted at 18s., with second grades 16s. 6d. to 17s. As showing the general falling off in the trade during the past two months it may be stated that the outward clearances from the four principal ports of the Bristol Channel to date amount to Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best Admiralty steam coals 21/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 Superior seconds 20/6 20/6 19/ -19/3 Ordinary do 17/9 . 17/9-18/ 17/6-18/ Best bunker smalls 8/ - 8/3 8/3- 8/6 10/3-10/6 Best ordinaries 7/9- 8/ 8/ 10/ Cargo qualities 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 7/ 7/3- 7/6 Inferior smalls 5/ -6/ 5/ - 5/6 6/6- 7/ 18/ -18/6 Best dry coals 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/ Ordinary drys 18/ -18/9 17/ -17/9 15/6-16/ Best washed nuts 16/ 15/ 16/ -16 6 Seconds 15/ 14/ 15/ Best washed peas 14/6 14/ 14/3-14/6 Seconds 13/6 12/9-13/ 13/ -13/3 11/3-11/9 Dock screenings 9/ 8/6- 9/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 17/6 17/3 16 9-17/ Western-valleys 17/3 16/9 16/ -16/6 Eastern-valleys 16/6 16/3 15/9-16/ Inferior do 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/3 Bituminous coals :— Best house coals (at pit) 20/ 20/ 20/6 Second qualities (at pit) 17/6-19/6 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 17/6 17/6 16'6-17/ Through-and-through 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 14/6-15/ Small 10/6 10/6 12/ -12/3 No. 2 Rhondda— Large 13'6-13/9 14/ 13/ -13/3 Through-and-through 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-10 9 Small 7/ - 7/3 7/6 8/3- 8/6 Best patent fuel 18/ 16 6-17/6 !8/ 22/6 Seconds 16/ -17/ 20/ -21/6 Special foundry coke 27' -30/ 27/ -30/ 28/ -29/ Ordinary do. 22/ -26/ 22/ -25/ 23/ -26/ Furnace coke 19/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -21/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 20/6-21/ 21/6-22/ | 21/3