NITROGEN SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 98, 20 January 1920, Page 7

NITROGEN SUPPLIES

BRITISH EMPIRE'S REQUIREMENTS.

London, January 15. The final report of the Nitrogen Products Coimnittce has been issued. The committee's investigations point to a-de-finite conclusion that it is practicable to make the British Empire independent in regard to external supplies of nitrogen compounds. Canada, with its exceptional water-power, and the accessibility of its seaboard, could produce them much cheaper than any other part of the world. Now Zealand and Tasmania, also offer possibilities of cheap manufacture of synthetic nitrogen products, and also hay.e large deposits of low-grade coal. Australia can furnish a large supply of ammonium sulphate. The committee strongly advises, in the light of the experiences of the war, Unit tho country should not risk depending on Chilian nitrates. From tho military viewpoint it. would probably bo wise to concentrate the major installations in Britain, with supplementary installations throughout tlie Empire, and if necessary to create an Imperial authority to make a careful study of the Empire's requirements.— Aiis.-X.Z. Cable Assn.

[The clement nitrogen froms the greater part of the Atmosphere, and is a constituent of a great number of compounds which aro of the utmost importance in ir.odcrn industry. Until recently tho chief sources of compounds containing nitrogen wo.ro great natural deposits of saltpclro and other salts found in various parts of the world; hut tho extended use of water-power enabled scientists to work out commercial schemes for "burning" tho nitrogen in tho air in electric furnaces by means of specially-designed ores. This method was used largely during the war for tho production of nitric acid, which is of prime importance, in the manufacture of explosives, all of which contain nitrogen.]