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T H E JOURNAL OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY THE CANADIAN CHEMICAL JOURNAL
As indicative of t h e highly stimulated condition of t h e Canadian chemical industries incident t o t h e war period, we have received t h e initial number of The Canadian Chemical Journal, published a t Toronto, Canada, under the same management which founded
The Canadian Engineer, The Canadian Textile Journal, The Pulp and Paper Magazine, The Canadian Woodworker a n d other technical publications. T h e new journal, t o be issued monthly, is “devoted t o t h e chemical a n d metallurgical interests of Canada.” T h e present issue contains interesting articles on Canadian water powers, t h e nickel industry of the Sudbury region, potash f r o m Canadian feldspar, chemistry in Canadian woods, etc., a n d many up-to-date industrial notes. Confidence in t h e future of the Canadian industry is shown in t h e following excerpt from one of t h e leading articles: “Of course t h e present abnormally high prices of almost all kinds of chemicals make this a n attractive field of investment, b u t i t may fairly be
I
Vol. 9, No. 6
assumed t h a t t h e natural resources of Canada are such t h a t t h e Canadian chemical industries will s t a n d t h e readjustment OE peace conditions and t h a t in m a n y of t h e more important branches they will become permanent. This assumption is based mainly on three factors: First, t h e enormous water powers of Canada, as yet undeveloped, which are becoming more a n d more t h e deciding element in t h e cheap production of many chemicals-such, for example, as atmospheric nitrogen; second, t h e mineral deposits of Canada whose extent and variety are as yet scarcely comprehended b y our own people; a n d third, t h e intelligence and energy of t h e younger generation of Canadian students, who will naturally t u r n their talents t o the possibilities opened u p under t h e new conditions.” We desire t o extend best wishes t o t h e new j o u r n a a n d t o predict for i t a career of marked usefulness in t h e industrial chemical life of our neighbors across t h e almost imperceptible northern border-line.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN CANADA
I
Address delivered b y H. E. HOWEa t t h e 54th Meeting of t h e American Chemical Society, Kansas City, April 1 2 . 1917
T h e force with which t h e importance of chemical industry has been brought home t o t h e world since August 1914 has led t o a stock-taking in various countries, a n d a review of t h e situation a t present, followed b y prophecies for t h e future. T h e extent t o which our complex civilization depends upon chemical products a n d chemical processes is greater now t h a n a t a n y time in t h e world’s history, a n d t h e accomplishments of chemical industry are in many cases so like magic t h a t t h e popular press seizes upon t h e spectacular items a n d frequently overlooks extensive developments in localities which t o t h e ordinary mind seem t o lie outside t h e chemically active countries. We have h a d German chemists, German research a n d German efficiency t h r u s t upon us until one can scarcely mention t h e subject of chemistry without seeming t o hear “Die Wacht a m Rhein” or “Deutschland uber Alles.” B u t Switzerland before t h e war was producing more dyestuffs per capita t h a n was Germany, notwithstanding t h e fact t h a t she h a d t o import her raw materials, including coal itself. The world can learn much about advertising from Germany. Since t h e war we have heard more of chemical industries in other countries, a n d steps have been taken t o organize thoroughly a n d bring into a state of cooperation t h e many successful chemical laboratories, institutions, a n d individual chemists so as t o place t h e British Empire and t h e United States upon a firm chemical foundation. The work confronting chemical industry a n d chemical engineers in t h e production of enormous quantities of munitions is almost beyond our imagination. It may be measured in a way b y t h e munitions production record of England. At t h e beginning of 1917 t h e production of high explosives was sixty-two times what it was in 191j. British munition factories are now making more heavy gun ammunition every 24 hours t h a n they
manufactured during t h e entire first year of t h e war. The monthly o u t p u t of heavy guns is more t h a n six times what i t was during t h e year 1915. T h e o u t p u t of bombs increased thirty-threefold during t h e single year M a y 191j t o M a y 1916. Fourteen times t h e quantity of machine guns made during t h e period of August 1 9 1 4 t o August 1915 were made during t h e year 1915 t o August 1916. T h e daily output of t h e twelve national projectile factories, which have as yet n o t developed their total capacity, would fill a train one mile long requiring eight engines t o pull it. Where production is speeded u p t o this extent there are sufficient chemical a n d chemical engineering problems t o t a x t h e resources of a nation, not t o mention t h e important work which England is doing on dyes, optical glass, refractory materials, porcelain, metallurgy, etc. I n France t h e organization is such t h a t t h e chemical plants make only what is required for war a n d of a quantity a n d quality according t o t h e specifications of t h e military departments. You are so well acquainted with t h e active steps taken in A4mericasince 1914 t h a t i t is unnecessary for me t o emphasize t h e importance of t h e work accomplished or under way, b u t in considering t h e position of t h e North American Continent, what attention has been paid t o t h e achievements and potentialities of Canada, our neighbor t o t h e north? Let me tell you something of what is being done there a n d suggest t h e possibilities in a brief account of t h e natural resources. C H E M I C A L PRODUCTIOI’;
I n one locality, destined t o become a n electrochemical center of some magnitude, there will ultimately be available approximately joo,ooo z4-hour horse power. Here acetone is being made b y a new process a n d t h e production of metallic magnesium in quantity is going forward, t h e metal being supplied in
J u n e , 1917
T H E J O C R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
bars a n d also in t h e 1-ariety of powders so necessary on t h e battlefields to-day for s t a r shells. Aluminum, a n d carbon electrodes are also made, a n d other chemical products are now under serious consideration as additions t o t h e chemical chain which has been started. Explosives are, of course, being produced on a large scale a n d t h e y are of high grade. Trinitrotoluol is produced a t one plant by a process involving crystallization from a medium which results in crystals of great uniformity a n d unusual purity. Heavy chemicals are produced in sufficient quantities, t h e plants being located principally in t h e Province of Ontario. Sufficient potassium chlorate t o meet t h e requirements. together with a considerable supply of phosphorus are produced, utilizing hydroelectric power. There is the usual by-product recovery from coking plants, including ammonia in its various forms. The electric furnace a n d electrolytic industries are established in Canada, producing bleach, caustic, cyanamide, abrasives a n d carbides. Ferro-molybdenum is manufactured in t h e electric furnace, a n d in many localities t h e electric furnace has been brought into play in t h e production of steels. Steps have been taken, a n d a large plant is now under construction, for t h e electrolytic refining of nickel m a t t e produced in Ontario, where we find nickel deposits valued a t $ joo,ooo,ooo, a n d supplying over two-thirds t h e world’s requirements for nickel PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND DYES
I n pharmaceutical chemistry a large number of t h e finer preparations are manufactured in Canada. Phenacetin has been produced since t h e war started, as has also acetyl salicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin. There is one plant with a capacity of over a t o n a d a y making acetyl salicylic acid, which is possibly d u e t o t h e fact t h a t the patent situation is not in t h e same condition as in t h e United States. Para-amidophenol, so essential in fur dyeing, is being produced. Bismuth salts, iodine preparations, resublimed iodine, iodides a n d iodoform, are being made in quantities sufficient for domestic use as well as for export. Hydrogen peroxide b y t h e barium process is manufactured in quantity, a n d many sodium a n d potassium salts are purified a n d recrystallized. Alkaloids are prepared, a n d salvarsan of a grade equal t o t h e best German product is now being prepared commercially. Aniline, phenol a n d salicylic acid may be added t o the list. A few dyes are now being made in C a n a d a , b u t t h e economic conditions are such as t o make it improbable t h a t a n y extension of t h e work can be carried out. WOOD PRODUCTS
Hardwood distillation was carried on in Canada previous t o t h e war, b u t since its beginning new articles have been prepared a n d refinement of crude materials carried t o a greater extent. T h e very important pulp industry must be mentioned in passing. At t h e present rate of expansion a n d development Canada bids fair t o lead in t h e world’s production of pulp in the very near future, if she does not do so already.
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O R G A N I Z A T I O N S FOB R E S E A R C H
SO much for t h e material accomplishments which show t h a t considerable is being done. The future would seem t o offer much. An Advisory Council on Scientific a n d Industrial Research has been appointed by t h e Government, a n d this Council is about t o make a complete inventory of t h e research men a n d their facilities throughout t h e Dominion, of t h e problems which have been solved, of those upon which work is now being done a n d of those which merit immediate attention. Immediate steps are being taken t o assist researchers in t h e completion of their education a n d t o provide studentships, scholarships a n d fellowships t o encourage t h e prosecution of scientific research a t t h e educational institutions. T h e Council, modeled after the Commission in Great Britain, will be generally concerned with research work in Canada a n d will consider many problems of national importance. The Forest Products Laboratory is carrying on work similar t o t h a t of t h e Forest Products Laboratory of t h e United States a n d has under way work on other problems which are peculiar t o Canadian conditions. The chemists of industrial laboratories are carefully studying t h e problems pertaining t o their particular industry a n d are endeavoring t o plan their work t o meet conditions after t h e war as well as a t t h e present time. Under the auspices of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Arthur D. Little, Limited, are not only conducting research upon problems, t h e solution of which would mean much for the Dominion a t large, b u t are also conducting a survey of t h e natural resources in order t h a t d a t a regarding t h e m may be made quickly available for practical application a n d for those interested in industrial development work. So far as I a m aware t h e plan of t h e Canadian Pacific Railway, as p u t into operation b y Lord Shaughnessy, t h e President a n d Chairman, is without precedent a n d indicates, on the part of a public service corporation, a fundamental interest in t h e country a t large, which is not ordinarily ascribed t o such an organization. P L A X T UTILIZATION A F T E R T H E WAR
T h e question of utilizing plants, which have been erected primarily for war purposes, when peace comes, is receiving t h e attention of managers a n d engineers. Some of t h e m strongly advocate the production of nitrates from t h e air, especially in those locations where plants own their own hydroelectric development works. CANADIAN R E S O U R C E S
Let us resources basis for engineers
now consider for a moment some of the of Canada, which may conceivably form t h e industries in which chemists a n d chemical will find their tasks awaiting them. A G R I C ~ ~ L T U R E - ~ ~ is ~ ~ t~ h eC Ugreatest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ natural resource of Canada, a n d while many chemists do not think of agriculture as a natural resource in which they can be interested, it is well known t h a t the products of agriculture frequently claim the chemist’s attention. When it is recalled t h a t most of Canada’s arable
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T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
land lies a t a great distance from t h e present centers of population, i t is evident t h a t many problems will present themselves relative t o preparing t h e produce from mixed farming, in order t h a t i t may reach t h e markets in a condition t o command a good price. Methods for drying t o avoid high freight costs enter in, as well as t h e establishment of suitable plants in t h e vicinity of growth t o work upon products of agriculture as raw materials. The large corporation farms of t h e prairies may quite conceivably come t o utilize t h e services which a chemist can render in many departments, from t h e proper treatment of seed grain a n d t h e maintenance of soil fertility a n d proper rations for stock, t o t h e utilization of t h e products themselves. The products of agriculture raised in 1913, which is taken as a year not influenced b y war prices, were worth nearly $700,000,000. The production of t h e Prairie Provinces has increased nearly 600 per cent in t h e last t e n years. FORESTS-The forests of Canada, while not as extensive as is generally supposed, already form t h e basis of a great chemical industry in t h e manufacture of pulp a n d paper. For t h e year 1916, nearly $22,000,000 worth of paper was exported, of which 88 per cent came t o t h e United States. T h e industry is growing at a n enormous rate, t h e daily production of sulfite pulp approaching I joo tons daily a n d t h a t of paper exceeding 2 0 0 0 tons daily. There is considerable activity in hardwood distillation, a n d t h e Forest Products Laboratory is now carrying on softwood distillation experiments hoping t o produce oils suitable for use in t h e oil flotation processes. The west contains some wonderful primitive forests, t h e Island of Vancouver being a notable example. Here Douglas fir 8 feet in diameter a n d 300 feet high are t o be found, 7 0 trees t o t h e acre, setting with shallow roots on beds of clay in which glacial boulders are scattered. Timber has been so plentiful there t h a t naturally its values were not appreciated a few years ago, for, in 1876, a lumbering concern refused t o pay $12,joo for 30,000 acres of timber which is still standing a n d which is now estimated t o cut approximately $300,000,000 worth of timber. There is one timber limit in British Columbia of 7 2 , 0 0 0 acres of spruce averaging 18 inches in diameter from which about 4,000,000,000 board feet of lumber may be cut, not t o mention t h e pulpwood available. Reforestation is already receiving careful attention, although t h e foresters are somewhat divided as t o t h e proper methods. Some believe in planting trees, while others contend t h a t if nature be properly assisted a n d t h e young seedlings protected better results are obtained. As in t h e United States, active measures t o prevent a n d subdue forest fires are receiving consideration. I n t h e Province of Quebec a fire must not be started, excepting for cooking or for warmth, without a government permit, i t having been determined t h a t most fires s t a r t from bush fires set b y settlers when clearing t h e land. However, 1 2 0 0 permits were issued last year, a n d none of t h e fires got beyond control. MINERALS-The minerals of Canada already yield
Vol. 9, No. 6
a n annual income approaching $200,000,000, a n d yet vast areas have not been prospected. Many of the deposits are inaccessible a t present. There is said t o be one deposit of gold-bearing gravel in British Columbia containing 3,000,000,000 cubic yards running I O cents per yard. Dr. O'Seill, t h e geologist of t h e Stefanson expedition, reports a n ore body of 6,000,ooo,ooo tons bearing copper distributed through t h e mass, in a quantity, however, which is not commercially attractive, b u t t h e indications are t h a t more careful prospecting will disclose concentrations t h a t may make i t feasible in future t o commence mining operations on t h e shores of t h e Arctic Ocean. The wonderful mineral resources of Northern Ontario are just being uncovered, while in t h e vicinity of Cobalt another gold mining camp is already establishing itself. The nickel deposits in t h e vicinity of Sudbury, Ontario, are also a part of t h e great Pre-Cambrian Shield which conforms t o Hudson Bay and which continues into practically unexplored portions of t h e extensive Province of Quebec. Eighty per cent of t h e world's supply of asbestos is mined in t h e Province of Quebec. Canadian apatite cannot be mined by steam shovel as are t h e phosphate deposits in Florida, a n d consequently a t present i t is not a commercial factor b u t may be looked upon as a reserve supply of this important substance. Some of t h e material runs from 83 t o 87 per cent phosphate, b u t i t is enclosed in a hard Laurentian rock: t h a t now used for phosphorus compounds of a chemical grade occurs with t h e mica and may be considered a by-product of this industry. There are two varieties of soda rock which are interesting as being nearly identical with t h e German phonolith extensively used i n t h e manufacture of Apollinaris water bottles. I t is high in soda, contains very little iron, a n d approaches a natural fused glass in its composition. Canadian magnesite has already come t o t h e aid of steel manufacturers in providing a satisfactory refractory a n d is t h e source of much of t h e magnesium now made in t h e United States as well as all of t h a t made in Canada. I need not emphasize t h e importance of molybdenum t o you, b u t may say t h a t ferro-molybdenum is being produced from Canadian molybdenum. d great variety of minerals are t o be found in t h e Dominion, a n d in t h e recovery of some of t h e m t h e chemist and metallurgist, as well as t h e electrometallurgist, will find much t o interest and perplex t h e m . MISCELLANEOUS-other resources include fisheries which reach a very large annual business a n d which may soon become so organized t h a t t h e chemist will find t h e problem of waste disposition confronting him. It is interesting t o note in passing t h a t thousands of soldiers a t t h e front receive rations of Canadian fish twice a week a t t h e present time, a n d t h a t in order t o encourage t h e fish industry t h e Government stands prepared t o defray a portion of t h e expense for transporting fish t o t h e interior of Canada from both t h e Atlantic a n d Pacific coasts.
June. 1917
T H E JOl'RAJTTdL O F I N D U S T R I A L . 4 S D E S G I S E E R I S G C H E M I S I ' K Y
T h e fur-bearing animals yield a n export t r a d e of nearly $6,000,000, besides furnishing furs t o a large domestic market. WATER POWER
t h e domestic fuels in use are principally the coals of eastern a n d far western Canada, including the anthracite in t h e 7-icinity of Bank Head, Alta. The tremendous tonnage of lignite which exists in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and l I a n i t o b a has been limited in its use, due t o its slacking during drying. but work is now under Ivay XThich gives promise of making this lignite a satisfactory fuel for power purposes and the prairie provinces thereby more attractive for fields of industry. Research work looking ton-ard the utilization of cereal straws for fuels in certain areas is also under way n-ith considerable promise of ultimate success. There is also a great quantiiy of oil shale in Xew Brunsv-ick and smaller deposits in t h e \\Testern provinces which may be considered reserve supplies of oil.
As of especial interest t o you, I would emphasize t h e water powers of Canada, which TTith other resources may be expected t o form t h e basis of electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries when t h e population has become sufficiently concentrated and t h e industries utilizing these products of greater size t h a n a t present. T h e water powers of Canada are more a b u n d a n t t h a n in a n y other country. ,Ilready nearly a thousand waterfalls are known t o be suitable for t h e generation of electric power, and every espedition into t h e wilds brings back reports of additional powers v,-hich m a y be developed when the demand S E E D F O R C O ~ P E : R A T I O S O F USITED S T A T E S W I T H comes: 1,712~19324-hour horse power has been deC A SADA veloped, a n d of t h e 18,000,ooo a4-hour horse power which is in sight Q,ooo,ooo is within reach of present I n closing, I wish t o point out t h e need, t h e desiramarkets. I n t h e central portion of Canada. z,ooo,ooo bility and t h e advantage of cooperation between sq. mi. of territory lies at an average elevation of I joo Canada and certain forces in t h e L-nited States. Until ft. This area drains into rivers emptying into t h e St. Canada can train men t o take their places with those Lawrence or t h e sea a n d affords water power of dimen- now engaged in chemical industries, i t is desirable sions difficult t o compute. When t h e potential horse t h a t specialists from the TJnited States seriously power is considered with respect t o area or population, consider Canada as a place for their endeavor, in conCanada is as favorably situated as other nations, and nection with Xmerican capital, which will find a when horse power per square mile is considered i t is favorable field for employment. There is every well u p in t h e list with other large countries. When indication t h a t there will be a preferential d u t y in i t is remembered t h a t 4 lbs. of coal are required on an favor of Canada of a t least 2 j per cent so far as the'rest average t o develop one horse pox-er hour under favor- of t h e British Empire is concerned. Therefore, if able conditions, t h e amount of coal which would have -1mericans wish t o benefit from this trade arrangement t o be burned t o give power equivalent t o the Canadian t h e y must manufacture in Canada. The ten years water powers is quite beyond our comprehension. T h e ending with 1913 saw carried out in Canada a n inprice a t which hydroelectric power is sold varies with dustrial program, probably unapproached in other the amount of power t a k e n a n d is ordinarily based on countries of t h e world. in\-olring an in\-estment of power a t t h e poiver-house, leaving t h e cost of trans- more t h a n $1,300,000,000 of European capital, for vie mission t o t h e consumer. Contracts now in force must remember t h a t , so far as construction is conr u n from some old ones, about t o expire, a t $1.j o per cerned, Canada may be compared with t h e United horse power year t o Szo.00 or more. There are States a t t h e close of the Cix-il War. I t is obvious water powers which can be developed a t a price per t h a t British, Belgian, Dutch and French capital which horse power which may make it possible t o produce formerly found investment in America will not come nitrates from t h e atmosphere in competition with t h e again for a period of years, while it will be t h e privilege low prices in Sorm-ay where processes have found a of t h e United States t o finance new industries t h e world home due t o cheap p'ower. You may remember t h a t over. .And if Anierica is called upon t o aid Canada in 1912 Dr. Eyde stated t h a t when t h e cost of power in with specialists a n d with money she will be doing no S o r w a y reached 36.00 per horse power year they would more t h a n t h e "old lion" has done for her, since during be unable successfully t o compete n4th other sources of t h e last century nearly $ j,ooo,ooo,ooo has been loaned nitrates, t o industrial AImerica. principally by Great Britain. Transmission would seem t o be one of the important Canada will welcome American capital, and her problems in connection with hydroelectric power in natural resources awaiting economic development offer order t o make this energy available in places v-here an attracti\Te and legitimate field for enterprise. economic conditions make it possible t o establish T o those of us ~ h are o endeavoring t o s t u d y Canada electrochemical industries. At present Niagara power i t would seem t h a t opportunity not only knocks a t t h e is being transmitted 242 miles t o TT'indsor, Ontario. door of industrial and financial America b u t stands This is t h e world's record and such a radius enables with her finger pressed against t h e doorbell. Will lye power t o be used over a n area of 180,000 sq. mi. T e hear t h e ring before t h e bell batteries run down, or may confidently rely upon t h e future t o pro\-ide us will we, like a mining engineer viho visited Cobalt t o with still greater improvements in power transmission. report on a property which p r o i e d of no value, travel ox-er a silver sidewalk and not realize i t ? PUEL Fuel is always of paramount importance xvhere a n y sort of industry is under consideration. -At present
A . D.
LITTLE,
LID.
137 MCGILLSTREET l I O N T R E A L , C.4NAD.h
