THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK understood? How can soil be most effectively strengthened unless the forces between particles are understood? "Research on the tundamentals of soil behavior," Dr. JLambe added, "can pay sizable dividends in all branches of soil engineering. For his own good, the soil engineer should cultivate and follow the work of industry in the development of new soil chemicals." Chemical Stabilizers. The stabilization of soils b y chemical means was covered by several conference speakers. T h e use of lime, in amounts of 2 to 1 0 % of soil weight, was. discussed by K. B. Woods of Purdue. Lime is useful, he said, in increasing the strength and load-carrying capacity of soils. Calcium chloride, on the other hand, is employed mainly to reduce dust and to minimize the effect of subzero weather on soils by lowering the freezing point of the water contained in the soil pores. T h e combined use of sodium silicate and calcium chloride in stabilizing soils was described by C. Martin Riedel of Chemical Soil Solidification Co. In this method, a water solution of sodium silicate is first injected into the soil, followed by the injection of a water solution of calcium chloride. T h e resulting calcium silicate, produced u p to a distance of about four feet from the injection pipe, possesses high rigidity and compressive strength. However, the adequate mixing of the reactant chemicals in the soil is a problem in this method. T h e condensation polymerization of aniline a n d furfural to form a trimer was reported by F . E. Lowance of the U. S. Bureau of Yards and Docks. Field tests indicate that aniline-furfural offers promise in beach-sand stabilization. In t h e Navy laboratory at Port Hueneme, Calif., progress in the use of this method has been made by the addition of polyfunctional units enabling the polymerization to proceed past t h e trimer stage. Another potentially useful material for the stabilization of beach sand is Plasmofalt, containing polymerized asphaltic fuel oil and powdered molasses. According to George W . Rappleyea of t h e Tropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, this material, though still in the early stages of development, appears promising. Another available means of chemical soil stabilization involves the polymerization of calcium acrylate in the soil, thereby improving the tensile strength and flexibility of the soil. T h e chrome-lignin method, reported by Julian C. Smith of Cornell University employs lignin sulfite waste that has been oxidized b y potassium dichromate to form an insoluble gel. Chrome-lignin, used as a soil stabilizer either in the form of a continuous surface application or as briquets, provides good water impenetrability and strength. T h e fundamental considerations involved in chemical soil stabilization—particularly the properties and reactions of t h e soil-stabilizer system—were outlined b y George E . Murray of MIT.
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Electrical Treatment. In addition to chemical treatment, soils can also be stabilized by the application oi electrical current. In this method, described by Leo Casagrande, consulting engineer, electrodes are inserted in the soil at distances of approximately every 15 feet. The electrical potential may be applied continuously to t h e soil or it may, after a period, be turned off for intervals of as long as a week without significant impairment of the stabilizing effect. Soil Additives. Soils can also be stabilized by the addition of Portland cement,
usually in quantities of from 8 to 1 4 % by weight. According to Miles D. C a t t o n of the Portland Cement Association, more than 85 million square yards of soil-cement have been laid during the past 17 years. Soil-cement provides a strong, rigid m a t e rial at relatively low cost. Bituminous stabilization, involving the use ot asphalt or tar, may be effectively used to w a t e r proof the soil. Not applicable to finegrained soils, said W . J. Turnbull of t h e Waterways Experiment Station, b i t u m i nous treatment is limited mainly to sandy soils.
C & E N REPORTS: American Plant Food Council
Chemical industry Responsible f o r O n e Third of Food Production U. S. population grew 5 0 % since 1920; production increased 6 0 % in same period .
food
H O T SPRINGS, V A . - T h e products of thei best housed in the world. Other factors nation's chemical industry account for ai affecting food production are a d e q u a t e full third of annual crop output and arej farm incomes, sound land management, legislation, an effective form of insurance for the other: nonregimenting agricultural two thirds of the yield, Herrell F. DeGrafff a n d adequate, reasonably priced p r o d u c advised t h e 500 members and guests att tion tools. the seventh annual convention of thei W i t h a decreasing farm population, inAmerican Plant Food Council which mett creasing over-all population, and limited here June 19 to 22. new land frontiers, t h e fertilizer industry Dr. DeGraff, Cornell University, saidI has a big job to do in meeting f a n n e r s ' that a conservative estimate is that onei needs for plant foods. Dr. Shaw stated that t h e gains n e c e s fourth of total crop production is directlyr attributable to chemical fertilizers. Pesti- sary to maintain existing dietary levels cides raise this figure to one third. have been d u e largely t o research and T h e significance of t h e need and value3 technology; it seems logical, therefore, to of fertilizer was illustrated by Dr. D e - expect that additional food and fiber n e e d s Graff, who noted that the nation's popula- will b e met through additional research tion has grown from 106 million to 157f a n d technology. million since 1920, an increase of aboutt More specifically, he said, by 1975, 5 0 % . During the same period, food pro- with an annual increase in population of duction has increased about 6 0 % . T h e3 2.5 million people, there will be n e e d e d same amount of land is now used to pro- t h e equivalent of 115 million acres of duce this food as was used three decadess cropland producing at 1950 yields per ago. Most of the increase is directly, at- acre. Because there will b e only 7 0 miltributable to advances in agricultural1 lion acres available, greater efficiency in science. production and improved distribution, These developments have brought into) utilization, a n d marketing are necessary. being an increasingly intimate partnership) Recent experimental results, he stated, inbetween scientific research, industry, and1 dicate that fertilizers h a v e not been used the farmer. The fertilizer industry is anl to any degree approaching their full p o t e n tial. indispensable part of this relationship. T h e criterion used by farmers in conFactors Influencing Agriculture. AnI over-all picture of the major factors in- sidering adoption of technological improvefluencing the future of agriculture was pre- ments is "Will it pay?", Mr. Wells stated. sented at a panel discussion. T h e five- Even though a new technological developman panel, headed by Paul D. Sanders,, ment looks promising, the farmers will not editor, The Southern Planter, consisted off generally adopt the idea under a d v e r s e Byron T. Shaw and O. V.- Wells, of the3 economic circumstances. Therefore, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, D. question of maintaining farm incomes at Howard Doane, Doane Agricultural Serv- adequate levels is as important as research ice, and Herschel D. Newsom, T h e Na- and educational efforts. tional Grange. Initial Fertilizer Application. T h e conDr. Sanders stated that fertilizer iss cept of making very heavy initial applicao n e tool needed by farmers to help keepp tions of fertilizers in order to lift t h e level this nation the best fed, best clothed, and1 of farm production as constrasted with
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
applying only crop needs, is the most significant development in American agriculture in the past 50 years, Mr. Doane stated. Other factors affecting increased volumes of agricultural production, Mr. Doane said, include the farm labor force. There is a limit to the extent to which farm labor can be reduced without creating a bottleneck to expanded production. Increasing farm costs resulting in a limited profit margin are another factor. Mr. Nevvsom emphasized the importance of agricultural legislation in the farmer's efforts to meet the nation's increasing food requirements. Acceptance of responsibility by the individual in contrast to the concept of big government is necessary and desirable to meet this need, he said. Fertilizer Consumption Soars. In his presidential address, Paul T. Truitt stated that fertilizer consumption has increased steadily each year since 1938, and for the crop year ending June 30, 1951, reached a record 21 million tons. This represents a tripling of consumption in 13 years. This record, Mr. Truitt believes, indicates that the fertilizer industry is meeting the ever-increasing demands placed on it by a rapidly increasing population. This industry, he said, is also cooperating in educational and research programs on the use of fertilizers. W. A. Minor, assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, confirmed Mr. Truitt's statements on fertilizer consumption, but added that the supply of fertilizer in recent years has not kept pace with farmers' needs. With farm production in 1951 at a level 40% above that of the pre-war period, and with a 6% increase in 1952 over 1951, fertilizer use will be at record levels. Future demands will soar to even higher levels. Pastures Neglected. The best opportunity for low-cost feed production lies in improving livestock pastures, C. J. Chapman, University of Wisconsin, reported. Spectacular results have been obtained in recent demonstration studies in which fertilization of pastures more than doubled output and increased profits tremendously. Proper fertilization of pastures, he concluded, could double or triple production of cattle feed at low costs. Low Man on Totem Pole. The American farmer is "the low man on the totem pole," Rep. Harold D. Cooley (D., N. C.) stated in discussing the need for continued effort on behalf of farmers. The farmer is being called on to meet unprecedented goals, and in meeting these goals he should not have to assume alone the great risks involved. Rep. Cooley recommended price supports to prevent disastrous price declines resulting from "inadvertent, temporary, or transitory super-abundance." The Government, however, is not responsible for protecting farmers against a constant and chronic over-production of any agricultural commodity.
DEC
DBf DMIC befa-Diethylcimine&thyl Chloride Hydrochloride b e f a - D i m e t h y l a m i n o e t h y l Chloride Hydrochloride befa-Dimethylaminoisopropyl Chloride Hydrochloride
For your
antihistamine,
3 0,
NO.
26
»
» »
or analgesic
agents
^Michigan Chemical is the foremost producer of these important pharmaceutical intermediates: DEC for your antispasmodics, D M C for your antihistaminics, and D M I C for your analgesics. All three are used for synthesis in a wide range of other pharmaceuticals, too. When you want prompt and dependable shipment of uniformly pure materials, write, wire or call Michigan Chemical Corporation.
MICHIGAN
CHEMICAL
CORPORATION Saint Louis, Michigan
SALES O F F I C E S : 75 East Wacker Drive Chicago 1, Illinois BASIC
V O L U M E
antispasmodic,
JUNE
MANUFACTURERS
30,
1952
230 Park Avenue New York 17, New York
OF I N D U S T R I A L , P H A R M A C E U T I C A L , A N D AGRICULTURAL
CHEMICALS
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