I/EC
N I A G A R A SECTIONAL Aero HEAT E X C H A N G E R gives close temperature control, saves you LABOR, Power, Water •
Because the n e w design improves the heat transfer to the out-door air by e v a p o r a t i o n .
•
Because n e w features keep your equipment w o r k i n g for long life w i t h " n e w p l a n t " e f f i c i e n c y . . . a l w a y s full capacity.
•
Because y o u save 9 5 % of cooling w a t e r cost.
You get faster, more accurate cooling of industrial fluids to specified temperatures. You improve your quality of production by removing heat at the rate of input. You save labor in upkeep. W i t h full access to all interior parts and piping you see everything in easy inspections. You head off dirt accumu lation and corrosion. Casing panels are removable without moving the coils. The coils can be cleaned from both sides. First cost is low; freight is low because of the lowest space/weight ratio; you save much labor in erection. Capacity range is 7,000,000 to 18,000,000 Btu/hr. N o other heat exchange method gives you so much saving in money and convenience. Write for Niagara Bulletin 132. Ask for the full story of how you can save expense in your plant and improve your product's quality.
NIAGARA BLOWER COMPANY Dept. EC4, 4 0 5 Lexington Avenue N E W Y O R K 17, Ν . Υ. District
Engineers
in
Principal
Cities
Over 40 Years'Service in Industrial Air Engineering For further information, circle number 32 A on Readers' service Card, page 129 A
32 A
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
REPORTS
Many companies are moving south of the border because technical and sales service requirements of cus tomers there are becoming too great for agents to handle. Companies save on Mexican exchange, employ local personnel, and are accepted in to the market more readily when they own plants in Mexico. Some con cerns, fearing that new tariffs will make export of U. S. products less attractive, are hedging with Mexican production. Profit margins compare favorably with those in the U. S. and Canada, although they are somewhat lower. Mexico's rate of growth and low priced foreign competition seem to be the biggest factors holding people back. This year and the next, however, should bring an increasing number of Mexican-American partnerships— a trend that is currently popular.
I/EC
Chemistry's 4th Dimension — Radiation Many applications are in sight —now we must de velop radiation sources with higher output at lower cost EAT, pressure, and catalysts have H long been the three major means of directing and controlling chemical reactions. Now the atomic age is adding a fourth dimension—nu clear radiation. Many problems still remain unsolved, but the prom ising results obtained thus far are a good indication that radiation will be an integral part of many future chemical reactions. The variety of materials and proc esses to which radiation can be adopted seems almost endless. Ir radiated polyethylene is probably the best known, although the list of current research activities stretches
I/EC
Eliminate Oil-in-Mix Problems with NETTCO Portable Mixers!! The DRIP-PROOF CONSTRUCTION of Nettco Portable and Flange-Mounted Mixers typifies the many advanced design features developed and perfected at Nettco to bring you long lasting, low cost "engineered agitation". Benefit from the application versatility of these feature-packed units . . . with standardized components engineered to increase productivity, lower power costs, and minimize maintenance requirements.
Here's what FEATURE-RACKED means: •
Universal bracket clamp permits "anyangle" shaft positioning to suit needs • Top efficiency drive (more propeller power per given HP input) • Oversized bearings for full radial load carrying capacity • Converts in field . . . portable to flange mounts . . . high to medium speeds • Quick shaft interchange due to exclusive split coupling . . . accurate alignment, positive grip, no shaft scoring
Drip-proof construction . . . ideal for food and pharmaceutical applications High speed (1800 RPM) and medium speed (420 RPM) designs Standard NEMA Vertical C Flange Motors (standard speeds, \ t h to 2 HP) Open, totally enclosed, and explosionproof motor constructions Designed for portable, open tank, or closed tank installations
For the ultimate in "Engineered Agitation", send your process specifications to NETTCO for recommendations. Request free DATA SHEETS from New England Tank & Tower Co., 83 Tileston St., Everett 49, Massachusetts.
NETTCO ENGINEERED
AGITATION
FREE
LITERATURE
Please send me the following l i t e r a t u r e : Π Tank Top Agitators—Bulletin 551 Π Portable & Tripod Mixers—Spec. Sheets
Π Pipeline-Flomix®—Bulletin 531 ( J Side Entering—Bulletin 5 3 2
REPORTS
from animal feeds to rocket fuels. But scientists are not only concerned with developing uses for radiation. Before radiation processing can be come a commercial reality, improved sources are needed that can treat large volumes of material at low cost. Radiation is usually associated with radioactive substances such as radium and cobalt-60. A large part of the research work done on sterilizing drugs, preserving foods, and cross-linking plastics has utilized some type of radioactive material. But for commercial applications cost dictates a switch to another form of radiation—high energy electrons. High energy electrons are obtained by several different methods. The results, however, are the same— electrons accelerated to within nine tenths the speed of light. When molecules are bombarded by these high energy particles, amazing changes take place, resulting in new or vastly altered compounds. In this country, the principal manufacturers of electron accelera tors are High Voltage Engineering and General Electric. Basically, their machines accelerate electrons from an insulated high potential to a ground. High Voltage accom plishes this with the Van de GraafF type generator which builds up volt age by accumulating the electrons' charge on a rapidly moving belt. GE uses a vacuum tube and resonant transformer. The question of which machine is better is difficult to answer, and de pends a great deal on the require ments of individual applications. GE claims that the higher power out put of its resonant transformer re sults in lower processing costs. On the other hand, High Voltage says the Van de Graaff accelerator has an advantage in more precise control of the electron beam. Better control is a result of inherently constant voltage in the Van de Graaff, while the resonant transformer operates on a pulsing basis. Electron accelerators are rated by their energy output measured in millions of electron volts, and by power output in terms of kilowatts. Energy output or voltage determines the distance which the electrons can travel into the substance being ir radiated before they are absorbed. Limited penetration is one of the big
For further information, circle number 34 A on Readers' service Card, page 129 A
34 A
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
For further information, circle numbers 35 A-1, 35A-2, 35 A-3, 35 A-4, 35 A-5, 35 A-6 on Readers' Service Card, page 129 A For further information, circle numbers 36 A-1, 36 A-2, 36 A-3, 36 A-4, 36 A-5, 36 A-6, 36 A-7, 36 A-8, 36 A-9, 36 A-10, 36 A-11 on Readers' Service Card, page 129 A
> >-
E/EC REPORT
PIONEERS IN PROPELLANTS The Jet Propulsion L a b o r a t o r y has been engaged in the development of solid and liquid propellants for use in rocket and guided missile propulsion systems for the past 1 7 years. Pioneering achievements in both these fields have led to important contributions to the nation's guided missile program. The propellant field offers a wide variety of problems to the chemist and chemical engineer. The search for new propellants, the stabilization and synthesis of high energy m a t e r i a l s and the control
of
physical properties and combustion
handicaps in radiation processing. Although higher energy machines are now being developed, the average size in use today is 2 m.e.v., which penetrates about 0.4 inch into material of unit density. Commercially practical machines with higher voltages are essential for m a n y uses, since electron penetration is proportional to voltage. An answer to deeper penetration m a y be found in the microwave accelerator—a machine that utilizes high frequency microwaves to accelerate electrons. Insulation problems limit the practical voltage of V a n de Graaff a n d resonant transformer accelerators to about 4 m.e.v. Microwave accelerators can go m u c h higher. H i g h Voltage has standard models designed for 5 a n d 10 m.e.v., and has one machine in operation at over 50 m.e.v. But voltage isn't everything. Microwave accelerators are expensive, and require a proportionately larger power input to obtain unusually high energies.
demand talents in physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry. Special emphasis is placed on combustion, polymers, synthesis, f r e e radical studies and kinetics. The chemical engineer, a t J PL, finds an unusually broad scope for
Cost of Radiation Processing
W h a t ' s the cost? Radiation processing is probably more of an engineering development t h a n a commercial reality. This makes it difficult to list specific figures on cost.
applying his knowledge of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, fluid flow and general processing techniques. If y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d , a
U.S.
citizen, and qualified to work
in
these fields at this well established center of research a n d d e v e l o p ment, send your resume now for immediate consideration.
Job Opportunities Now Open... PHYSICAL CHEMIST · METALLURGIST CHEMICAL ENGINEER PHYSICIST · CHEMIST
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY A Division of C a l i f o r n i a I n s t i t u t e of T e c h n o l o g y
PASADENA • CALIFORNIA A CENTER OF G U I D E D M I S S I L E RESEARCH AND D E V E L O P M E N T
4TH DIMENSION: 2-m.e.v. Van de G r a a f f accelerator installed at Standa r d Telecommunication Laboratories, Ltd., London England
Circle No. 38 A on Readers' Service Card, page 129 A 38 A
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS on the 2 m.-volt Electron Beam Generator are being made in the Coolidge Laboratory opera t e d b y General Electric X-Ray in conjunction with its plant at Milwaukee, Wis. Unit shown is being r e a d i e d for installation at a major chemical company
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
However, a rough approximation can be m a d e . GE's 2-m.e.v. generator sells for about $120,000, not including installation. Basing amortization on a 5-year period, and adding the estimated cost of installation, operation, maintenance, overhead, etc., the total expense of using the machine comes to the neighborhood of $30 per hour. This particular accelerator is rated at 12 kw. Theoretically, 1 kw. of o u t p u t can irradiate a b o u t 950 pounds of product per hour with a dose of 1 m e g a r e p . Assuming that the beam efficiency will be around 5 0 % , 6000 megarep-pounds can be processed for $30. If a treatment of 10 megarcps is needed (an average dose for irradiation of plastics), then 600 pounds per hour can be turned out at a radiation cost of 5 cents per pound. T h e cost of radiation processing is a direct function of the dose required. Preservation of foods and sterilization of drugs can be accomplished with relatively light treatment—in the range of 1 or 2 megareps. O n the other hand, some tough crosslinking jobs require u p to 100 megareps. Polyethylene-coated wire is one
I/EC
neve r fails Accuracy unaffected by tube size or shape Regardless of a n y difference in the size or shape of U-Type manometer legs, the difference between column heights will always b e a true indication of the u n · known pressure. M o r e details in Bulletin G-14.
A manometer is operated by the force of gravity. Its perfect reproducible accuracy depends on nothing else. That is why a manometer is always accurate . . . today, tomorrow and forever. Calibration is never required . . . never subject to question. This unfailing accuracy is the reason why manometers are the primary standard by which other instruments are judged, calibrated and verified. Accuracy and dependability go hand in hand in the broad line of Meriam Manometers. For this reason, they are being specified for an ever increasing number of industrial as well as laboratory applications . . . wherever dependable, low cost, low maintenance instrumentation is desired.
NEW . . . complete manometer
as manometer laboratory The Meriam
and informative
theory
guide to
and practice
as
well
models for plant, field and
use. Just ask for Bulletin
G-14'
Instrument Company,
10920
Madison Avenue,
Cleveland
2, Ohio.
IFFERENTIALS
MERIAM
MANOMETERS ...alwaysaccurate
For further information, circle number 40 A on Readers' Service Card, paie 129 A 40 A
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
REPORTS
e x a m p l e of a material that meets the r e q u i r e m e n t s for radiation processing. I t is p r o d u c e d continuously, a n d is thin e n o u g h to be treated w i t h existing e q u i p m e n t . I r r a d i a t e d polyethylene has vastly improved heat stability, w h i c h extends its useful range of application. Back t o radioactive isotopes—• these offer a source of radiation particularly valuable to t h e r e searcher. T h e i r attractiveness stems from two basic a d v a n t a g e s : reasonable cost a n d flexibility. Limited capacity, w h i c h has prohibited their use in most commercial applications, is not necessarily a d r a w b a c k in r e search work. A n isotope source, such a s t h e cobalt-60 installation at B. F. Goodrich's research center, can be set u p for as little as $20,000. An electron generator m i g h t r u n 10 times this figure. Contrasted t o quick a n d shallow absorption of electrons, g a m m a rays from radioactive sources p e n e t r a t e d e e p into t h e m a t e r i a l being i r r a d i a t e d . T h i s enables the scientist t o study objects with a variety of shapes a n d sizes. T h e simplicity of isotope sources also a p peals t o laboratory workers. Basically, all t h a t is needed is the slabs of radioactive material, enclosed i n a lead shield fitted with a p p r o p r i a t e radiation c h a m b e r s . Samples placed in the r a d i a t i o n " p i g " c a n b e i r r a d i a t e d for hours, days, o r weeks, d e p e n d i n g u p o n the dose needed t o obtain the desired effects. Most experts agree t h a t isotopes are n o t likely t o be used for commercial radiation processing i n t h e foreseeable future. Cost in terms of power o u t p u t is the m a i n reason. O n l y a b o u t 15 watts is obtained from 1000 curies of cobalt-60, costing $5000. T o e q u a l 1 kw. of m a c h i n e o u t p u t it would take over $300,000 of cobalt-60. R a d i a t i o n chemistry is now on the threshold of n e w frontiers. For 60 years following t h e discovery of x-ray, r a d i a t i o n w a s little m o r e t h a n a scientific curiosity as far a s chemical processing was concerned. T h e high energy electron b e a m is n o w transforming l a b o r a t o r y o b servations into commercial reality. T h e future will bring improved a n d p e r h a p s entirely new sources of radiation t h a t will unlock the doors to new concepts in chemistry.
