- 1SD E iVGI S E E R I S G CH E ..VIS T R Y saponified a n d 98 per cent f a t t y acids. I n t h e h a y a n d escrements from t h e m i t consisted on a n average of 3 per cent unsaponified, 30 per cent f a t t y acids. a n d 6 ; per cent saponified residue. T h e f a t t y acids in t h e nitrogen-free extract of sis h a y s were utilized b y sheep, I I , 2 per cent on a n average, a n d t h e non-fat organic acids 21.; per cent. Of t h e same hays 3 j . j per cent of t h e ether extract ("crude fat") were utilized. TEXAS EXPERIMENT SSaTIOh COLLEGES T A T I O S , TEXAS
COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN FISH FERTILIZERS FROM THE PACIFIC COAST AND THE FERTILIZER VALUE OF DEGREASED FISH SCRAP By
R. L I N D E M C T H ~
JOHK
Received Februari, 4, 1915
'The availability of t h e fish waste of t h e Pacific Coast as a fertilizer is one of t h e investigations now being carried on b y this Bureau in its search for possible sources of fertilizer material under t h e direction of D r . F. IC. Cameron. I n this connection Dr. J . TT'. Turrentine? during t h e summer of 1913) visited t h e fishing a n d fish-canning industries along t h e coast of California, Oregon, T a s h i n g t o n . a n d -1Iaska. T h e results of his investigations appeared as a bulletin of this D e p a r t m e n t . I n conjunction with this n-ork a number of samples of fish scrap prepared from \-arious fish were collected a n d sent t o this laboratory for analysis. 'The list comprises samples of t h e raw cuttings from Humpl2ack salmon. t h e prepared scrap from H u m p b a c k , Chinook salmon, Sardine, T u n a , TThale, a n d Dogfish. The Humpback cuttings from Alaska were made up of t h e raw heads, fins, tails a n d roe. T h e y were shipped in a sealed tin box which was broken open in transit. Formaldehyde h a d been added t o prevent decomposition b u t some pieces of t h e scrap were badly decomposed, while others were in a fairly good s t a t e of preserx-ation. The altered pieces were separated as far as possible a n d discarded. 'r.4BLE
inch. Samples of 2 grams each were t h e n dried for about j hours or more, according t o t h e kind of fish? in a vacuum oven a t a temperature ranging between - - o a n d 8 j '. Some t y p e s of fish require longer drying t h a n others t o r e m o r e all t h e moisture a n d secure a constant weight. The loss in weight was recorded as moisture. I n t h e case of t h e sample of raw H u m p back cuttings. moisture was determined before grinding b y drying t o a constant weight in a water-oven. I n this operation it is probable t h a t some of t h e lower Volatile oils were lost. I n fact, t h e point where all t h e moisture is remo\-ed without a n y loss of oil has been very h a r d t o establish, a n d further work on this subject, together with a s t u d y of extraction agents, is expected to be done in t h e near future b y t h e author. Oil was determined by extracting with ether a 2 gram sample which had been previously dried t o constant weight. Nitrogen was determined according t o t h c official method by l l r . T. C. Trescott: of t h e Bureau of Chemistry. Phosphoric acid was determined by t h e official gravimetric method. T h e results appear i n Tables I a n d 11. On t h e basis of t h e analysis reported in Table I t h e value of t h e raw cannery waste is derived below. T h e percentage of nitrogen, 3 . oz! is equivalent t o 3 . 6 7 per cent ammonia, S H a . This, in t h e retail market. m a y be expected t o bring $3. 2 0 per u n i t ; bone phosphate is valued a t I O cents per u n i t , a n d oil a t 30 cents per gallon. T h e n :
,
3.67 per cent NHBa t $3.20 per unit ... 3.46 per cent hone phosphate a t 10 c. per u n i t . . 27.05 gallons oil a t 3 0 c . per g a l l o n . . , . . . . , .
TOTAL VALUEPER
R 4 w
, . . .
... . . . . . .... T O N .. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$11.74 0.35 8.12
520.21
By present methods in vogue: t h e manufacturers of fertilizer a n d oil from this material expect t o recoTTer about S I j.0 0 in values. Present methods. t h e n , can be considered as only i j per cent efficient. I n further substantiation of this conclusion are t h e results published b y Thomas1 quoted below: "The averages of all esperiments show the following facts : Each ton of salmon offal treated produced BOO lhs. of mixed
I--AN.%LYsE!s O F S A M P L E S O F SHE RAW ? * I A T E R I A L P R O D U C E D -45 \%'ASS€ IX S H E ,\fECH.4KICAL DRESSING O F "HUMPB.%CK" SALMOS >laterial Taken from t h e Floor of t h e Cannery of t h e Pure Food Fish Co , Ketchikan, Alaska, July, 1913 '
P E R C E K S C A L C U L A S E D S O BASIS O F W E T S C R A P r
L
Moisture Roe (1, male a n d 1 2 female). . 6 8 . 7 Heads... . . . . . . . . , , . . . . . , , , 63.2 Fins and t a i l s . . . . . , , , . . . . . , , 6 3 . 2 6
AVERAGE. .
.. , . . , . . . .
_64.6
'
7.65 3.1I ~
3.02
1 54 2.20
3.36 4.80
PER
13.70 11.16
C E N T ~ A L C U L 4 T E DT O > I O I S T C K E - F R E E
IjASIS
G.AJ.LONSOIL ?Gtrogen Phosphoric acid Bone phosphate PER T o s N P?Ck Cai(P04)2 Oil 8.24 35.51 28,94
__
__
__
__
1 59
3.46
10.43
2 i .0.5
Scientist i n Fertilizer Investigations, Bureau of Soils, U. S. Dept of Agriculture. 2 Bull. 2, Bureau of Soils, U. S. Dept. h g r .
THISJ O U R K A L . 5 (1913). 388.
-
Nitrogen Phosphoric acid Bone phosphate NT P2Oi Cal(POa)? Oil 3.68 1.08 2..35 3.18
T h e samples of d r y scrap were collected from t h e respective manufactories a n d were shipped in canvas sample sacks. LIethods of preparation of fish scrap are described in Bulletin 2 of this D e p a r t m e n t . ? IIETHODS O F +.saLysIs-The methods of analysis in t h e main were t h e same as described b y t h e a u t h o r in a joint article with E. G . Parker. of t h e Bureau staff, on t h e subject, "Some dnalyses of Fish Scrap."3 Before analysis t h e samples were ground t o a powder t h a t would pass a sieve of 16 apertures per linear
'I
61 5
1i.76 I .20 8.46 ~
3.44 4.18 5.98 ~
8.65
4.44
7.50 9.13 13.06
10.16 3i.22 30.37
9.70
28.74
-_
oil and fertilizer. Of this amount zoo Ibs. was salmon oil and 600 Ibs. oil-free fertilizer. The average analysis of the fertilizer thus produced was: A m m o n i a . . . . . . 14.3 per cent
Bone phosphate., . 13.0 per cent
"Estimating the zoo lbs. of oil as being 2.5 gal., at a price of $ 0 . 3 2 , which seems a fair average, we have then for each ton of offal treated an oil value of $ 8 , and, estimating the value of a unit of ammonia at $ 3 . 2 0 and bone phosphate a t I O cents per unit, we have a fertilizer value at:
. .. , . .. . . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . .
14.3 per cent ammonia at $3.20.. , , , 13 per cent hone phosphate a t SO.10..
$45.76 TOTAL 1.30 J $47.06 per ton
"Then at 600 lbs. of fertilizer of this quality to the short ton of offal treated, me have $47.06 X 0 . 3 = $14.12, the fertilizer 1
?nQ7f,
A. M. Thomas, "Waste in Salmon Canning Industry," I'uri-fii Fisher[21
ia
(19141, 26.
T H E J O L - R - V A L O F I N D r S T R I . 1 L . 4 S D E S G I A V E E R I A V GC H E M I S T R Y
616
value OF one ton of offal, which gives an available value for one ton of offal of: Fertilizer., . . . . $14.12
Oil., . . . . . . .
.
38.00
TOTAL VALUE.. . $22.12.’’
I n Table I t h e averages are calculated by doubling t h e percentages given under heads, since t h e heads constitute appro.ximately twice as much of t h e bulk of t h e scrap as either t h e roe or t h e fins a n d tails. The number of gallons of oil per t o n of wet scrap was computed from t h e percentages of oil. using 0 .g z j as t h e sp. gr. of fish oil. Table I1 gives t h e analyses of t h e samples of prepared scrap. Samples 6 to I O are of t h e most important fish, outside of salmon, used in t h e fertilizer industry on t h e Pacific Coast. The whale scrap results compare fauorably with those given by H. T. Offerdahl-Tarvikl of a general whale fertilizer containing I O t o I Z per cent nitrogen a n d 14 t o I j per cent phosphoric acid, a n d also with t h e results given by Stockhardt.2 Xnalyses of dog fish were made by t h e Pacific Products Company of Port Townsend. Washington, on some scrap taken a few days later from t h e same bin as Sample I O . The results reported by them compare favorably with those of t h e author a n d are as follows in percentages : NH;, 15
PlO6, 3.6
Moisture, 8
Oil, 6.8
T h e two samples of a n English product were examined for comparative purposes. The quantity of t h e samples, however, was inadequate for complete analysis, a n d t h e percentages are low because t h e samples TABLE11-PERCENTAGE XO.
1 2 3
Klawack, Alaska: North Pacific Fishing and Trading Co. Anacortes, Wash.: Robinson Fisheries Co. Anacortes, Wash.: Russia Cement Co. 4 Seattle, Wash.: Rrandel Chemical C o . 5 Astoria, Ore.: DeForce Oil Works 6 Monterey, Cal.: Monterey Packing Co. 7 Victoria, B. C.: Canadian North Pacific Fisheries, Ltd. 8 Victoria, B. C . : Canadian North Pacific Fisheries, L t d . 9 San Pedro, Cal.: San Pedro Fertilizer Co. 10 P o r t Townsend, Wash.: Pacific Products Co. 11 London, E. C . : H. Wiskemann Wool Exchange 12 London, E. C.: H. Wiskemann Wool Exchange 13 Key West, Florida (a) More accurately, ether extract. This consists principally of oils.
contained a large quantity of sand or crushed quartz. Similarly a sample of unedible shark from t h e Atlantic Coast was examined. I n this case t h e livers alone are used for their oil and t h e remainder thrown away. C H A R A C T E R O F PRODUCT-The scrap produced from salmon waste is of a very high quality, a n d is open t o criticism, from a fertilizer point, only on t h e fact of its high content of oil. This amount of oil does have a marked influence on t h e fertilizing properties of t h e scrap as is shown in t h e following pot experiment work. I t is further disadvantageous in t h a t it is so much inert material of no fertilizer value. H o w ever, t h e fact t h a t t h e oil. of high value if extracted. here plays the rBle of a worthless diluent of a less valuable product, has not as much bearing on t h e value of t h e scrap as a fertilizer as i t has on t h e economy of t h e process by which t h e material is prepared. C O M P A R I S O N W I T H S I E X H A D E S ScRAP-For t h e sake of comparison between t h e salmon and menhaden 1 2
Ber. d . deutsch Pharm. Ges., 23 (1913), 558-559. Chem. Ackevsmonn. 16 (18701, 52.
scrap, Table I11 is reprinted from t h e analyses ~ p pearing in “Some Analyses of Fish Scrap.”’ The salmon scrap has a lighter color a n d a more pleasant odor t h a n the menhaden scrap. This, again, possibly does not concern t h e fertilizing value, though there is a possibility t h a t it may affect its demand in t h e trade. I t is said t h a t some agriculturists z ~ p praise t h e value of fertilizer materials by t h e disagreeableness and strength of their odor. On t h e contrary, i t is a better established fact t h a t considerable prejudice exists against fish scrap on t h e part of common carriers a n d the public in general because of its odor. Since nothing is t o be lost a n d something is t o be gained by reducing t h e disagreeable odors of fish fertilizers, the point mentioned is favorable t o the salmon scrap. The better smell of t h e latter is clue most probably in greatest measure to t h e fact t h a t i t is dried a t moderate temperatures and is not scorched. as inevitably must happen in t h e hot air driers as now operated on the Atlantic Coast. I t is also true t h a t t h e menhaden scrap is dried in a stream of hot gases generated in a soft-coal fire; t h e soot from this undoubtedly contributes likewise t o t h e dark color of t h e product. Another point of difference between t h e salmon and menhaden scrap is introduced by t h e occasional acidulation of t h e latter. The addition of sulfuric acid t o t h e scrap is practiced most generally t o disinfect t h e undried but freshly coolied and warm “pomace;”
.kNALYSES
LOCATION AND COMPANY
v01. 7 . S O . 7
OF
PREPARED
FISHSCRAP
N PzO; DESCRIPTION Samplefromtrialrunwithsteamdrier 9.39 5.32 Dry scrap from steam drier 8.26 7.91 Dry scrap from hot-air drier 9.49 2.26 Dry scrap from steam drier 8.76 i.00 D r y scrap from hot-air drier 7.63 12.08 i.97 7.11 Sardine scrap 11.59 0.94 Whale meal 3.01 26.08 Whale bone-meal 8.54 7.25 T u n a scrap 1?.15(b) 3 . 5 9 Dog-fish scrap Fish meal 6.54 4.78 8.57 4.56 M e a t meal 9.34 1.99 Shark waste ( h ) Equivalent to 1 4 . i i per cent ammonia, “I.
Moisture 5.36 5.21 i.26 3.91 5.11 5.57 5.41 2.53 4.21 6.35
....
.... 13.83
Oils(a) 14.96 li.36 8 .S2 20.02 10.96 8.42 12,iO Trace 1.3.2; i.89 , . .
.... Trace
and t o render i t unfit as a breeding place for flies. This is resorted t o . as a rule, only when t h e scrap is being produced a t a r a t e greater t h a n t h a t a t which it can be dried. T h e acidulation frequently is followed by drying. T h e addition of sulfuric acid t o the scrap is supposed t o be beneficial in t h a t it ”fixes the ammonia” a n d renders soluble t h e phosphoric acid of t h e calcium phosphate constituting t h e bones. While it induces a disintegration a n d pulverization of t h e scrap. and enables t h e producer t o sell t h e bone phosphate present as soluble phosphoric acid. at the same time it acts as a diluent of slight (if any) fertilizer value, with no rating on a fertilizer basis. I n t h e foregoing comparison of scrap from salmon a n d menhaden. respectively. it is not intended t h a t t h e idea shall be conveyed t h a t t h e menhaden scrap for fertilizer purposes is inferior t o t h a t from the salmon. I t is believed t h a t t h e ammonia and phosphate of t h e one is as valuable as t h a t of t h e other. FISH S C R A P A S C A T T L E A X D P O U L T R Y FEED-TO
’ LOC. Cif.
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D C S T R I A L
July: 1 9 1 j
tliwuss fish scrap from a n y point of view other t h a n t h a t of fertilizer perhaps is beyond t h e province of this paper. I t should be pointed o u t here, however, t h a t in connection with such fertilizer materials as dried blood, abattoir tankage of high-grade, cottonseed-meal. a n d fish scrap, i t is better agricultural practice t o feed these t o stock, provided, of course. t h a t all harn-yard manures be conserved carefully, t h a n t o apply t h e m directly t o t h e soil. It can be t a k e n as thoroughly well established t h a t both t h e nitrogen nr.d t h e phosphoric acid, after performing their rBle i n t h e life processes of t h e adult animal, are eliminated. T h e n t h e high food value of these rich foods is utilized a n d at t h e same t i m e t h e fertilizing elements are still available for use on t h e growing crops. F r o m t h e point of view of cattle a n d poultry feed, t h e salmon scrap must be considered superior t o t h e menhaden. I n t h e first place t h e acidulated scrap is totally unfit for feeding purposes. I t s use in t h a t manner undoubtedly would result in disaster. And in smaller degree, t h e greater care expended in drying t h e salmon scrap makes i t a more desirable article oi’ food. I n f a c t , when t h e n a t u r e of t h e raw materials a n d t h e sanitary conditions under which it is t r e a t e d , obtaining in certain manufactories, a r e considered, i t might also be regarded as fit for m a n ‘ s consump-
ILVD E N G I L V E E R I N G C H E M I S T R E ’
617
salmon oil. T h e a m o u n t actually produced, 286,000 gallons, is t o o small t o give i t very great importance in t h e industries. I t is r a t e d , however, as a high-grade fish oil. T h e market price, 30 cents per gallon, against 23 cents for menhaden oil as quoted in 1912, is sufficient evidence of t h a t fact. There is no reason t o doubt t h a t i t is destined t o play a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t as a n animal oil when t h e salmon scrap industry is fully developed a n d there is enough oil available t o make its s t u d y a n d exploitation profitable. I n t h e absence of more detailed information concerning t h e physical a n d chemical properties of salmon oil, i t must suffice t o s a y t h a t i t is merely a highgrade fish oil. T h e crude salmon oil is lighter in color t h a n , perhaps, t h e refined menhaden. I t s properties, as now understood, a d a p t it t o t h e uses t o which menhaden oil has been successfully applied, conspicuous among which is i t s utilization as a lubricant, a n d especially in t h e paint a n d enamel industries.’ GLuE-Fish glue made from salmon is regarded as lowI n this pargrade a n d of proportionately slight value. ticular i t differs markedly from t h a t prepared from cod skins. I t is applied. with success, t o t h e preparation of “sizings” a n d allied materials. P O T EXPERIMESTS-SerieS of pot a n d plot esperiments were undertaken b y J . J. Skinner. of this
Per cent T A B L EI I I - - ~ I C K H A D E N SCRAP I DESCRIPTION N P2Oj Moisture Oils D r y scrap (from 6 sacks) 8.93 6 , l Z 6 . 4 8 5.91 6.18 6.81 D r y scrap (sample from 525 tons) 8.96 i . t 3 D r y scrap, dried in hot air and steam driers (from one sack) Fall product 7 . 70 5 . 2 2 1;. 68 6 . 6 2 Dry scrap, ground (from 3 sacks) 9.29 6.12 1 . 8 6 5.38 7.17 7 . 5 5 D u s t from grinders 8.80 5 . 2 1 6 , l , 3 8.57 D r y scrap, hydraulic presses, sample from heap 8.22 5 . 9 5 D r y scrap from open heap 8 . 4 9 5.95 9 . 1 2 8’.23 7.76 9 . 6 5 8.15 2 . 5 6 Scrap, d r y , from hydraulic presses Ground scrap, sun-dried, hydraulic presses. Sample from heap 7.81 5.85 7.46 d . 8 9 8.29 9.00 7.00 5.40 Scrap, d r y , ground. hydraulic messes. S a m d e from heav , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . .8 . 4 3 6.65) i . 7 2 6.99 , .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , , . . . . . .
5,. LOCATION A N D COMPANY I Kilmarnock, Va.: E u b a n k s T a n k a r d Co. 7 T a f t . Va.: T a f t Fish Co. .? Irvington, Va.: Carter’s Creek Fish Guano Co. 4 Cape Charles, V a . Atlantic Fish & Oil Co. i Cape Charles, V a . : Atlantic Fish & Oil Co. Beaufort, N. C . : Beaufort Fish Scrap & Oil Co. , Morehead C i t y . h-.C . : R . W. Taylor 8 Morehead C i t y , K . C . : Chas. S. Wallace 9 Lenoxville, X . C . : C. P. Dey 10 Lenoxville, h-.C . : C. P. De).
fi
.4VERAGES.
...,
tion. I t would be interesting t o learn whether t h e oil remaining in t h e salmon scrap is not of a more digestible n a t u r e t h a n t h a t in t h e menhaden scrap. S o experimental d a t a is a t h a n d i n substantiation of such a belief; b u t such appears plausible when i t is recalled t h a t t h e salmon oil is light a n d sweet a n d partakes more nearly of t h e n a t u r e of t h e edible oils? while t h a t from menhaden is d a r k , heavy a n d viscous a n d has a disagreeable odor. There are n o differences in t h e methods of rendering sufficiently great to account for t h e difference in t h e natures of t h e respective oils; their differences m u s t be regarded as inherent. T h e subject of t h e suitability of fish scrap for cattle a n d poultry feed a n d t h e experiments performed relating thereto have been discussed in a n earlier publication of this D e p a r t m e n t a n d therefore will not be repeated here. I n all of t h e experiments, records of which have come t o t h e attention of t h e writer! t h e results have been affirmative a n d of such a n a t u r e as t o justify t h e further exploitation of this food material for t h a t purpose. T h e reader interested in this phase of t h e subject is referred t o Bztlleliii 2 , U. S. D e p a r t m e n t of Agriculture, “ T h e Menhaden Fish Fertilizer I n d u s t r y of t h e Atlantic Coast .” orL-The literature contains little having t o d o with
Bureau, t o determine whether t h e residual oil in t h e fish scrap h a d a n injurious effect on t h e fertilizer value, a n d t h e preliminary results are so very interesting from several standpoints t h a t he has been kind enough t o allow me t o publish t h e m in p a r t . Fish scrap is undoubtedly a n efficient fertilizer as shown b y t h e accompanying photographs a n d green weights. I n every case where scrap was applied there was a decided increase in growth and when oilfree scrap was added a still greater growth was noticeable. This residual oil appears t o have a large influence on t h e fertilizer properties a n d surely warrants further s t u d y a n d a consequent investigation of t h e efficiency of present methods of removing t h e oil. T h e effect of these fish scrap fertilizers in soils was tested by growing wheat plants in t h e treated soil in paraffined wire pots. T h e plants grew from M a y j t h t o 28th. T h e paraffined wire pot method is described in Circular 18 of t h i s Bureau. Fish scrap was added at t h e r a t e of j o o Ibs. per acre a n d duplicates were made i n every case. There were t w o t y p e s of soil used, t h e one a loam a n d t h e other a sandy loam. T h e analyses of t h e fish scrap samples used are given i n Table IV. 1 For a brief discussion of menhaden oil see U . S . Dept. A g r . , Ardl. 2, p. 46, el seq.
T H E JOI‘R,VAL O F I , V D C S T R I A L A.hTD E S G I - V E E R I S G C H E M I S T R Y
618
Yo]. 7 . S o . 7
IT. J . Springborn. of t h e S e w Bedford Extractor Company, of New Bedford, Mass. Both estimate t h e outlay for buildings a n d equipment t o be $ 2 j , ANALYSESOF SAMPLES USEDIN POTEXPERIMENTS ooo for a plant with a capacity of about I O tons per PZO5 Moisture Oil d a y . To house t h e degreasing plant n fire-proof
T h e green weights of t h e plants are given in Table I t will be noticed t h a t t h e Hagerstown loam was t h e better producing soil. T h e t u n a scrap was not
Y.
TABLEIV-PER CENT FISH N Salmon . . . . . . . . 9 . 3 9
5.32 i.11 7.25 5.95
Sardine. . . . . . . . . 7 . 9 7 8.54 , , . . , . . 8.22
5.36 5.57 4.21 6.13
14.96 8.42 13.27
8.57
very effective in t h e case of t h e Orangeburg sandy loam b u t shows much better results when added t o t h e Hagerstown loam. TABLEV-GREEN
WEIGHTS
LOAMUSED
(GRAMS)O F
WHEAT P L A N T S
Hagerstown
Soil u n t r e a t e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salmon fish scrap-oil-free Soil Soil Salmon fish s c r a p . . . . . . . . . Soil Sardine fish scrap-oil-free Sardine fish scrap.. ...................... 2.55 Soil Soil T u n a fish scrap-oil-free.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . 5 2 T u n a fish scrap . . . . . . . . . . 3.25 Soil Menhaden fish scrap-oil-free.. 3.60 Soil Soil Menhaden fish s c r a p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . 1 0
+++ + + + + +
...........
Orangeburg sandy 1.65 3.15 2.05 3.04 2.70 2.00 1.90 2.70 2.50
R E M O V A L O F R E S I D U A L OIL-The recovery of t h e residual oil can undoubtedly be accomplished by a n extraction with gasoline. similar t o t h e process now in vogue in t h e degreasing of garbage tankage. I n this process t h e tankage is p u t in a large cylindrical t a n k a n d washed with gasoline until t h e gasoline drawn off is colorless. The residual gasoline is driven off by
FIG.1 1 - O R A N G E B U R G ?-Soil
+
3-Soil Oil-free Sardine Scrap + Oil-free Salmon Scrap 4-Soil ++Scrap Oil-free T u n a Scrap 5-Soil + Oil-free Menhaden
One operator, 25 cents an h o u r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ One laborer, 20 cents an h o u r . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 gallons of gasoline.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3tonsofcoal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ‘1s of fireman’s time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repairs and miscellaneous expenses.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
++
s t e a m , a n d t h e gasoline a n d oil separated by distillation. T h e equipment consists of one rotary percolat o r or washing t a n k , one condenser, one still for distilling t h e gasoline from t h e oil, one oil-finishing t a n k , t w o separating t a n k s for separating t h e solvent from water, one heater for heating solvent. three pumps, t h e necessary storing t a n k s for storing t h e finished oil a n d gasoline, t w o conveyors (one for delivering t h e material t o t h e percolator a n d t h e other for removing t h e same), boilers. motors. piping. etc. T h e removal of t h e residual oil in fish scrap will not only increase t o a great extent its value as a fertilizer, as shown in t h e preceding experiments, b u t will seemingly also more t h a n p a y for itself in t h e oil recovered. T h e following estimates of t h e cost of degreasing menhaden scrap have been made. Consideration has been given t o t h e oi.1 recovered only a n d not t o t h e enhanced r a l u e of t h e fish scrap. These figures are based on works d a t a obtained in t h e degreasing of garbage tankage. T h e d a t a have been secured through t h e kindness of Mr. T. D. Banks, of t h e Municipal Reduction Plant of Columbus, Ohio, and N r .
LOAMAND OIL-FREEFISHS C R A P
building would probably be regarded as essential. T h e cost of this would be determined by local conditions. For a fish scrap plant i t would not be necessary t o erect a building as expensive as t h a t recluired b y a municipal garbage reduction plant such as t h a t made t h e basis of t h e above estimate. T h e operation of t h e plant would require t h e i e r vices of t w o men, who during t h e actual operation would devote all of their time thereto; if t h e ?team requisite is supplied from t h e boilers already installed a n d operated, only a portion of t h e fireman’s time need be charged t o t h e degreasing plant. I n the degreasing of garbage tankage t h e loss in gasoline averages 6 gallons per t o n of product while t h e bulk of t h e gasoline is redistilled a n d used over a n d over again. The following estimate of t h e operating espenses of a n eight-hour d a y m a y t h e n be made:
FIG.I-HAGERSTOWN LOAMA N D OIL-FREEFISHSCRAP 3-SOil Oil-free Sardine Scrap I-Untreated Soil 2-Soil Oil-free Salmon Scrap 4-Soil Oil-free T u n a Scrap 5-Soil Oil-free Menhaden Scrap
+
SAWDY
1-1’ntreated
2 .OO 1.60 7.20 4.50 0.32
.
1 .OO
__
P E R DAY ........................... TOTAL PER T O P . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTAL
616.62 1.66
Interest o n investment. $ 2 j , 0 0 0 , a t 6 per cent, is $ ~ . j o o or , per t o n , on basis of 1,000t o n season’s o u t -
LOAM A X D FISHSCRAP FIG.111-ORANGEBURGSANDY ~~
~~
WITH- A N D W I T H O U T O I L
~
+
.?-Soil Sardine Scrap Containing Oil Sardine I Scrap ~ + Oil-free Salmonscrap ~ ~ 4-soil 5-Soil Salmon Scrap Containing Oil
+
p u t , S I . j o . I t should he recalled in this connection t h a t t h e outlay for equipment a n d building may be reduced materially below this figure. Hence t h e total cost of degreasing would he S g . 16 per ton.
1 H E JOL-RiT‘rlL O F I S D C S T R I A L .I S D E -V GI ATE E RI S G C H E M I S 7’ R Y
July, 1915
Since t h e analyses of dried menhaden scrap m a d e in this Bureau show t h e average content of oil t o be approximately 6.99 per cent. it m a y be t a k e n t h a t each t o n of scrap would yield 1 3 9 . 8 0 lbs. of oil, which, a t 7 . 71 lbs. per gal.. is equivalent t o 18. 13 gals. per t o n . This a t 23 cents per gallon’ has a value of $ 4 . 1 7 per t o n . T h e cost of production being $3.16, t h e profit per t o n in oil recovered would be S1.00,or for t h e season’s production of 1000 tons, $1,000. If such a process were applied t o scrap from salmon which, i t is recalled, contains I 2 , 6 9 per cent oil, t h e profit would be $ 6 . 7 2 per t o n . on t h e basis of t h e same operating expenses as a b o r e a n d of 30 cents per gallon for oil. Since t h e o u t p u t of t h e indi7-idual plants on t h e Pacific Coast is n o t , on t h e average, 1,000tons per season, central receiving stations could be erected in t h e various sections a n d t h e degreasing done there. All t h e above estimates show t h a t t h e oil recovered would p a y for t h e process without a n y consideration being given t o t h e enhanced fertilizer value of t h e product. When, however. this feature is considered, i t is seen from t h e preceding pot experiments t h a t on t h e average t h e fertilizing qualities of t h e fish scrap are increased b y approximately 23 per cent. c 0 s c L u SI 0 3-s T h e fish waste of t h e Pacific Coast is very high in fertilizer value. I t averages higher t h a n menhaden i n i t s contents, as follows: M E N H A D E:X Nitrogen, 8 . 4 3 per c e n t ; phosphoric acid ( P , O j ) , 6 . 6 9 per c e n t ; a n d oil, 6 . 9 9 per cent. S A L M O XE,T C :. Xitrogen, 9 . 3 I per c e n t ; phosphoric acid (P205), 6 . 7 2 per c e n t ; a n d oil, 1 2 . 6 9 per cent. T h e menhaden industry is much larger a n d older, b u t there is no d o u b t b u t t h a t t h e salmon scrap industry will grow rapidly a n d soon equal t h e menhaden. This is especially t r u e because of t h e increasing ,dem a n d s for nitrogenous fertilizers a n d t h e availability of salmon cannery waste. T h e Aimerican Fertilizer Handbook for 1 9 1 4 ~ in reviewing t h e fish scrap fertilizer industry, gives t h e following conclusions: “ P r o b a b l y t h e most i m p o r t a n t feature t o t h e fish manure business during t h e past year was t h e unusually large number of new companies formed t o operate in this line. T h e industry, which was only a few years ago a comparatively uni m p o r t a n t one, is nom- one t h a t is attracting t h e a t t e n tion of financial men generally.” RUREhU
O F SOILS,
’WASHIKCTON,
D.
c.
NOTES ON THE COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF PHOSPHORUS IN SOIL. EXTRACTS 13y C . E. > < I L L A R
.IND
Schreiner a n d Brown’ has been used t o some extent for a number of years. Little or no d a t a where this method has been applied t o soil solutions have been published a n d t h e general feeling has prevailed t h a t it. was somew h a t inaccurate in such work. T h e writers were in need of a reliable method for determining small a m o u n t s of phosphorus in sojl extracts a n d consequently a n investigation of this method was undertaken. A series of tests emphasized t h e precautions brought o u t b y Yeitch: ( I ) Use filter paper as free of silica as possible such as Schleicher a n d Schull’s N o . j89. ( 2 ) Use exact a m o u n t s of nitric acid a n d molybdate solution. T h e use of a poorer grade of paper caused a reading almost double t h a t obtained when blank determinations were run with t h e better paper. B y varying t h e a m o u n t of nitric acid i t was found t h a t quite a distinct color could be almost entirely dissipated. 1-arying a m o u n t s of molybdate solution also affect t h e color. With t h e greatest care in t h e purification a n d use of all reagents i t was found impossible t o get blank determinations without a trace of color a n d in consequence a small factor of correction was used. T h e samples of soil were t a k e n with a I in. soil t u b e t o a depth of 3 f t . , every foot composing a separate sample. T h e samples were rubbed through a in. sieve a n d t h e soil thoroughly mixed b y rolling in a n oil cloth. T h e sample was t h e n quartered with a large spatula a n d two Too-gram samples weighed o u t . E a c h sample was obtained b y taking portions from opposite quarters. E a c h loo-gram saniple was rubbed with 500 cc. of water for 3 minutes in a mortar. After standing for 40 minutes t h e suspension was filtered in a Chamberland filter: jo cc. of t h e filtrate were t a k e n for analysis. This procedure gave two solutions from separate portions of a well mixed sample. T h e duplicates shown in Table I are determinations on these separate solutions a n d d o not represent determinations on different portions of t h e same solution. TABLEI-PARTS Plot D e p t h POI in No. F e e t duplicates 1 1 3.00 3 . 0 0 2 3
1
2
2 3 1 2 3 i 2 3
3 4
1
5
2 3
F . A. GANGLER
Received March 3, 1915
T h e colorimetric method for t h e determination of phosphorus suggested b y Veitch2 a n d perfected b y 1 This figure is t h e normal price quoted, b u t during t h e last two years the price has advanced rapidly because of poor fishing seasons. The catch in 1913 was only 60 t o 70 per cent of t h e normal, and figures available t h u s f a r f o r this year show- t h e catch t o be still lower. At the present time crude menhaden oil is scarce. and t h e little t h a t is obtainable brings from 37 t o 39 cents a gallon. If these prices were applied t o t h e above estimates, t h e profit would be increased greatly, b u t since t h e y are not normal, i t would be unfair t o make general statements based upon them J . .1.C . S., 26 (1903), 169.
619
3.00 3.00 5.00 3.50 2.50 2.50 2.50
1.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 0.75 1.00
3.00 3.50 4.50
4.00 2.50 2.50 2.50 1.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 0.75 1.25
F’ER
MILLIOKPO1 I X FILTRATES FROM SOILS
Plot D e p t h PO1 in S o . Feet duplicates 6 1 0 75 0 . 5 0 7 1 .OO 1 .00
5
1.25
1.25
i
1 2 3
2 00 2.50 2.00
2.50 2.00 2.00
8
I 2
2 50 200 2 00
3.00 2.50 2.00
7.50 2.50
2.50 2.00
3
9
1 2 3
Plot Depth POI in Feet duplicates
So. 10
II
?..io 2.50
1
2.50 2.50 2.50 1.25 1 1.25 i 1.50 1 0.50
1
12 1.3
14
3 1
-7 3 1 2 1
1 2 3
2.00 2.50 2.50 1.25 1.25 I .50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0,ij 0.75 0 . 0 0 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.50 0 50 1.00 L o n 1.25 1.25 1.2.i 1.25
From Table I i t would appear t h a t if sufficient care is given t o t h e purity of reagents a n d t o t h e measuring o u t of all reagents, determinations of small a m o u n t s of phosphorus m a y be made in soil extracts with considerable accuracy. AGROKOMYEXPERIMEST STATIOX K.\NSAS STATE A G R I C U L T L R ACOLLEGE L >f.INHATTAN . 1
. I . .1.C . S., 2 6 (1904). 1463.
~-
