perience with it, but the types of prob lems that can be attacked advanta geously can b e predicted. Jn chemical and petroleum process research and design many approximations are neces sary—chiefly because the differential equations that can b e written for a given problem cannot be solved with any economically feasible expenditure of man-hours. Now, many of these approximations will not be needed a n d designs which are closer to the opti mum can be produced. A reduction in the number of pilot plant runs required for a given range and accuracy of design is also p r e dicted. Statistical correlations t h a t previously would have been prohibi tive should make this possible. In oil field research, the 704 will permit the ready solution of complex systems of simultaneous equations d e scribing the flow of oil, water, and gas in reservoirs. This will permit better predictions of oil field performance a n d aid in the choice of optimum produc The first problean finishes its run through printer at Standard Oil of California's tion schedules. computer cente=r IBM 704 installation, as J. B. John (left); W. A. Raatz, • Blending a n d Balances. Stand California Research Corp.; B. A. Rosenblatt, Standard; J . H. Rogers, IBM; and ard's manufacturing department ex R. D. McKznigrnt, Standard, look on. Initially the computer will be used only pects extensive use of the computation part-time on a one-shift basis, b u t eventually will go into three-shift operation center for solving blending and process problems and computing stock bal ances. For example, a specific grade of gasoline may be made by blending 30 or more stocks. Given the quan tity of each stock on hand and t h e quantity of finished gasoline estimated for one month's production, there are Standard Oil of California installs industry's first a very large number of possible blends which will give a specification product. IBM 704 for research into petroleum problems Which of these is the lowest cost? Manual computation might require most of the month, while the 704 can .LATE LASX MONTH Standard Oil of For research purposes, on t h e other California unveiled its new computing hand, a small amount of data can re do the job in 15 minutes. Basically, Standard expects the com center. In a 1500-square-foot, air c o n quire a tremendous amount of compu putation center to b e of assistance in ditioned room on the top floor of its tation and the output may b e as little finding and producing more oil and in San Francisco home office, officials of as a single line. transporting, refining, and distributing the company r>roudly introduced their The statistics of the IBM 704 are newest research* tool—an IBM 704 com stag t ering. It 'has a magnetic core it more economically. As with most other IBM equipment, puter. Although some 70 of these h i g h memory with ΙοΟ,ΟΟΟ cores; eight mag the 704 is available only on a rental capacity digital computers are in opexa- netic tape storage units, each with a tion, all or alrmost all of them are e n tape speed of 7 5 inches per second; a basis. To start with, Standard has con gaged in defense work. Standard's in master control unit; two printers; and a tracted for the use of the machine one stallation is strictly a private industry punched card output. All this, with shift per day, five days per week at an one and, according t o Standard, is f:he the attendant power supply and acces annual rental of $430,000. This in only one of its kind in the petroleum sory equipment, comfortably fills the cludes the services of four IBM m e n during operation. Initially, Standard industry. machine room. A 50-ton air condition The 704 is a research instrument, n o t ing unit is needed to keep the room will utilize the computer about one an accounting machine. The differ cool since the heat dissipation is over half of the time and will sell computer time back to the IBM Service Center. ence lies mainly in the balance b e t w e e n 300,000 B.t.u per hour. As more technicians are trained, utiliza input, output, storage, and computer • Time and Accuracy. In what areas tion will increase to a full one-shift units. For accounting purposes a of research WLH this powerful tool be large mass of c3ata must be fed in a n d used? Company officials point out that basis in about a year, and three-shift a large output obtained from a rela this question cannot be completely an operation is anticipated in the relatively Β tively small azmount of computation. swered until they have had more ex near future.
INDUSTRY
Computer for Petroleum Research
96
C&E Ν
SEPT.
2,
; 9 57
