Ammonia Substitutes as Fuel In Internal Combustion Engine
CHEMISTS Experienced chemists will welcome the creative university-like environment of our modern Astropower facility in Newport Beach, California. If you are interested in some of the most unique problems in chemistry, please consider the following:
ELECTROCHEMIST Ph.D. assignment involving the study of kinetics, electrodes, configurations, diffusion problems, and fuel cell electrolytes. Requires strong laboratory background and experience in kinetics or electrochemistry. Will report to the Project Manager.
INORGANIC CHEMIST Will lead a laboratory project for the investigation and formulation of inorganic ion exchange materials and membranes. Requires experience in research and development in the area of inorganic compounds. Experience in ion exchange and/or ion exchange membranes would also be of value. Please send your resume to Mr. E. N. Snodgrass
DOUGLAS,
Missile & Space Systems Division 2700 Ocean P a r k Blvd. Santa Monica, California An equal opportunity 54
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C&EN SEPT. 28, 1964
Ammonia has been used as fuel in a l V 2 - h p . internal combustion military engine for 35 hr. without a breakdown in tests at Fort Belvoir, Va. A part of the Army's Mobile Energy Depot ( M E D ) concept, the tests are being run to determine minimum engine modifications needed for operation on substitute fuels. Research workers at the U.S. Army Material Command's Engineering Research and Development Laboratory found that a 4:1 ratio (by volume) of ammonia to hydrogen, when burned with air, would start the engine and operate it at 3300 r.p.m. with about 80% of the power of gasoline. It was also found that by starting the engine on gasoline and operating it until it was warm, heat from the exhaust could be used to convert ammonia to hydrogen. At present, about a 7:1 ammonia-to-hydrogen mixture has been obtained from the conversion. The research workers hope to increase this ratio to 4:1 so that the engine can be self-operated on the ammonia-hydrogen mixture. Several modifications were necessary for the single-cylinder, air-cooled engine to work successfully on ammonia. The magnetQ ignition was replaced with a battery, and the distributor was modified to advance the spark 40°. Two other organizations are also developing the MED concept. The Army's Corps of Engineers is evolving methods of converting naturally occurring or readily available elements, such as hydrogen and nitrogen, into fuel. The Atomic Energy Commission is studying the use of nuclear power.
Lube Oil Additive Useful in Semiflexible Urethane Foam A copolymerized, mixed methacrylate material, usually used in crankcase lubricating oil as a pour point depressant and viscosity modifier, has found a use in controlling open-cell formation of semiflexible urethane foams. This discovery, made in the course of laboratory development work on semiflexible urethane foams, was discussed by P. G. Gemeinhardt of Mobay Chemical's research department (Pittsburgh, Pa.) at the Society of the Plastics Industry's international cellular plastics conference in New York, N.Y.
In general, as formulations are adjusted to produce varied rigidity or flexibility in foams, open cells are produced in flexible systems and closed cells in rigid systems. The experimental work on foams consisted of preparing semiflexible, one-shot foams from commercially available materials. These included polyether polyols, a polymeric polyisocyanate, organosilicone copolymer foaming stabilizers, combinations of tertiary amine and organotin catalysts, and a small amount of the polymethacrylate. Water reacting with the isocyanate produced carbon dioxide which acts as the blowing agent. An intermediate formulation producing semiflexible foam may tend to form stable closed cells leading to a large amount of foam shrinkage during cooling. However, the polymethacrylate material helps to overcome this problem, Mr. Gemeinhardt says. The polymethacrylate (Rohm & Haas Acryloid 710) has an average molecular weight of 560,000 and is a 35% solution in neutral oil. Concentrations of this material in the laboratory formulations to correct shrinkage were about 0.02% by weight. The neutral oil reduces the viscosity of the polymer, making it easier to handle. The neutral oil has no effect on the shrinking of the foams when used by itself, according to Mr. Gemeinhardt.
Programer Times Sequence of Process Variables An instrument for use in programing batch process operations for uninterrupted flow of uniformly processed products—or to meet requirements of a continuous process—has been developed by Taylor Instrument Co. The 420R Duration Event Controller (D.E.C.) programer times and programs, by means of slidable cams, the sequencing of such variables as temperature, pressure, mechanical motion, and electrical energy. According to the Rochester, N.Y., firm, the D.E.C. is arranged to program up to 12 electrical or pneumatic functions in sequential steps to a maximum of 29 steps. The timing of each step in a cycle is accomplished by sliding plastic cams to the appropriate numeral representing, digitally, the tens, units, and tenths of minutes desired on that step. Each step may have times ranging from 0.1 to 99.9 min. The step
YOU NET EXTRA
BENEFITS...
. . . WITH
GAFAC PHOSPHATE ESTERS IN EMULSION-POLYMERIZATION Three GAFAC-brand phosphate ester anionic surfactants are particularly valuable in. the emulsion-polymerization of various monomers, including vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate. These products — GAFAC PE-510, RE-610, and RE-960 — are not orUy highly efficient emulsifiers, but they also contribute important side benefits. Used as the primary emulsifier in acrylate systems, a GAFAC phosphate ester promotes
improvements in film properties, such as, 1) clarity, 2) light stability, 3) heat stability, 4) stable neutral pH, and 5) corrosion inhibition. In the polymerization of vinyl acetate, a GAFAC emulsifier can also substitute for the protective colloid at a considerable saving. Here too, the resulting latices have excellent emulsion properties plus greatly improved film characteristics. On the other hand, if the protective colloid is used in combination with GAFAC RE-610, it is possible to prepare stable polyvinyl acetate emulsions containing 55% solids and higher. The GAFAC surfactants are supplied as 100%active free acids that can be converted easily to a wide range of salts by mere addition of the proper base. GAFAC RE-610 and RE-960 are completely water soluble. GAFAC PE-510 is dispersible in water at room temperature and soluble at higher temperatures. Please return the coupon for information and samples.
*,.^v^ : I am interested in the use of GAFAC PE-510, RE-610, and R E - 9 6 0 for emulsion-polymerization. P l e a s e s e n d m e : • literature (TA-62-3) Q samples NAME
gaF
CHEMICALS
TITLE
GENERAL ANILINE & FILM CORPORATION 140 WEST 51st STREET • N E W YORK 10020 Charlotte • Chattanooga • Chicago • Houston • La Habra, Cal. • New York • Philadelphia • Portland. Ore. • Providence • San Francisco • In Canada: Chemical Developments of Canada Ltd.. Montreal • Toronto
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INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL SPECIALTIES
PROGRESS REPORT
These items have all been mentioned editorially in C&EN in the past month. If you haven't already sent for information on9 them, just check the appropriate key numbers on the coupon on page 60, and C&EN's Readers Information Service will forward your request to the manufacturer. Company Acheson Colloids Co. Port Huron, Mich. BASF Colors & Chemicals, Inc. New York, N.Y. Chemicals Division Union Carbide Corp. New York, N.Y. Du Pont Wilmington, Del. Freon Products Division Du Pont Wilmington, Del. Furane Plastics, Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. Furane Plastics, Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. Hercules Powder Co. Wilmington, Del. Metco, Inc. Westbury, N.Y. Norfolk Industries, Inc. Brockton, Mass. Rayonier, Inc. New York, N.Y. Shawinigan Resins Corp. Springfield, Mass.
Product Lubricant ("dag" 214) Copolymer (VinoflexMP400) Thermoplastic (Radel)
C 68 C 69 C 70
Fabric fluoridizer (Zepel) Fluorocarbon (Freon E 3)
C 71
Adhesive (Epibond 8083) Polyurethane foam (Uralane 1723) Adhesives resin (Resin S994) Flame-spray powders (Metco 70C-NS) Adhesive (Coldset SG-100) Stabilizer (Rayplex) Emulsion (Resin D-197)
C 73
C 72
C 74 C 75 C 76 C 77 C 78 C 79
Available in commercial quantities unless otherwise
time is an independent variable. Therefore, a change of the time in a particular step doesn't affect the time settings in the other steps in the total cycle or program, Taylor Instrument says. Timing control is accomplished by means of a coded switching arrangement between a time program drum and a synchronously driven timing generator. The arrangement develops an electrical pulse every 0.1 min. and responds to this pulse when the programed time is reached. No tools are required to set either the timing or programing operators as are necessary in latch-type program ers. One typical use of the preset, camoperated programer is in tire manufacturing. Mold curing of tires requires sequential admission of air, steam, hot water, and cooling water to the molds at precisely timed intervals. The D.E.C. programer has been used to control this cycle with repeatable accuracy of less than 0.5 sec. error per step. E 30 56
C & E N SEPT. 28, 1964
Features Molybdenum disulfide solid film lubricant for metal contact surfaces For use as chemical- and weather-resistant coating Water-soluble, heat-sealable plastic made of polyethylene oxide For stain-resistant finish on upholstery fabric For use as a dielectric coolant or as a hydraulic fluid at low temperatures For use on uncleaned steel and aluminum surfaces Slow reaction time permits easy mixing and pouring Compatible with natural and synthetic rubbers for hot-melt applications Chromium carbide powders for use at temperatures above 1000° F. Polyvinyl acetate emulsion for cardboard carton forming For agricultural use (mineral-deficient soils) or as trace metal scavenger Dextrin-compatible resin for producing remoistenable adhesives
noted.
NEW EQUIPMENT
Double-beam instrumentation in the vacuum ultraviolet range is possible
The output data of a spectrophotometer are converted to digital computer language by a system developed by Datex Corp., of Monrovia, Calif. The system, called SDS-1 Spectrophotometer Data Recording System, provides eight modes of operation ranging from semiautomatic to fully automatic form. The SDS-1 digitizes and then records output data such as wave length, transmittance, absorption, or reflection values. E31
through an attachment available from McPherson Instrument Corp., of Acton, Mass. With a Model 65 doublebeam attachment, gas absorption studies can be made in the 1100 to 3000 A. range, the company says. E 33
An integrating and time base unit, the ND-180ITB, which allows standard Nuclear Data analyzers to be used as multiscaler or signal averaging computers, is available from Nuclear Data, Inc., of Palatine, 111. The unit is capable of multichannel scaling for events as a function of time or velocity, and signal averaging for the enhancement of signal-to-noise ratios, Nuclear Data says. E 32
A pipetting gun which can be set to dispense liquids at volumes from 2 to 30 cc. is manufactured by Manostat Corp. (New York, N.Y.). According to the company, each depression of the plunger dispenses the preset amount of liquid with an accuracy of ±1%. E34
An infrared thermometer (900° to 2200° F.) is offered by Huggins Laboratories, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif. The radiation thermometer, Infrascope Mark II, is battery operated, lightweight, and works without contact, according to the company. E 35
What If They Took Away Your Signature?
What if everything you did went unsigned, unnamed, unidentified? It might be bad. Or it might be good. It depends on what kind of person you are. If you don't believe your product or service is anjf better than the next man's, there's no point in identifying it. It could even be dangerous! But if you're genuinely proud of your work, chances are that you want the world to know you did it. You and no one else. That's how brand names began. Proud artisans painted, stamped or engraved their work with an identifying mark. Later, to insure an acceptable standard of quality, the craft guilds required each member to affix the guild mark to each item produced. But really good craftsmen still wanted individual recognition. So each combined his mark with that of the guild. The resultant "hallmarks" were of value to both buyer and seller. The buyer, in his quest for quality, needed only to look for wares with the mark of a trusted craftsman. The seller, if his wares represented an exceptional value, was assured of repeat business. Today, brand names serve somewhat the same purpose hallmarks once did. One of the products in the
Cyanamid family of companies serves as an example: A number of years ago, a man by the name of John H. Breck had a hair problem. Unable to find any satisfactory preparations to help his condition, he formulated some himself. They were so effective that they became quite popular. And to make sure that customers got the right products, John Breck simply named them after himself. Today, because of their consistently high quality, Breck® hair preparations are more popular than ever. (Identifying the maker of a product gives the consumer this advant a g e , too: if you don't like the product, you know where to complain. And if you've ever written a letter of complaint to a responsible company, you know how seriously these are taken.) An interesting extension of the way in which brand names serve consumers can be seen in Melmac® quality melamine dinnerware and in apparel, carpets and draperies made of Creslan® acrylic fiber. The finished products are actually made by other companies. Cyanamid authorizes them to use the Melmac® and Creslan® labels only if the end-products meet or exceed quality standards
CYANAMID AMERICAN CYANAMID COMPANY WAYNE, NEW JERSEY
set up and supervised by Cyanamid. It's simply one more way of insuring the quality of the consumer's purchase... and our own reputation. At Cyanamid and its subsidiaries, we're convinced that brand names are useful in helping people get the products with the features they want. The number of people who buy and come back for Breck®, Creslan®, Melmac®—and other important products such as Formica® laminated plastic—indicates that the consumer has a definite opinion of what suits him best. But perhaps the best argument for brand names is your own experience. How willing would you be to accept a substitute for your favorite automobile? Or brand of coffee? Or author, for that matter? And when it comes to an area like medicine—where life is often at stake—we depend even more on a trusted brand name. This is one reason our Lederle Laboratories division believes: "There is no generic substitute for a Lederle drug." It is part of Cyanamid's philosophy: There is no generic substitute for individual pride. Or for individual responsibility. Or for the quality and value they generate. That's what we build into our products. That's why we sign them.
purity,
service,
now, a 100-million pound VA plant (what more can we add to our monomers?)
Our acrylates are 99.5% pure . , . the result of a unique Celanese beta-propiolactone process. And this higher quality costs you not a penny more. What's more, we don't stint on service. Like technical assistance on polymerization . . . combination shipments of acrylate monomers (methyl, ethyl, butyl or 2-ethylhexyl) . . , combinations of acrylates and solvents. We're rather big in acrylic acid and vinyl acetate, too. In fact, our new vinyl acetate plant,, one of the world's 58
C&EN
largest, will be on-stream early In '65, So try us for product and service. Write Celanese Chemical Company, Dept. 754-1, 522 Fifth Avenue, New York 36, N. Y. Celanese® Celanese Chemical Company is a division of Celanese Corporation of America. Canadian Affiliate: Canadian Chemical Company, a division of Chemcelf, Limited. Export Sales: Amcel Co., Inc., and Pan Amcel Co., Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New York 36..
Celanese CHEMICAL
COMPANY
NEW CHEMICALS A low-temperature, nonlocking, heatseal adhesive, called Rubbatherm, has been developed by Rubba, Inc. (New York, N.Y.). Rubbatherm is a packaging adhesive which heat seals at 180° to 250° F. It is available in 55-gal. drums, 5-gal. and 1-gal. containers. The adhesive comes in a variety of viscosities suitable for application by spray, brush, roller coater, machine, or doctor blade. C 60
A low-density epoxy potting compound, Compound 69, has been developed by Bacon Industries, Inc. According to the Watertown, Mass., firm, the epoxy potting product offers the following advantages—low density, nonsettling during cure, easily de-
gassed, low viscosity, and improved impact strength. Its color after curing is off-white, and pot life at 160° F. is three hours. C 61
Two compounds with ultraviolet absorption properties are available in commercial quantities from GallardSchlesinger Chemical Mfg. Corp., Long Island, N.Y. The compounds are phenylbenzimidazole (soluble in alcohol and fatty acids) and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (soluble in water). Both compounds have a minimum purity of 99.8%. C 62
N.J., company, the technical-grade deuterium will be supplied at a price as low as 48 cents per liter in large cylinders. Deuterium was formerly available from Matheson only as a high-purity research gas. C 63
Bromotrichloromethane, a reactive chemical intermediate, is offered in semicommercial quantities by Michigan Chemical Corp., Saint Louis, Mich. Bromotrichloromethane reacts with a variety of olefinic compounds and with some acetylenic compounds. It can be used for adding the trichloromethyl group in the terminal position, the company says. C 64
A technical grade of deuterium, with a minimum purity of 98.0% (atom), is manufactured by Matheson Co., Inc. According to the East Rutherford,
September 28, 1964
Methyl fluoride, CH 3 F, is available in research quantities from Matheson Co., Inc., East Rutherford, N.J. The methyl fluoride is being supplied at 99.0% purity with a cylinder pressure of 538 p.s.i.g. and specific volume of 11.3 cu. ft. per pound. C 65
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Sticking of molten materials to handling equipment can be prevented by the use of Metco 404, according to Metco, Inc., Westbury, N.Y. Metco 404 nickel aluminide consists of a powder of aluminum grains, each covered with a nickel jacket. It can be applied to aluminum, nitrided and hardened steels, carbon and stainless steels, hard graphites, niobium, tantalum, and titanium with either Thermo spray or plasma-flame equipment. C66
An immersion-type phosphatizing compound designed to produce an iron-manganese phosphate coating on metal parts has been developed by Pennsalt Chemicals Corp. The compound, called Fosbond 91, produces a coating with a uniform crystalline structure which is nonmetallic and highly absorptive, the Philadelphia, Pa., firm says. The coating, coupled with oil, reduces wear of friction surfaces such as piston rings, camshafts, and differential gears. C 67
Further information on keyed Equipment and Chemical items is readily available . . .
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1964 C&EN
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