•
EQUIPMENT
Save Time in Oxygen Analysis O x y g e n in metals can be determined more quickly by new Leco technique, avoiding use of vacuum .LABORATORY UNITS for accurately de-
termining the oxygen content of metals by fusion techniques have been on t h e market for at least 20 years. Almost all of this equipment, however, requires high vacuum. This, in turn, means t h e use of special vacuum pumps, gages, seals, cold traps. T h e method sometimes gets pretty slow and laborious. Laboratory Equipment Corp. ( L e c o ) , of St. Joseph, Mich., has just brought out a new oxygen analyzer t h a t it says does t h e same job as t h e older equipment—but there's no vacuum. Analyses a r e run at slightly above atmospheric pressure, with all the ease and simplicity associated with this type of operation. Older types of equipment resorted to use of vacuum because it increased the accuracy in determining carbon dioxide. T h e oxygen in the sample was converted to carbon dioxide, and t h e amount determined by measuring pressure changes in the gas phase. In t h e Leco setup, t h e amount of carbon dioxide is found by first letting the gas react with barium hydroxide and then using a sensitive conductometric technique that doesn't require vacuum. The new analyzer has a sensitivity of 0.0002 c/c oxygen. In a I-gram sample, it can measure u p to 3 % oxygen. This range, of course, can b e readily extended b y use of fractional weight samples. Analysis takes five minutes. Vacuum fusion determinations, on the other hand, generally take anywhere from a half hour to a n hour. As Leco points out, t h e biggest single advantage of t h e new method is its speed. The unit is expected to be used mainly by steel companies and by manufacturers of titanium, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, cobalt, a n d ether metals. Determining just exactly how much oxygen is present in these metals is often essential since very small variations in oxygen content can have a profound effect on their physical properties. 76
C&EN
FEB. 2 4, 1958
• How Process Works. In the Leco method, the sample, usually a 1 / 4 -inch metal cube or smaller, is first cleaned to remove corrosion products. It is then washed with a solvent to remove organic matter. Next, it is placed in a graphite crucible mounted in a reaction tube. The system is purged of oxygen with an inert gas previously purified in an oxygen absorber. By means of a high frequency induction furnace, t h e sample is melted by heating to anywhere from about 3500° to 4500° F . At these temperatures, the combined and free oxygen, in contact with the carbon crucible, is converted to carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide, swept along b y inert gas, is oxidized to carbon dioxide by contact with a solid chemical catalyst. All of the carbon dioxide is absorbed in a barium hydroxide cell. T h e resulting change in t h e conductivity of the cell, determined b y a modified Wheatstone bridge, is a measure of the oxygen originally present in the sample. Generally, the barium hydroxide in t h e conductivity cell is replaced after each analysis, b u t this is not absolutely necessary. As many as 20 samples have been analyzed without opening the system to introduce a new cmeible. This is possible because of a special airlock. The complete equipment consists of three units—an inert gas purification unit, a high frequency induction furnace, and a conductometric analyzer. Of these, the analyzer is the only unit that Leco has made previously. Cost of the entire assembly: $4790. I1
air pollution control. The new device, says Koppers, controls t h e corona discharge o n t h e energizing electrodes of electrostatic precipitators, thus increases their efficiency. Koppers sees two possibilities for » the new electrode so far: • In existing equipment, t h e electrodes c a n take a power increase a n d give higher efficiency. Thus the equipment c a n operate beyond original d e sign capacity. • I n n e w designs, smaller precipitators can handle dust loadings a n d gas volumes that would have required larger units previously.
Here's how i t works. Koppers explains t h a t solid particles in gases passing through precipitator "fields" get a negative charge from wire energizing electrodes and are then attracted t o grounded collecting plates. T h e efficiency of the unit is in direct proportion to t h e power than can b e introduced into t h e energizing electrodes without ""flash-over" to the collecting plates. Collected material tends t o build up on t h e surface of these plates and, in o r d e r to minimize its insulating effect, is dislodged by frequent, automatic rapping of t h e plates. However, collected material tends to build t i p on t h e wire energizing electrodes, too. And here, says Koppers» the insulating effect tends to produce an unpredictable and uncontrolled pattern in t h e corona discharge which is the key t o precipitating action. Greater concentrations of corona on clean sections of t h e wire tend to produce a t these points a quicker "flash-over" i n relation t o the applied power. Even though tlie electrodes are also rapped, Koppers adds, n o way had been found to prevent uneven accumulation of dust, h e n c e a n uncontrolled corona discharge. For tlie conventional straight-wire energizer, Koppers substitutes an electrode t h a t closely resembles ordinary barbed wire. Its tests show that, whatever insulating material may build u p on the main wire, the barb points stay clean, a n d the corona discharge, thereoccurs constantly at those points. Barbed Device Cleans Gas fore, Furthermore, b y proper spacing of Koppers' new electrode de- these barbs, t h e company claims, you sign ups efficiency of elec- can control t h e corona discharge throughout the entire precipitator. trostatic precipitators With this control, Koppers says, t h e electrodes can take greater power than A F T E R A YEAR O F TESTING, Koppers This leads t o is now going into production of a new conventional wires. type of electrode that promises to b e higher dust-collecting efficiency witha boon to industrial gas cleaning and out enlarging t h e equipment.
What's up in closures?
PEANUT BUTTER
Plastisol Cap Liners made with Low Cost
CITROLEX A-4Plasticizer φ A good j a r can d o its job only if the lid offers the same protection a s the glass. That means that the sealing ring and liner inside the lid must w o r k efficiently and at the same time be odor-free... non t o x i c . . . completely harmless t o both fatty a n d non-fatty food contents. Nothing meets these requirements bet ter than vinyl plastisol liners made with safe, low-cost Citroflex® A-4 plasticizer. Citroflex A-4 also finds excellent use in plasticizing vinyls for coating food con tainers and for producing food wrap films. Citroflex A-2, a companion prod uct, is a nontoxic, odorless plasticizer for
are Nontoxic...Odor-Free!
cellulose acetate food wraps for both fatty a n d non-fatty foods. Both Citroflex A-2 a n d A-4 are accepted by the Food a n d D r u g Administration. Your Pfizer representative will be glad t o explain how Citroflex plasticizers can serve your needs. Costs of these citric acid esters a r e re markably low, compared t o other non toxic plasticizers. Besides A-2 a n d A-4, the Pfizer Citroflex line includes Citroflex 2 (Triethyl Citrate), Citroflex 4 (Tributyi Citrate) and Citroflex A-8 (Acetyl Tri-2Ethylhexyl Citrate). Check into the Pfizer Citroflex plasticizers today.
Manufacturing Chemhts : for Over 100 Years
Pfizer CHAS. PFIZER & CO., INC. Chemical Sales Division 630 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn 6, ΝΎ. Branch Offices: Chicago, III.; San Francisco* Calif.; Vernon, Calif,; Atlanta, Ga.; Dallas, Texas
FEB. 2 4,
1958 C&EN
77
M m / in • ΛΐΐΓ ****; ? ι r ,«^ιι *> h* -JI •• ι
Automatic Recording AnalyticalBalance Opens New Fields of Research and Control.. . • thermag ravi metric analysis m investigationof EVAPORATION, ABSORPTION, CORROSION, O X I D A T I O N , D E C O M P O S I T I O N . . . and other reactions in v/hich we/ghf-vs-f/me or weight-vs-temperature (or other factor) issignificant.
Ainsworih
Type AU-I Recorder
Type BR AnalyticalBalance Ainsworth
S e e it an Display · This new Record-A-Weigh will be on exhibit at the Pittsburgh Conference » March and the Pacific Chemical Exposition in San Francisco in April.
W M I , ANNSIWOKTTH & Soi%iS;.iinc.' "215 1 L A W R E N C E S T f E E T
. , DENVER; 5 ,; COLORADO
WRITE FOR
BULLETIN 1 5 8
EQUIPMENT T h e company carried o u t its tests in a major U. S. steel plant, at a p o w e r generating plant in England, a n d in cement plants in Germany and H o n g kong. Ε2
AiNSWORTH
RECORD-A-WEIGH Shows Instantaneous Weight and of Change
Kate
This new laboratory instrument com bines the range and accuracy of the Ainsworth Analytical Balance with a continuous record and automatic operation. Records weight changes for long or short periods on a chart 1 1 " wide representing 110 mg. Accuracy and readability are plus or minus 1/10 mg. Capacity 200 grams.
• N e w work clothing, introduced b y Chrysler Textiles, can withstand harm ful effects of such chemicals as sulfuric, hydrochloric, a n d chromic acid, sodium hydroxide, other alkalies, and salts. T h e garments also take rugged wear a n d will u n d e r g o frequent industrial launderings, t h e company says. Ε3 • Roofing compound, developed b y Panther, increases the strength of roof ing paper by 33Vc and, if used with Glasweb, it increases t h e paper strength by 112%, says the company. The Mightyplate c o m p o u n d can be applied by a brush a n d trowel directly from t h e container. Ε 4 • N e w p i g m e n t , introduced by Preci sion T h e r m o m e t e r & Instrument, is recommended for permanent graduated thermometer markings. Stazon mark ings will resist sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, water, a n d steam, says the company. Ε5
Processing . . . Automatically adds or subtracts weights as required to rescale re corder pen. Range of automatically controlled weights is 4 grams. This is 40 chart widths—and the record ing is linear ail the way. Samples can be placed on the balance pan or suspended in a controlled environment, above or below the balance.
Research anddevelopment of new instruments like this, are made possible by your purchase of products
"MADE
IN
U.S.A.'*
WM. AINSWORTH & SONS, INC.
• G e m m e irradiator, now manufac tured b y Atomic E n e r g y of C a n a d a , gives dose rates exceeding 1,000,000 roentgens p e r hr. inside a 220 cu. in. chamber. T h e Gammacell 220 weighs 7000 l b . a n d occupies a floor area of 16 sq. ft. with a maximum height of 7 6 in. i 6 • Drill rigs, developed b y Carpco Mfg., a r e designed for exploration of beach sand mineral deposits. Model D R 1500, t h e scout drilling rig, conies on a I V 2 ton, 4 X 4 truck, has a 1 5 ft. 9 in. light weight boom, and a 125-gal. water tank. Model D R 165, t h e pilot drill rig, is a skid m o u n t e d unit which can be set on a 6 X 6 truck, h a s a n 18-ft. boom, a n d a 180-gal. water tank. I 7 • Steam-hydraulic jet cleaner, intro d u c e d b y Clayton Mfg. and Sellers In jector, is designed for use in heavy d u t y cleaning jobs in marine, petroleum, air craft, a n d similar industries. As a steam cleaner, Model CS 628 produces 2 8 0
gal. p e r hr. a t 90 to 100 p.s.i. As a hydraulically operated cleaner, it de livers 500 to 600 gal. per hr. at 220 p.s.i. u p to 210° F., using a V-i-hp. motor. 18 • Inspection labels, developed by F e e Cee T a p e & Label, are self-adhesive, will stick to a n y clean, dry surface, a n d are impossible to remove in one piece, making t h e m tamper-proof, the com pany says. 19 • Floor surface, available from Plant Maintenance, combines a blended, aircured resin with glass fiber reinforcing to give a surface that resists most com mon acids. Poly-Rock F G - 7 7 7 is not affected b y ou, grease, gasoline, sol vents, and will withstand tons of roll ing traffic without cracking or spalling, the company says. Ε 10 • Fume washer, now manufactured by Line-O-Coat, is m a d e of corrosion-re sistant, glass fiber-reinforced polyester and designed to remove acid-laden va pors a n d plating fumes from air ex hausts. Ill • Water-driven tank cleaner, intro duced by Sellers Injector, is designed for marine or industrial service, uses available p u m p s and lines to drive its jets in a spherical pattern, scrubbing the inner surface of tanks with cold or hot w a t e r u p to 176° F. T h e unit dis charges u p t o 9400 gal. p e r hr. through its t w o revol\yng jets, w h i c h have an effective cleaning range of 5 0 ft. each, the company says. f 12 • Hot stamping machine, now pro d u c e d b y Acromark, h a s a simpler, more powerful air pressure system, n e w safety features, improved thermostat, greater h e a t capacity in the die h e a d , plus other improvements. Model 250 is readily a d a p t a b l e for hot stamping almost any plastic, painted metal, or wood product that can b e contained within a 6 b y 8 in. area, says the com pany, i 13
Fluid Handling · · · • N e w couplings, manufactured by Metron Instrument, will transmit torques u p t o 150 oz.-in., permit speeds u p to 10,000 r.p.m., minimize backlash, provide torsional rigidity, and operate over a t e m p e r a t u r e range of —10° to 250° F . Metro-Flex couplings will handle: ( 1 ) angular misalignment of
SVNTRON
EQUIPMENT
"Vibra-F/ow"
VIBRATORY FEEDERS
shafts u p to 5 ° , ( 2 ) parallel offset t o 0.010 in., and ( 3 ) axial end play up to 0.090 in., the company says. Sizes of fered a r e for s / « r . V 4 -, Vie-» and V e in, shafts. Ε 14 • Pipe a n d t u b e handling equipment,
now manufactured by Leo Reel-Protolift, is produced in five to 3 1 joint units to accommodate all pipe sizes. Over 1300 joints per hour can b e transferred from barge to rail car by one operator and two helpers, company says. 115 ί Liquid metal pump, developed by Westinghouse, is designed to circulate liquid metals through the hermetically sealed system of nuclear power plants, can be supplied in capacities from 150 to 500C) gal. per min. for operating temperatures u p to 1600° F., says the company. Ε 16
feeding cornmeal snacks to net-weigher
provide a smooth, even flow of bulk materials at finger-tip controlled rates SYNTRON "Vibra-Flow" Vibratory Feeders fill the gap between storage and processing. They provide a smooth, even flow of bulk materials—hot or cold, dry or damp, from powders to chucks—to mixers, batchers, driers and other processing equipment. And, the flow rate is instantly adjustable, from minimum to maximum to meet production schedule changes. There is a type and model SYNTRON Feeder for each o f your problems or needs. The variety of sizes and styles range from Light Tonnage Feeders with capacities from one to ten tons per hour t o Heavy Tonnage Feeders with capac ities up to hundreds of tons per hour, with flat pan, tubular a n d many other types of troughs. Available with electromagnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic drives. Investigate the production possibilities with SYNTRON Vibratory Feeders in your operation. Send us the details of your problem—our application engineers will be glad to submit recommendations. CH258
Products of Proven Dependable Quality
Other SYNTRON Equipment designed to increase production, cut production costs, improve products Vibrators Rectifiers
Call your nearest Syntron representative. information write tor complete catalog » ·
7*l€C
SYNTRON COMPANY 416 80
Lexington
C&EN
FEB.
24,
Avenue 195 8
Homer
• High pressure pump, now made by Lear, Inc., is designed for low flow and high pressure. The unit is intended to p u m p distilled water but will handle corrosive fluids as well as hydraulic and lubricating oils, t h e company says. Rated capacity is 1 gal. per min. (mini mum) with a 3000 p.s.i. discharge pres sure ( p u m p i n g distilled w a t e r ) , with fluid temperatures from 60° to 196° F . T h e dutv cvcle is 1 min. on and 5 min. off. " i!8
Instruments · · ·
(bins, hoppers, chutes) (Silicon and Selenium) Vibratory Feeders a-c to d-c Selenium Rectifier Units Vibratory Screens Electric Heating Panels Shaker Conveyors Electric Heating Elements Vibratory Elevator Feeders Sinuated Wires Weigh Feeders Shaft Seals Packers and Jolters Electric Hammers Hopper Feeders Concrete Vibrators Paper Joggers Lapping Machines Our representatives 'will be g l a d to work with you In selecting the proper equipment for your operation.
|por more
• New plastic diaphragm valve from Hills-McCanna will operate at 300° F . and resists chemicals about like glass. It's stable dimensionally, may be used with both plastic and metal piping. Sizes: \ 2 through 2 in. 117
CityvPenna.
ί Annunciator systems, now available from Tigerman Engineering, have 100 f/e mercury relay contactors, require no heimetic sealing, and can supply operational sequences heretofore re quiring complex relaying components, the company says. 11° • Potentiometers, n o w available from Bristol, are furnished with standardized, interchangeable slidewires and calibra tion resistors. This allows t h e range on a recorder or controller to be changed quickly if the instrument ap plication is shifted, says Bristol. Ε 20 • Digital printer, n o w made b y Potter Instrument, can print more than 400
EQUIPMENT
digits or characters per second. T h e Model 3260 can be supplied with u p to 40 columns of numeric o r alphanumeric characters and can print 20 lines per second for alphanurnerical applications, says Potter. Ε 21
number of units produced a t predeter mined intervals. Tally-Print is avail able in four- and five-digit printers, has standard print-out intervals of 5, 15, 30, and 60 min., and will record up to 300 impulses p e r min. E 28
• New p r e s s u r e g a g e , "by Bristol, uses a 3-in. strip chart and has an inter changeable recording chassis which can be plugged in without t h e use of tools. T h e gages are offered in ranges from 0 to 3 u p to 0 to 60 p.s.i. * 22
• New t o g g l e switches, from Minneap olis-Honeywell, feature an integrally designed level lock requiring a 0.090in. pull to change level positions. T h e T L series is designed for aircraft, mo bile, marine, and electronic use. Switches come in 11 toggle-locking p o sitions, single-pole, double-pole, and four-pole circuits, and are rated at 20 amps., 30 v. d . c , resistive load. Ε 29
• N e w capacitance probe tester, by
Consolidated Airborne Systems, is used for servicing and trouble-shooting liquid quantity gage systems which employ capacitance type sensing probes. The capacitance range is from 0 to 5000 micromicrofarads, in four scale ranges. T h e resistance range is from 0 to 10,000 megohms, in four scale ranges. Accuracy is 0.25% of full scale. 123
• Industrial t h e r m a l conductivity gas a n a l y z e r , available from Beckman,
continuously monitors o n e constituent in a wide variety of eonubination gases. The unit has a cell response time of 30 sec. for 9595- of change a t sample flow rates of 2 5 0 cc. per min., the com pany says. T h e instrument c a n be had with explosion-proofing t o meet Divi sion 1, Class I , Group D requirements, according to Beckman. Ε 30 r Pneumatic r e l a y s , types VRR-ratio and VMR-multiplying, a r e n o w avail able from Republic Flow Meters. Type VRR is for controlling a proportional relationship between t w o pneumatic signals when that relationship must be changed periodically. Type VMR is for controlling a proportional relation(Continued
on page
132)
February 24, 1 9 5 8
• N e w transistorized servomechanism,
Readers' Information Service
by Advanced Research Associates, pro vides a displacement output related to a low voltage input. Electric servo power from instrument class up to sev eral hundred foot-pounds of output torque in a small, self-contained unit is possible without using relays, says the company. * 24
Use this h a n d y self mailer to obtain further information or literature* Simply mark, clip coupon, fold, and mail Every week C&EN's editors survey a large volume of valuable scien tific, technical, and business information Issued in the form of product announcements, booklets, catalogs, d a t a sheets, etc. This material is digested and presented in several departments. For your conven ience this coupon is provided to facilitate requests for further informa tion on these items as well as on products and services mentioned in advertisements.
r Constant v o l t a g e reference supply,
available from Performance Measure ments, is intended to replace No. 6 dry cells in instruments a n d controls. The unit provides an output of 1.5 v. at 6 ma., with 1/49fc stability over input voltage variations from 108 to 125, the company says. Besides t h e 6-ma. rat ing, modified supplies are available for other instrument requirements. i 25 • Plug-in s c a l e r / r a t e m e t e r , by Nuclear Electronics, combines several instru ments into one. Pulse amplifier, or linear amplifier and single channel analyzer are available for input sec tion. T h e counting unit can b e either a decade scaler or ratemeter with aural monitor. 1 26 • New t h e r m o m e t e r , manufactured by W . C. Dillon, has a head diameter of I 1 Vie m · ^ d is suited for installation where mounting space is limited. The Model G is available in 11 ranges from 0° to 1000° F . , m a d e entirely of stain less steel, and can h e supplied with a stem length from 2 V 2 to 7 2 in. 127
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(Situations Wanted, Continued) F I E L D SALES—MARKET D E V E L O P M E N T : Six years experience both inside a n d field sales ethylene oxide and derivatives, chlorulkali and related products. Know national chemical markets and allied industries. Desire direct sales or market development position having growth potential. Southwest preferred. Consider other locations. B.S. chemistry 1943. Box 313-J-2, C. et Ε. Ν . , E a s t on, P a . PHYSICAL C H E M I s f l M.S., age 36, nine years R & D experience. Petrochemicals, ©rganometallics, nitrogen compounds, catalysis, and kinetics. Management experience. Patents. Box 314-1,-2, C. & Ε. Ν., Easton, Pa. ""ANALYTICAL " C H E M I S T : B.A., graduate work, industrial experience, 25, veteran. Has knowledge of instrumental analysis. Desires posi tion within commuting distance from Metropoli tan New York. Box 313-L-2, C. & Ε . Ν., Easton, Pa. V E R S A T I L E CHEMIST" Ε Ν ϋ I X E E R : Ph.D. 1946. wide background experience including labo ratory synthesis, pilot plant, commercial opera tic*!*, technical field service, commercial develop ment, world travel, fluent Spanish, Italian, age 36, Amcriran, will relocate. Emphasis on petroleum piuducts. chemicals, intermediates. Three yea is refinery experience. St*eks opportunity in small or medium size company. Avaduble immediately. Will travel. Box 312-L·-!. C. & Ε. Ν., Easton, Pa. L A M 1 X A T E S S P E C I A L I S T : A g e 47, P r a t t Institute, 1031, chemistry. 9 years general plas tics, 12 years fibrous glass laminates. Aircraft, missiles, automotive, housing, boats. Press mold ing, autoclave, vacuum. TPolyesters, phenqlics, epoxies, silicones. Department h e a d , supervisor, research and development, process control. P a t ents, papers, editing, speaking. Security prime requisite. Box 311-L-2, C. & Ε. Ν., Easton, Pa. U N U S T A L C H E M I S T : B~â 1950, age"~27, family. îSix years technical-supervisory capacity nuclear field: radiation chemistry, "hot l a b " ; corrosion ; inorganic, analytical. Oesire permanent position with increased responsibilities. Box 309-L-2, C. & Ε . Ν., Easton, Pa. C H E M I C A L E N G I N E E R , age 26, married. Four years experience process development, piant engineering, plant startup and production includ ing supervision. Seeks responsible position in production supervision or project engineering. Prefer coastal or foreign location. Box 324-J-2, C . & Ε. N.» Easton, P a . C H E M I S T : B.S., M.A., 28, married, permanent resident, perfect French. 3 years teaching and research experience. G r a d u a t e hours in analytical and instrumental chemistry, X - r a y diffraction, mathematics. Available immediately. Box 328-J-2, C . & E. N.» Easton, Psu O R G A N I C C H E M I S T : P h . D . Age 33. 4V2 years experience in organic synthesis, shale oil chemistry, and solvent extraction of metallic ions, especially uranium, with organic extractants. Honor societies, A.E.C. " Q " clearance, married, veteran. Prefer New York-New Jersey metro)litan area, b u t will relocate, ox 327-J-2, C . & Ε. Ν . , Easton, P a .
f
B I O C H E M I S T : P h . D . Desires research position. T w o years postdoctoral experience in enzyme chemistry and reaction mechanisms. E x perience also in organic synthesis and microbi ology. Publications. Age 29. Single. Prefer * metropolitan area. Available July, 1958. Box 333-J-2, C . & Ε. Ν . , Easton, P a . C H E M I S T — E N G I N E E R : B.S., 1941. Seven years diversified experience in standard a n d pres surized packaging. Production operations, fonrmlation development, package evaluation. Lab oratory administration and technical service in package components. Formerly production and maintenance supervision in fermentation industry. Family. Now m Chicago area. Box 33ft-J-2, C . & E. N . , Easton, P a . T E A C H I N G P O S I T I O N : A.B., age 36 with strong organic background. 7 Va years industrial research, 2 years teaching experience. Patent, chemical abstracts. General, organic, analytical. Immediately available. Box 337-J-2, C .
