States
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Mexico
\TAMPiCO
DISTILLATION | OF COAL
^VERACRUZ
I OIL 1 REFINERIES
IRON & STEEL A OIL FURNACES Ml FIELDS f^S.
SULFUR / ^ \
[MiM,NES
IRON ORE / ^ \ COAL
LHi M , N E S U H J MINES '
Central 7im erica
Isthmus of Oehuantepec
Chemical Industry in Mexico JOSEPH SPERLING, Foster D. Site// de Mexico, S. de ft. L , Mexico City,
Mexico
Natural resources and growth of qualified professional manpower supply promise a bright future for Mexico's chemical industry JLEW countries are so richly endowed by nature and predestined for development of a chemical industry as is Mexico. Petroleum and coal, sulfur and natural soda ash, iron ore and a wide range of important minerals, specific vegetation—all ensure for it a firm and sound basis. Minerals, petroleum, and agriculture form the basis of Mexico's economy. The evident economic progress of Mexico keeps well apace with its relatively high natural increase of population—now 28.5 million, on territory of about a fourth the size of the United States. The country entered its age of industrialization at the beginning of the century, the chemical industry taking shape within the past one or two decades. Wartime had a catalytic effect, as various shortages 3628
and U. S. export restrictions speeded up certain developments. M i n e r a l Resources
For over 400 years, since the Spanish conquest, the search for minerals and the exploitation of deposits
has gone on, with changing intensity, but continuously. Gold and silver were the first and main objectives, silver still maintaining today the world's no. 1 position. Mercury came next, followed by copper and lead. Industrial and political developments in Europe and in the United States stimulated
Joseph Sperling was born in Cracow, Poland, and was educated at Technical University in Danzig. He later taught chemistry there, then became manager of a chemical factory in Cracow. In 1943 he did research and development work on several industrial projects for the British government in Kenya, East Africa and in 1945 served as officer in charge of a factory of cinchona alkaloids in Tanganyika. He went to Mexico in 1947 and is now general manager for Foster D. Snell de Mexico in Mexico City.
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
further exploration for and discoveries of deposits of other industrial minerals. Table I gives account of the actual position of the production and exports. T h e major part of iron ore is processed in the country. About 90% of the other metals are exported, in the form of crude or pure metals, concentrates, and minerals. Production shows fluctuations from year to year which are connected with the changing position of international markets and fluctuations of prices, as well as with local mining conditions. In 1953, Mexico produced a total of 1.1 million metric tons of 16 basic minerals and metals (exclusive of sulfur and coal) worth over 2 billion pesos. The export was 18 billion pesos. ( I n 1953 one dollar was 8.65; 100 pesos = $11.56. Actual rate of exchange is: $1.00 = 12.50 pesos; 100 pesos = $8.00.) So far mainly t h e northern part of the country has been explored geologically with a greater degree of intensity. Occasional and preliminary findings of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, uranium, beryllium, mica, bentonite, and other minerals give indication of future possibilities. With an intensified systematic exploration and further development of means of transportation, the range of commercially available minerals will widen and allow estimate of reserves.
Mexicanos ("Pemex"), the government's monopoly organization, took over the task of reorganizing the exploration, production, and distribution. In the years that followed, the geological exploration and drilling went on at a steadily accelerated pace, leading to discoveries of new fields and increasing production and available reserves. Production was particularly stimulated by the soaring national demand for fuel and lubricants, to operate the rapidly growing number of automotive vehicles, tractors, and new factories. The consumption of gasoline and gas oil increased five times; kerosene seven times; lubricants three and a half times, and fuel oil twice, in the period 1938-52. To cope efficiently with the situation, Pemex modernized the five old refineries, installed additional process units, and increased their capacity. T h r e e more refineries were constructed. T h e total length of pipelines was extended to 2500 miles. The production of crude oil was intensified (See Table I I ) . This year a new factory of lubricants and paraffin at Salamanca is to be put in operation, and the capacities of four refineries are to be increased. More attention is given to the utilization of the natural gas.
Petroleum
Bituminous coal is widely distributed in several regions of the country. The actual mining is centered in the basin of Sabinas, in the northeastern corner of
After the nationalization of the petroleum industry in 1938 Petroleos
Coal a n d Iron
Table 1. Production and Export of Minerals and1 Metals Production Value Metric 1000 1953 tons pesos Silver 352,145 1,489 Lead 221,546 572,825 Zinc 226,539 502,401 Copper 60,146 358,742 Gold 15 147,208 Manganese 75,738 77,146 Iron 331,176 50,565 Cadmium 796 32,597 Antimony 3,686 24,589 Mercury 401 16,748 Tungsten 409 18,789 Graphite 30,331 16,076 Fluorspar, gross tons 166,000 28,419 Arsenic 1,999 2,099 Bismuth 335 14,389 Tin 482 9,707
Export, Metric Tons 1,162 208,280 221,528 38,173 2.8 75,719 108,413 959 2,539 431 409 30,330 157,090 2,952 36 265
Table II Production of crude oil, million bbl. Reserves, million bbl. Capacity of refineries per day. 1000 bbl. Oil processed in refineries, million bbl. Export, million bbl. Total sales value, million pesos
VOLUME
3 2, N O .
37
• SEPTEMBER
1938 38.5 835 102 33.7 9.9 198.3
13,
1954
J1947 56.3 1058 138 46.4 14.0 759.3
1953 74.1 2297 272 68.5 15.3 1997
Partial view of sulfur plant of Petroleos Mexicanos at Poza Rica, where 120 tons per day of pure sulfur are produced from hydrogen sulfide contained in sour gases
the country, with reserves estimated at 1,250,000,000 metric tons of coal having an average content of 5 0 to 6 0 % C. Its main utilization is coking for metallurgical purposes. In 1953, the production of coal reached a peak of 1.4 million tons. The figure for coke of 400,000 tons will b e increased at the end of this year by 1700 tons a day, to the total of nearly 1 million metric tons per year, when the n e w coking plant at Monclova is put in operation. Iron ore is mined mainly in the northern states of Coahuila and Durango, at a reasonable distance from coal mines. T h e reserves are estimated at 200 to 300 million tons of iron ore with an average content of 6 0 to 6 5 % F e . The output was 550,000 gross tons in 1953. As a natural consequence of the coal and iron position, the iron and steel industry developed in the northeastern part of t h e country, with centers at Monterrey and Monclova. T h e last year's production was 242,300 tons of pig iron and 462,000 of steel ingot, worth 550 million pesos. T w o new furnaces built by Altos H o m o s de Mexico at Monclova are expected to increase total o u t p u t of pig iron and steel ingot to about 1 million tons per year. Sulfur a n d Sulfuric Acid
Although t h e existence of sulfur in Mexico has been known and sulfur has been mined in limited quantities for some 100 years, Mexico was not considered a "sulfur country." Its deficiency was marked by imports of 5 to 10,000 tons yearly. Since t h e world's cry for more sulfur started a few years ago, more attention has been given to 3629
INTERNATIONAL lion tons, calculated as sodium carbonate. Since 1947 Sosa Texcoco, S. A. is operating a plant at t h e lake which produces sodium carbonate of 98.4%. A p a r t of it is converted by treatment with lime into caustic soda solution of 4 0 % . T h e r e are three more companies engaged in the manufacture of alkalies. However, the total output is far behind the industrial requirements, and considerable quantities of alkalies are being imported. An additional 3500 tons of 5 0 % caustic soda, rayon type, will b e available this year from the n e w electrolytic plant of Industria Nacional Quimico-Farmaceutica. Cement a n d Glass
I
Mexican yam Cabeza de negro, used as raw material by Syntex, S.A. Mexico's sulfur potentialities, resulting in discoveries of various deposits. Particularly the deposits found on t h e Isthmus of Tehuantepec, still awaiting more exploration, are considered to b e of enormous volume. T h e reserves of the domes of San Cristobal alone, in that region, are estimated at 10 million tons of sulfur. F o r immediate local requirements, the problem of sulfur was solved b y Petroleos Mexicanos, which established at Poza Rica a plant for the recovery of elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide contained in the sour gas output. The plant produces 120 tons of sulfur a day, about 100 r 4 pure; the o u t p u t will be increased this year to 250 tons a day. Sulfuric acid is produced b y n i n e factories, all of them using the contact method. Seven factories process elemental sulfur, either from deposits or from Pemex, T w o factories use zinc and lead sulfide as raw material. T h e total production of sulfuric acid has passed the 100,000-ton mark, satisfying the industry's temporary requirements. More than half of the output is used in t h e manufacture of fertilizers. An increased production of sulfuric acid and the manufacture of oleum 20 r r is being planned.
glue; t h e third one, at Guadalajara, is processing guanos from the Pacific islands. T h e year 1951 was an important milestone in the chemical industry's history of Mexico: the first factory of ammonium sulfate was p u t in operation at Cuautitlan, near Mexico City, by Guanos y Fertilizantes de Mexico, under the government's auspices. T h e plant, one of the most modern on the continent, is based on a modified Haber process and uses as raw material natural gas, supplied by Pemex through a pipeline from Poza Rica. Elemental sulfur also comes from Poza Rica. T h e plant has a capacity of 50 tons of ammonia and 180 tons of sulfuric aciu a day, yielding 180 tons of ammonium sulfate and leaving about 5 0 tons of sulfuric acid for the annex superphosphate plant; the latter has a capacity of 4000 tons per month. The total Mexican production amounts to 64,000 tons of ammonium sulfate and 63,000 tons of superphosphate per year. This represents a considerable and essential achievement in the country's basic economy, but it is obviously far behind the requirements. A 100% increase in the capacity of the Cuautitlan plant is being planned, and a nitric acid plant is being considered.
Fertilizers
Alkalies
Guanos y Fertilizantes d e Mexico S. A., the leading manufacturer of fertilizers, operates two factories, in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, which p r o d u c e superphosphate, bone meal, a n d
T h e main source of alkali is the lake of Texcoco, near Mexico City, with a relatively high content of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate. T h e reserves of this lake are estimated at 100 mil-
3630
The growth of Mexico City and other cities, t h e n e w factories a n d highways, the extensive hydraulic and other public works were responsible for the rapid growth of the cement industry. Eighteen factories with a total of 50 kilns and a capacity of 8000 tons a day are in operation. T h e output of 1.7 million tons satisfies t h e yearly national d e m a n d and provides the country with several kinds of good quality cement. T h e glass industry is represented by nine factories operating 3 7 furnaces. T h e production covers about 9 0 % of the country's d e m a n d for bottles, containers, p a n e glass, construction glass, and mirrors. In addition, one factory manufactures white n e u t r a l glass, for ampoules, syringes, a n d thermometers. Other Inorganics
The oldest sulfuric acid factory, "La Viga," in Mexico City, produces the sulfates of sodium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum, and sodium thiosulfate; 3500 tons of hydrochloric acid and 350 tons of nitric acid, m a d e from sodium nitrate; fertilizers, carbonic gas, glue and gelatin. Now t h e factory will be transferred outside t h e city, t h e units will b e modernized, their capacities and the range of products increased. In t h e line of inorganic acids and salts, H a r d Chemical Works, S. A. and Productos Quimicos Mexicanos, S. A. in Mexico City, Productos Quimicos Monterrey, S. A. at Monterrey, a n d a few other establishments a r e also active. The total output of hydrochloric and nitric acid, hypochlorites, and chlorates satisfies the major part of industrial requirements. Cobre de Mexico, S. A. in Mexico City, produces 1750 tons of copper sulfate per year and 30,000 tons of electrolytic copper, a great part of the latter being exported. Four factories produce 2000 tons of zinc oxide by t h e French process. Pigmentos d e Mexico, S. A., at T a m -
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
.INTERNATIONAL
production CEMENT
SYNTHETIC FIBERS
THOUSANDS OFTONS
ALKALIES
THOUSANDS OF TONS
18
THOUSANDS OF TONS
20
jCAUSTIC SODA
I VISCOSE! I ACETATE!
1948 '49
' 5 0 '5!
'52 '53
1948 '49
SUPERPHOSPHATE
' 5 0 '51
Organic Chemicals Of the seven principal coke producers, Cia. Carbonifera d e Sabinas a t Nueva Rosita is t h e only one which recovers t h e by-products, in yearly amounts of 1600 tons of coal tar, 6700 tons of creosote oil, 3000 tons of benzene, 8300 tons of pitch, a n d 3600 tons of ammonium sulfate. T h e n e w plant of Cia. Mexicana d e C o q u e y Derivados at Monclova, having a capacity of 1700 tons of metallurgical coke a day, 3 2,
NO.
37
1948 '49
•
' 5 0 '51
THOUSANDS OF TONS
80
120
1948 '49 will increase not only the quantity but also t h e range of available by-products, adding to t h e already mentioned products the following: toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, anthracene, and naphthalene. Benzene hexachloride is the first synthetic insecticide to b e produced in Mexico this year b y Industria Nacional Quimico-Farmaceutica, 3 0 0 tons per year. Acetic acid a n d acetone are manufactured on a limited scale; 1460 tons of both products were imported. T h e output of the alcohol industry is 4 5 million liters of alcohol per year. Ethyl ether is produced in amounts almost corresponding to t h e demand. Also produced locally are 2000 tons of wood tar, 2500 tons of turpentine oil, and 1500 tons of glycerol. T h e vast majority of organic chemicals needed b y industries is being imported. T h e import of organic chemicals, including synthetic dyestuffs and organometallic chemicals amounted to 237 million pesos in 1953. It was recently disclosed that Celanese Mexicana plans to start a petrochemical industry in Mexico, with the primary aim to supply t h e synthetic fiber factories with t h e necessary intermediates. Therefore, there is good reason to assume that t h e combined activity in the field of coal tar products
SEPTEMBER
13,
1954
'52 '53
SULFURIC ACID
THOUSANDS OF TONS
'52 *53
pico, manufacture about 2 0 0 0 tons of lithopone. Several manufacturers p r o d u c e iron and lead oxide pigments. Considerable quantities of dry colors, however, a r e still being imported. There a r e several factories of carbonic acid and d r y ice covering t h e national demand. Of other products available from local manufacture, p r e cipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium sulfate, sodium silicate, calcium chloride, silver nitrate, antimony oxide a n d sulfide, oxygen, a n d hydrogen are to b e mentioned. T h e import of chemical industrial products in 1953 amounted t o 6 6 0 million pesos, or 10% of total imports, of which t h e value of imported inorganic chemicals was 105.3 million pesos.
VOLUME
'52 '53
AMMONIUM SULFATE
THOUSANDS OF TONS
1948 '49
' 5 0 '51
I
I OTHER ALKALIES! CALCULATED AS I Na ? CO, I
'50
'51
'52 '53
and petrochemicals will result in a w i d e range of available intermediates which should stimulate the manufacture of more organic chemicals. Pharmaceutical Industry The pharmaceutical industry holds a strong position in Mexico's economy. T h e relatively large number of laboratories represents a total investment of about 5 0 0 million pesos. I n t h e line of fine chemicals, Glauber's salt, magnesium sulfate, calomel, sublimate, mercury oxides, a n d merbromin are being produced. T h e local production of acetylsalicylic acid, ether, glycerol, and castor oil has cut or eliminated the corresponding imports- Standardized vegetable drug extracts, glandular products, hormones, liver extracts, a n d cholic and dehydrocholic acid are being manufactured. A number of laboratories specialize in vaccines and other biological products. The majority of the pharmaceutical laboratories is engaged in the production of a large variety of medicinal specialties, in all conventional pharmaceutical forms, based mostly on imported fine chemicals, antibiotics, vitamins, alkaloids, and vegetable drugs. So far, this relatively young 3631
INTERNATIONAL industry has reduced the imports of medicines to about 25% of the total value, has stimulated the development of auxiliary industries, and has succeeded in exporting medicines, worth 7 million pesos in 1953, to Central and South American countries. Syntex, S. A., in Mexico City, holds an outstanding position. This company revolutionized the world's hormone market a few years ago by large scale manufacture of progesterone at a relatively low price, using the Mexican yam, cabcza de negro, as raw material. This production was followed by extension of the manufacture to other steroid hormones, as testosterone, pregnenolone, and estradiol. Continued research led to the total synthesis and production of hydrocortisone. Sugar and Starch
The production of cane sugar, one of the oldest and continuously growing industries, reached in 1953 the peak of 765,000 tons; 56,000 tons of sugar and 164,700 tons of molasses, worth 67.2 million pesos were exported. Productos de Maiz, S. A. is processing at Guadalajara 30,000 tons of maize per year. Its main product is starch, 15,000 tons; additional products are dextrines, glucose, maize oil, adhesives, and a number of industrial and food specialty products. Cellulose, Synthetic Fiber, Paper
Cellulose is being produced in limited quantities, not corresponding to the industrial requirements. Imports came to 30,000 tons, worth 39 million pesos, last year. In 1947, Celanese Mexicana, S. A. started the manufacture of synthetic
fibers in Ocotlan, Jalisco. Recently three other factories were merged in Celanese Mexicana. The total investment amounts to 350 million pesos. The steadily growing production readied 6600 tons of viscose rayon and 770O tons of acetate in 1953. The major part of raw materials and intermediates is being imported. The expansion program of Celanese Mexicana includes local manufacture of intermediates, increase of the actual output, and production of other kinds of synthetic fibers, of tire cord, and of cellophane. A new investment of 35 million pesos was announced recently. The paper industry is represented by 13 factories producing kraft and semikraft paper, newsprint, carton, writing paper, and several other kinds of paper, the total amounting to 100,000 tons wortli 270 million pesos. A considerable proportion of paper and carton is being imported.
plastics is based on polystyrene, cellulose molding compound, and polyvinyl chloride resin brought on the market by Monsanto de Mexico S. A. Phenol formaldehyde molding powder is produced by Bakelite de Mexico S. A. at Monterrey. Celanese Mexicana S. A. provides the industry with polyethylene. A large and steadily increasing variety of industrial and household articles is being put on the market satisfying a major part of the demand. Celanese Mexicana manufactures Marcolita, a plastic material for construction purposes, and Claracel, a wrapping material. Protective coatings industry is represented by 70 establishments, producing almost all kinds of paints, lacquers, enamels, and varnishes required by the market, with total yearly sales of 120 million pesos. The market is rather competitive and many factories are working at one third of their capacity.
Rubber, Plastics, Protective Coatings
Vegetable Oils, Soaps, Syndets
THe Mexican guayule shrub and the rubber tree have at times been exploited on a. limited commercial basis, but actually the cultivation is suspended. Almost all the rubber used is imported natural and synthetic rubber. Last year's import was 15,518 tons worth 70 million pesos. The production of chicle amounts to an average of 2000 tons; about 90% of it is exported. There are five big factories of rubber products in Mexico City accounting for over 90% of the total investment and production, and a number of smaller establishments. The value of tires, inner tubes, and industrial and household articles produced in 1953 was 404 million pesos. The rapidly growing industry of
Fourteen mills produced 57,000 tons of vegetable oil in 1953, 8 3 % of which was cottonseed and sesame oil. Hydrogenated oils are available. About half of the vegetable oil output is used in the manufacture of soaps. In 1953, 84,000 tons of laundry soap, 7000 tons of toilet soap and 500 tons of industrial soap were produced. The market of synthetic detergents is supplied mainly by Colgate-Palmolive S. A. and Procter & Gamble de Mexico, S. A., both in Mexico City. It is estimated that the use of laundry soap still prevails, but the syndet figures should not be too far away from the laundry soap figures. Three manufacturers specialize in detergents for the textile industry. Chemical Education a n d Research
Plant of Guanos y Fertilizantes de Mexico, S.A., at Cuautitlan. Produces ammonium sulfate and superphosphate
3632
Simultaneously with the growth of chemical and related industries more attention is given to education in chemistry. The National University and Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico City offer courses in chemistry and chemical engineering. There are two universities and a technological institute at Guadalajara, a technological institute at Monterrey and 10 more universities in other cities, all of them offering courses in chemistry. In addition, there are five research institutes. An important and extensive industrial research program, sponsored by Banco de Mexico, is conducted by Instituto Mexicano de Investigaciones Tecnologicas, in five research groups: oils, greases, waxes; coal and minerals; cellulose and paper; tannins and forestry products; biochemistry.
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ffi ethylene
SOLVAY
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Methyl Chloride Carbon Tetrachloride
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32,
NO.
37
• SEPTEMBER
formation without cost or obligation.
SOLVAY
PROCESS
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1954
DIVISION
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B r o a d w a y , N e w York 6 , N . Y .
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Soda Ash • Snowflake® Crystals • Potassium Carbonate • Calcium Chloride • Sodium Bicarbonate • Ammonium Bicarbonate Cleaning Compounds • Caustic Potash • Sodium Nitrite Ammonium Chloride • Chlorine • Caustic Soda • Monochlorobenzene Para-dichlorobenzene • Ortho-dichlorobenzene • Chloroform Methylene Chloride • Carbon Tetrachloride • Methyl Chloride
3633
INTERNATIONAL U.S.S.R. Shows Upsurge of Scientific M a n p o w e r Considerable increase in the past decade in number of trained profes sional men and a substantial gain in trained scientific manpower in the U.S.S.R. are indicated by a survey of Russian labor forces made by Nicholas DeWitt at the Russian Research Center of Harvard University. Regimentation of Soviet society ex tends to involuntary placement of pro fessionals and semiprofessionals within their fields, a practice which has con
tinued and increased ever since 1933. One continues to work in whatever field he has received his higher education and training. Assumptions can there fore b e made from available educa tional statistics. At the end of 1953 the number of specialists with completed secondary and higher professional and technical education was 5.94 million—an increase of 138% over the 2.5 million in 1940. Although this indicated that growth had not gone on at as high a rate as during the prewar decade, (when the labor force roughly doubled and num-
IMPROVED MODEL, VARIABLE
SHAKING
SPEED
APPARATUS
RECIPROCATING TYPE
•
O s c i l l a t i o n s vari able from 85 to 2 4 0 strokes per minute
•
For continuous operation
•
Stepless split-pulley speed control
S H A K I N G A P P A R A T U S , Reciprocating Type, Improved Model, Variable Speed. A r u g g e d , relatively quiet Shaker for g e n e r a l purpose use, consist ing o f a carrier o f corrosion-re sistant metal a n d v a r i a b l e s p e e d p o w e r unit suitable f o r continuous o p e r a t i o n . Power unit is furnished with constant s p e e d , 1 7 2 5 r.p.m. synchronous VA h.p. motor which o p e r a t e s a t full s p e e d a n d maximum t o r q u e , but s p e e d o f p l a t f o r m oscillation is v a r i a b l e b y means o f a special b e l t - d r i v e n , v a r i a b l e pitch pulley system employing a countershaft a n d t w o split pulleys, one o f which is c h a n g e d manually b y a h a n d w h e e l a n d locking nut o p e r a t e d f r o m the front o f the housing. Oscillations can b e v a r i e d b e t w e e n a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 5 a n d 2 4 0 strokes, e a c h I - V 2 inches l o n g , p e r minute. Housing is finished in g r a y Hammertone e n a m e l , outside dimensions 2 3 - % inches long x 1 1 - V 2 inches w i d e x 9 - % inches high, a n d includes six r u b b e r suction-cup f e e t which anchor the Shaker securely t o the t a b l e a n d eliminate the tendency to c r e e p . The b o x - t y p e C a r r i e r consists of an a n o d i z e d aluminum b o x , 1 8 inches long x 1 2 More
mmm\*vtmm
detailed
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inches w i d e x 3 - % inches deep, with r u b b e r c o v e r e d floor a n d slotted sides a n d ends to t a k e a d j u s t a b l e , r u b b e r - c o v e r e d bars length wise a n d crosswise f o r holding various types of l o a d in position. The utility o f this carrier is g r e a t l y increased b y posts which a r e a t t a c h e d to the corners o f the t r a y . The posts a r e fitted with '/2-inch r o d s , 1 8 inches l o n g , with t h r e a d e d ends, on which a v a r i e t y o f c l a m p s , g l a s s w a r e , etc., can b e mounted for shaking. 8917-A. Shaking Apparatus, Variable S p e e d , G e n e r a l Purpose, a s a b o v e d e s c r i b e d , consisting of P o w e r Unit, aluminum b o x - t y p e C a r r i e r , t w o c l a m p i n g bars with washers a n d wing nuts f o r attachment t o sides, a n d t w o corner posts w i t h eight screws f o r a t tachment. P o w e r consumption 2 0 0 watts. C o m p l e t e with o n - o f f switch, connecting cord a n d p l u g ; for use o n 1 1 5 volts, a.c. $ 2 2 3 . 5 0 sent
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ARTHUR H. THOMAS COMPANY
A:H.T.CO. I l»B0»«TQ(Of APPABATUS |
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3634
PA.
ber of specialists increased about five fold), increase of trained professional and technical personnel continued at a much higher rate than the labor force itself and contributed greatly to quali tative improvement of the labor force. Although gain in size of trained pro fessional labor force appeared primarily as a result of ability of Soviet higher educational system to turn out gradu ates, to some extent it was also caused by preferential treatment of profession als through deferments. In 1940 there were about 3 2 % wo men professionals, but by end of 1952 the proportion of women had increased to about 5 0 % , with chief increases in medicine and education, where share of women was already high. About 8 6 0 higher educational estab lishments were turning out trained pro fessionals in 1953, compared with 750 in 1940. In 1953-54, although there was a proportional decline in annual graduations of engineers, in absolute terms the training of Soviet engineers (with five and a half years of training, three of them in narrow specialization) continued at the same high numerical rates as in the prewar period and was considerably higher than that in the U. S. in recent years. Graduations from higher educational establishments in the summer of 1954 show an increase of 15% over 1953. Acceptances for 1954 will b e almost twice as many as in '53. Steady in crease in acceptances during the past f e w years has been because of spec tacular increase in graduations from secondary schools. Whereas, in prewar period there was a great shortage of secondary school graduates which might be selected for higher education, now, for the first time, a substantia] surplus of secondary school graduates is available. This implies a better selec tion of students entering professional training. Graduation rate is apparently leveling off to the prewar level of about 6 0 graduations per 100 acceptances. (Strict selection of students stipulates only 48 graduations per 1 0 0 ) . Although official data are lacking on basis of past accomplishments appar ently by the end of 1953 there were about 9 0 , 0 0 0 full-time teachers and pro fessors in Soviet higher educational es tablishments. The fact that the least number of students per teacher was in the fields of engineering and natural sciences suggests that these students continue to receive preferential atten tion. In 1952 the Soviet Union had 2900 research establishments, compared with 1560 in 1940. Twice as many research scientists were employed in all fields in 1952 as in 1940, or about 68,000, a large proportion of whom (probably
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
—
\***¥
-
•
•
•
•
•
•
^^ttmsS
P^^THitelO^
•
SHIPPING
DESCRIPTION
PRODUCT
DATA
Anhydrous: refrigeration g r a d e (99.98%), commercial cjrade (99.5%); A q u a : 26° Be a n d U.S.P
26-ton tank cars from Lake Charles, La., Niagara Falls, N. Y., Morgantown, W. V a . Aqua: 8,000-gal. tank cars, Niagara Falls.
U.S.P. powd-ered special; fine.
100-lb. moisture-proof Saltville, Virginia.
and granular;
miller's
paper b a g s
from
Carbonic g a s and dry ice.
20-lb. and 50-lb. net c y l i n d e r s , tank cars and tank trucks; 55-lb. b l o c k s from Saltville, Va., a n d 15 Mathieson w a r e h o u s e s .
50% and 73 ^o liquid; 76% solid, l a r g e and small flake, granular, ground, p o w d e r e d .
8 a n d 10,000-gal. tank cars a n d s t a n d a r d d r u m s f r o m L a k e C h a r l e s , La. ( a l s o b a r g e s a n d tankers), N i a g a r a Falls, N. Y., Saltville, V a . , Mcintosh, Huntsville a n d Anniston, A l a .
Liquid.
16, 30 and 55-ton tank cars, multi-unit cars (15 o n e ton units) from Niagara Falls, N. Y., Huntsville and Mcintosh, Ala., Saltville, Va., Arvida, Q u e b e c .
Purite: 21b. soda ash p i g s for foundry applications j PH-Plus: Vfc-lb. and 2-oz. s o d a ash cakes f o r water treatment.
100-lb. b a g s from Saltville, Va.; Purite also in bulk carloads.
H y d r a z i n e (N 2 H 4 ), h y d r a z i n e h y d r a t e , mono- and ddhydrazine sulphate, a n d m a n y other compounds.
Liquids: 30 (240-lb.) and 55-gal. (440-lb.) drums; hydrazine salts: 200-lb. drums a n d 20-lb. pails from Lake Charles, La.
HTH: calci-um h y p o c h l o r i t e (70% availa b l e chlorine), g r a n u l a r a n d tablet form for water axid s e w a g e treatment; Lo-Bax: for dairy sanitation; plus a c o m p l e t e line of laundry Ibleaches.
100-lb. d r u m s and smaller Niagara Falls, N. Y.
Synthetic, prilled (not l e s s than 99.5% s o d i u m nitrate).
100-lb. multi-walled paper b a g s (palletized loading optional) and bulk cars (box or hopper) from Lake Charles, La.
6 0 % HNO:*.
Tank cars and tank trucks from Charles, La.
58% Na 2 Or light, coarse, d e n s e — s t a n d a r d and special.
100-lb. multi-walled paper b a g s and bulk carloads from Saltville, Va. and Lake C h a r l e s , La. ( a l s o b a r g e s a n d o c e a n steamers).
Textone: f o r textile p r o c e s s i n g ; C2: for superbleacrhing of paper pulp; Technical: for water treatment and g e n e r a l u s e .
100-lb. d r u m s from Niagara Falls, N. Y.
© HYPOCHLORITE PRODUCTS
units
from
Lake
PRODUCT
SULPHURIC ACI D
ETHYLENE
OXIDE
DESCRIPTION
SHIPPING
DATA
Activated Alum Brand—designed for u s e in the field of water and s e w a g e treatment.
100-lb. paper b a g s from Baltimore, Md.
Refined roll brimstone; refined flour; sublimed flowers U.S.P,; commercial flour; rubbermakers grades: conditioned, oiltreated, wettable, etc.; granular.
Barrels, paper, burlap and osnaburg bag: from Houston, Texas.
60° Be. (77.67% H 2 S0 4 ); 66° Be. (91.19% HoS0 4 ); 98%, 99% a n d 100% H 2 S 0 4 ; oleum 20% (104.5% H 2 SQ 4 ).
Tank cars from Baltimore, Md. (also tan] trucks, transports, barges). Little R o d Ark., Bossier City, La., Beaumont, Poi Arthur and Pasadena, Tex., Palmerton, Pc
Solvent for fats, oils, waxes, gums, tars, and resins; extractant for alkaloids, vitamins, hormones; used i n fumigants, cleansing agents, herbicides.
4, 8, and 10,000-gal. tank cars, comparl mented tank cars, 55-gal. drums from Do Run, Ky.
Conditioning agents and lubricants for textiles, humectants for tobacco, gas dehydration, humectants for cork, resiii plasticizers.
4, 8, and 10,000-gal. tank cars, compar mented tank cars, 55-gal. drums from Do Run, Ky.
Synthesis of surface active agents and chelating agents; forms resinous polymers with formaldehyde resin systems.
8 and 10,000-gal. tank cars, tank trucks 55-gal. drums (430-lbs. net) from Morgai town, W. Va.
Engine coolant, industrial explosives, cellophane, adhesives, hydraulic fluids, resins, plasticizers, electrolytic condensers.
4, 8, and 10,000-gal. tank cars, compar mented tank cars, 55-gal. drums from Do Run, Ky.
Production of acrylonitrile, acrylate esters, e t h a n o l a m i n e s , fumigants, surfactants, p o l y glycols.
10,350-gal. tank cars and drums from Do Run, Ky. ICC Spec. 104 A W ; red shippin label.
Hexamethylenetetramine, (CH 2 ) 6 N 4 : convenient source of water-free formaldehyde and amino activity.
100-lb. drums and 80-lb. moisture-resistai bags from Morgantown, W . Va.
Intermediate in the manufacture of formaldehyde, resins; engine coolant and fuel; an excellent solvent.
8 and 10,000-gal. tank cars, compartmente tank cars and drums from Morgantowi W. Va. Red shipping label.
Poly-G 200, 300, 400, 600; humectants and softening agents, copolymers and plasticizers, chemical intermediates.
55-gal. (500-lb. net) resin-lined, non-retim able drums from Doe Run, Ky.
P r o d u c t i o n of i n s e c t i c i d e s , p e r f u m e s , soaps, optical bleaches, pharmaceuticals; catalyst to upgrade fats and oils.
50 and 200-lb. drums and 10 lb. pails (y€ low shipping label); 25% solution in 5 gal. drums from Niagara Falls. N. Y.
MATHffiSOlS CHEMICAL
PRODUCTS
Consistent product quality has been an important characteristic of Mathieson chemicals for over 60 years. Today, it's more essential than ever. The chemical process industries, becoming increasingly complex through expansion and diversification, require raw materials of uniform high quality to maintain rigid standards of operation. As Mathieson production increases to meet the needs of a growing number of industries, Mathieson quality remains a primary consideration. And just as purity and uniformity benefit carload and less-carload accounts alike, there are other PLUS VALUES Mathieson offers that add up to why you can buy to better advantage from one of America's leading producers of basic industrial chemicals.
LOS
TECHNICAL SERVICE
Because t e c h n i c a l problems a m o n g the chemical process industries a r e often similar, the Mathieson technical staff is org a n i z e d on an industry-wide basis. These technical service men give y o u the a d v a n t a g e of more p r a c t i c a l assistance through g r e a t e r experience a n d b r o a d e r association with p r o b lems common to the chemical consuming industries.
iOS
DEPENDABLE DELIVERIES
fLOS
Shipments f r o m plants a n d local stock points a r e efficiently scheduled to meet y o u r o p e r a t i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s . These s h i p p i n g facilities, l o c a t e d in key indust r i a l areas, p r o v i d e you with g r e a t e r f l e x i b i l i t y in d e l i v e r y schedules.
IVs
HELPFUL SERVICE
SALES
Through twelve regional sales offices, Mathieson keeps in closer contact with the industries it serves. W h e n p l a n n i n g y o u r chemical requirements, call the Mathieson office nearest y o u . Let a representative show you w h y more p e o p l e buy chemicals to better a d v a n t a g e f r o m Mathieson.
MULTI-PLANT FACILITIES The protection of multi-plant production facilities — for exa m p l e , three major a l k a l i plants, seven sulphuric a c i d plants, six chlorine plants, three ammonia plants — assure y o u of a relia b l e source of supply.
DISTRICT SALES OFFICES-INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS D I V I S I O N : LANTA 2, GEORGIA IFFALO 3, NEW YORK IARLOTTE 2, N. C 1ICAGO 1 1 . ILLINOIS N C I N N A T I 2, O H I O HUSTON 2. TEXAS
225 Chester Ave., S.E. Rand Building Liberty Life Bldg. 400 N . Michigan Ave. Dixie Terminal Bldg. Gulf Building
LOS ANGELES 22, CALIF NEW ORLEANS 12, LA NEW YORK 22, N. Y PHILADELPHIA 7, PA PROVIDENCE 3, R. I ST. LOUIS 2, MISSOURI
O L I N M A T H I E S O N CHEMICAL
JJT " J MATHIESON
2535 Eastland Ave. Nat'l Bk. of Comm. Bldg. 745 Fifth Ave. Lincoln-Liberty Bldg. Hospital Trust Building Rialto Bldg.
CORPORATION
INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS DIVISION BALTIMORE 3 , M A R Y L A N D
INTERNATIONAL about a third) were still engaged in applied and technical research. About 9% of professionals in all fields were engaged either in teaching in higher educational establishments or in scientific and technical research. A large proportion of academic rank holders, especially in the fields of engineering and applied and natural sciences, were simultaneously involved in some research activity as well. Enrollment in advanced-degree training, which consists primarily of research, in 1952 totaled about 27,000, compared with 12,400 in 1940 and 800 in 1929. On the basis of advanced-degree-enrollment trends and awards of advanced degrees, it appears that 35 to 40% of all advanced-degree holders are in the field of technical and applied natural sciences, 5 to 7% in each of the fields of pure mathematics and physics, chemistry, medicine, philology, economics, and the rest spread over various other fields. Plans at the recent Party Congress proposed that by 1956 annual graduations from higher educational establishments should about double those of 1950, or come to 330,000 to 370,000 annually. Acceptances in the field of engineering in 1950 were more than 70,000, and thus it is possible to expect that by 1956 Soviet higher educational establishments will be graduating about 50% more engineers annually than in 1950, or somewhat more than 45,000. Number of scientists in all fields employed by research establishments should also double, or reach a level of about 120,000. I r a n Settles O i l Dispute Iranian oil dispute, which began three years ago when Premier Mossadegh nationalized the industry and thus took it out of the hands of AngloIranian Oil Co., has been peacefully settled at last in what is considered by both Iran and Western nations to b e a fair deal. It is hoped that all details will be worked out in time to permit operations to begin at the long-neglected properties by Oct. 1. Dispute has cut the country out of its greatest source of revenue and has caused death or injury of more than 1000 persons. Consortium formed by eight oil companies, six of which are American, the others British (one is Anglo-Iranian), will operate the property. Iranian cabinet approved an agreement with the consortium which allows companies a 25-year contract to extract, refine, and market Iranian oil, giving them exclusive right of exploitation of an area approximately equal to the 100,000 square-mile concession formerly held by Anglo-Iranian. Small Kermanshah refinery, NaftiVOLUME
3 2,
NO.
37 •
Shah oilfield, and other facilities are to b e operated by National* Iranian Oil Co. for domestic needs. Consortium may extend contract for 15 years provided it surrenders 20% of the territory at beginning of each five-year extension period. Thus, at the end of 4 0 years consortium will be exploiting a little more than half the original area. Production for the first year has been fixed at 12.5 million tons. Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. will receive $204,400,000 compensation for the Abadan installation nationalized by Iran in 1951.
Puerto Rico to H a v e Technical Training C e n t e r Foreign Operations Administration of the U. S. has signed a contract with Puerto Rico to conduct an international technical cooperation training center for participants from over 4 0 countries. Contract continues a cooperative training program which began in Puerto Rico in 1950. So far> 1300 participants have been trained. They represent almost every country with which the U . S. Government par-
mmz3is::
mmmwEmmmmmmEmm HOW S. C. Johnson &Son... PUTS Barnstead Distilled Water to Work S. C. Johnson & Son, of Racine, Wisconsin, a leading American producer of wax and polishes, depends on Barnstead Pure Water for controlled quality in research. A Barnstead Still, installed on the top floor of S. C. Johnsons famous Research and Development Tower, provides water of extreme purity for many phases of the firm's experimental research program. Like scores of other manufacturing companies throughout the world, S. C. Johnson & Son relies on Barnstead Water Purification Equipment for years of trouble-free service. The current Barnstead line of Water Stills, including some 200 models with capacities from l/z to 1000 gallons per hour, represents more than 75 years of successful Pure-Water experience. BARNSTEAD
ALSO
BUILDS
A
COMPLETE
Because Barnstead builds both Water Stills and Demineralizers, you are assured of impartial recommendations and an installation tailored to your individual needs. Write today for our recommendations on your pure-water problem. No obligation, of course. JUST O U T ! Catalog #127 describes and pictures the entire Barnstead Demineralizer line. Write for your free copy today.
LINE
OF
WATER
DEM1NERALIZERS
Barnstead Demineralizers are designed for use where mineral-free water is required and built for long service at lowest cost. Capacities range from 5 to 2500 gallons per hour; costs run as low as 5c per 1000 gallons of Pure Water!
b aTiistead
STILL & STERILIZER CO. 19 Lanesvtlle Terrace, Forest Hills, & Boston 31, Mass.
Science and Industry Rely on Barnstead
SEPTEMBER
13,
1954
3639
INTERNATIONAL ticipates in economic or technical cooperation. Largest single group of students will come from British, French, and Netherlands areas of the Caribbean, for whom special courses on the vocational level have been planned. Puerto Rico is particularly well fitted to offer technical training to participants from other countries. It is a one-time underdeveloped country which, through its "Operation Bootstrap," has solved many of its own economic and social problems. For the past 13 years the country has successfully conducted many agri-
cultural, health, education, and economic development programs and thus provides first-hand experience under conditions comparable to those in the participants' own countries. South A f r i c a Paint Industry Asks for Import Controls Removal of import control in Union of South Africa will cause the country's paint manufacturing industry to feel the competition, according to a report of the Board of Trade and Industries. Some of the industry's biggest
SARGENT POLAROGRAPH .Trademark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Jradenv
MODEL XII PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDING Indispensable Chemical Facility
Many Uses... Many Users Dozens of users have more than one Sargent Polarograph working for them. One industrial firm alone has already obtained sixteen. Of the hundred universities, colleges and research institutes employing Sargent Polarographs, one operates seven and over twenty universities use two or more. The United States Government has already placed more than forty in service. The Sargent Polargraph's uses are varied and many . . . . 1. For the routine analysis of non-ferrous alloys and ores when determining minor constituents including copper, lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, iron and cobalt. 2 . For the routine determination of lead, copper, nickel, manganese and cobalt in ferrous alloys. •3. For the analytical control of plating baths, notably in the field of precious metals. 4. For trace metal measurements in food products, in body fluids and in petroleum products. 5. For the analysis of source materials and processed products for a variety of hormones and vitamins.
0. For the identification and estimation of numerous substances of nutritional and biological regulatory function, supporting or replacing biological assay. 7. For the determination of halides and sulfate groups by titration with a polarized electrode. 8. For the analytical measurement of innumerable organic compounds containing reducible groups. 9. For specific industrial controls such as the estimation of aldehydes in alcoholic products, the quantitative differentiation of sugars and the control of aging quality in sugars. 10. For the measurement of dissolved oxygen, oxygen demand and metal ions in water and sewage. 11. For many uncommon analyses for which classical procedures are unavailable, less accurate and slower. 12. For the investigation and control of commercial reduction processes. 13. For thermodynamic investigations relating to states of ionic aggregations, mobilities and diffusion rates, solubilities, reaction rates and equilibrium constants. For a complete description Polargraphic Model XII, write
of the today.
Sargent
S-29301 POLAROGRAPH—Model X I I Photographic Recording. Sargent-Heyrovsky With accessories. For operation from 115 volt A.C. 00 cycle circuit $1390.00
SARGENT SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS • APPARATUS • SUPPLIES •
CHEMICALS
E. H . SARGENT & COMPANY, 4 6 4 7 W . FOSTER AVE., CHICAGO 3 0 , ILLINOIS) M I C H I G A N D I V I S I O N , 1959 EAST JEFFERSON STREET, DETROIT 7 , M I C H I G A N SOUTHWESTERN D I V I S I O N , 5 9 1 5 PEELER STREET, D A L L A S 1 9 , TEXAS] SOUTHEASTERN D I V I S I O N , 3125 SEVENTH AVE., N . , B I R M I N G H A M 4 , ALA.
3640
customers (building, motor vehicle assembly, and construction engineering industries) are notoriously sensitive to movements in the trade cycle, and any downward swing reduces paint demands. Board of Trade recommends that present protective duties of up to 25% not be reduced. It is reported that B. Owen Jones, Ltd., Lakeside, Boksburg, Transvaal, is manufacturing a cold galvanizing process for industrial use which is easily applied by brush, spray, or dipping to provide a permanent, impermeable 95% pure zinc coating to protect structural work indefinitely. Liberia Gives Oil Palm Concession °rian government has granted a ct *on for development of oil palm resources in Liberia to the Society for th _ Utilization of Vegetal Raw Materials, a West German organization. Society will construct oil mills, exploit existing natural palmeries, develop oil palm plantations, and establish a commercial oil and kernel buying, grading, and marketing organization. Government will share in profits at ratios not to exceed 50%. This will be in lieu of all income and excise taxes. There are an estimated 30 to 35 million wild oil palm trees in the country, only 20% of which are now being tapped. Rapid development is hindered by lack of roads and inefficient methods of oil extraction. Indonesian School Gets California Aid University of California will assist the University of Indonesia in developing and strengthening its medical school under a three-year FOA-sponsored contract. FOA has authorized $452,949 to finance the first two years of the project, ultimate objective of which is to improve the health of Indonesia's 80 million people. The country has only 1200 qualified doctors, or one doctor to 66,000 persons, as compared with one doctor to 800 persons in the U. S. Medical schools of Indonesia are training only about 50 doctors annually—too few to replace those who leave medical practice each year through retirement or death. Ten professors will be sent from California to serve as staff advisers at the Indonesia school. Medical education specialists in biochemistry, pathology, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical science will also be sent. N e w Plant for South A f r i c a Chemical plant which will produce a range of products from caustic soda to PVC, a rubber-like plastic, is being
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
now you can
> GIVE YOUR SALES FORCE THE FINEST COMPETITIVE RIGID VINYL SHEET MmBÊÊÊÊÊÊ.
EXON
DUES η
win
450
^3£ffi ΤΓΜίίΛΙ
Superior Products of Varied Sizes and Shapes Can Be Vacuum Formed from Rigid Vinyl Sheets Made from EXON 450! In end products as above, getexcellent dimen-
sional stability, needle sharp clarity of minute details. These exceptional characteristics are due to the unusual properties of the base resin used—EXON 450.
T h e finest rigid vinyl sheets c a n now be processed with unusual economy. One r e s i n - E X O N 450-instead of two, can be formulated to meet A S T M D708 44T (Grade 1 ) . Fabricators of vacuum formed products report excellent results using rigid sheets processed from E X O N 450. T h i s superior resin has m a n y outstanding properties.
For complete information or consultation on any processing problem... call or write
CHEMICAL SALES DIVISION
im§m VOLUME
32,
NO.
Firestone Plastics Co., DeptJ&, Pottstown, Pa. Division of the Firestone Tire
