Dec., 1917
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
1145
RUSSIAN COTTONSEED OIL INDUSTRY
LINING WHITE METAL BEARINGS
The Russian cottonseed oil industry is established for the most part in the Ferghana, Murgal and Merw districts. The cottonseed from the first-named district contains a high percentage of oil specially suitable for refining. It is stated, says the Chemical Trade Journal, that in the Ferghana mills there are more than thirty 16-in. hydraulic presses, seven 12-in. presses and several small ones. The total quantity of cottonseed formerly treated was about 144,000 tons per annum, the working year being 250 days. The yield of oil was approximately 21,600 tons in addition to 48,000 tons oil-cake. Just lately, twonew mills have been established and the old mills have been enlarged. The output, therefore, is considerably increased and the total quantity of cottonseed dealt with is now about 192,000 tons. The export of cottonseed from Turkestan in 1913 was about 20320 tons. It is said that 36 lbs. cottonseed of first quality yield 18 per cent unrefined cottonseed oil, 40 per cent oil-cake and 5 0 per cent husks, the remainder consisting of linters and other waste.-M.
In order to ensure uniformity of composition in white metal alloys used for lining bearings the Monometer Manufacturing Company of Aston, Birmingham, has introduced a melting furnace which is provided with a device for thoroughly mixing the components of white Babbitt and similar alloys. This device takes the form of a propeller, carried on ball bearings t o reduce friction, the blades of which are rotated in the melting pot by means of a handle. The alloy is drawn off from the melting pot, which is enclosed, through an outlet a t the bottom controlled by a screw valve, and a thermostatic regulator, which acts on the fuel supply and can be set to suit any particular alloy, maintains the metal a t the proper temperature for running into the bearings. An oven for heating the shells of the bearings before they are tinned, made by the same firm, is fitted with a similar automatic controller which keeps the temperature a t the correct point for tinning, and the shells need simply to be rubbed with a stick of tin as they are withdrawn. Automatic temperature control is also provided in a die-casting machine for use in connection with small bearings.-M.
JAPANESE PAPER-MAKING INDUSTRY Among the trades in which Japan is sure t o make great efforts t o maintain a permanent position after the war is the manufacture of “European” paper, says the Chamber of Commerce Journal. Before the war a heavy import duty compelled most publishers to use Japanese-made paper although it was both dear and bad and export was hardly dreamed of. Now a large part of the Asiatic trade is in Japan’s hands and the new energy put into the business may bring it up to European level. Saghalien makes impcrtant pulp contributions-a welcome sign of development of a rather neglected territory. Without the war, it is doubtful whether paper manufacture would ever have teen a success, but extraordinary circumstances have justified this and various other protected industries. They have, however, a time of severe trial before them, for in many cases they are far from working as cheaply as Europe in spite of low wages. The Japanese demand for paper in 1915 was 145,000tons, of which 60,000 tons were ground pulp and 85,000 tons chemical pulp. The ground pulp was chiefly supplied by home producers, only a small portion being imported. Of chemical pulp about 60,000 tons came from abroad, the home production being limited to 25,000 tons of lower grade material and 7,500 tons of superior grade. The total cessation of imports to Japan since the war began and the enormous rise in prices have stimulated the Japanese pulp industry. Many producers are now exploiting the timber resources of the Saghalien forests and several chemical paper factories have been established recently in Saghalien. With a view to encouraging the pulp industry in Japan, the Japanese Investigation Committee suggests that timber for pulp-making should be supplied a t the lowest possible price, and that all possible facilities, for the transport of material, timber and pulp, should be given to producers.-M.
APPLICATION OF RADIO-ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FOR BATTERIES A recent French patent is concerned with the use of radioactive material for the purpose of facilitating the chemical action taking place in accumulators. For this purpose radium barium sulfate is used. The material is insoluble in the electrolyte and does not appear to enter into chemical action with the lead oxide or the metallic lead of the plates. Its presence is assumed to render the chemical action more complete during charge and discharge, otherwise the process is normal. Sbout 0 .2 microgram of radium per lb. of lead oxide is used, the radium compound being merely incorporated in the oxide used on the grid of the plates.-M.
ARTIFICIAL W O O D The Austrian paper, Kunststofle, states that leaves are now being used for the production of artificial wood, which has for some time been manufactured from sawdust, subjected to high pressure either with or without a binding material. The leaves are dried and boiled in water or lye, mixed with a binding material such as glue, resin, waterglass, etc., and squeezed into blocks under a pressure of 300 to 400 atmospheres. Any desired color can be obtained by appropriate additions. It is claimed that artificial wood so produced can be worked like natural wood and can be used for the most varied purposes.--?/I.
PAINTS AND VARNISHES FOR SIAM Siam is a prosperous country, says a contemporary, and the bountiful rice crop, the staple product, which has been recently gathered in, should be favorable to the import of manufactured goods. There is a growing demand among the people of S a m for paints and varnishes for the decoration of their houses. These goods are not made in the country and the trade should be noted by manufacturers of these articles. The sending of catalogues and price lists to the leading importers in Bangkok is recommended, but a better means of gaining a business connection would undoubtedly be the visit of a representative.-M.
COTTON TRADE IN JAPAN The British Attach6 a t Yokohama writes, drawing attention to schemes which are being devised for the amalgamation on a large scale of the various cotton spinning interests in Japan with a view to consolidating the position of the cotton textile industry in that country and enabling the mills to retain their hold of British, -4merican and German goods which will, no doubt, supervene a t the close of the war. A firmer footing has been gained by Japanese manufacturers in many oriental markets which were considered to be the permanent markets of British or German spinners. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the financial position of the industry to retain this hold. iYot only spinning mills but weaving, printing, bleaching and dyeing mills will be included in the combination. One such amalgamation, it is said, will have a total of 540,000 spindles in operation. The report also states that the cotton industry is by far the best organized in Japan and that the amalgamation of these large concerns will certainly tend to reduce expenses and obviate needless competition.-M.
