I/EC Forecast POINTING
THE E D I T O R I A L
FINGER
Better Corrosion Inhibitors Research work in which new acetylenic compounds were evaluated as acid inhibitors may point the way toward the development of better corrosion inhibitors (page 825). Starting with propargyl alcohol, Dow Chemical Co. researchers tried systematic substitution of each reactive site in the molecule. T h e n tests were conducted to determine how the substitution affected corrosion inhibition. O n e conclusion: T h e triple bond is the focal point of inhibitory action. This field holds promise of an additional market for acetylenic chemicals.
AT T O M O R R O W ' S
PROGRESS
for some time to come, look for new commercial applications of lithium compounds. Certain lithium compounds behave like "perfect" solutes—they will dissolve in anything-—organic, inorganic, acid, or base. Some lithium compounds also show a surprising ability to solubilize other compounds—for example, phosphates. Lithium7 has possibilities as a liquid heat exchange coolant in fusion reactors and might be considered for use in nuclear-powered planes. Aircraft structural members can be made more heat resistant by using aluminum-lithium alloys. And rounding out the possible future, there are unrealized possibilities for use of lithium compounds in ceramics.
A N e w Chemical Complex? Vast mountains of coal wastes—muck—in the Pennsylvania coal region may one day soon be transformed into a new chemical complex. This prospect becomes a definite possibility with the announcement by the Philadelphia and Reading Corp. and General Dynamics of a joint venture to turn coal wastes into major chemicals and gases. T h e plant of Dynamics Reading Chemicals, Inc.,—the proposed joint subsidiary—would be made up of three major parts. T h e first would be a large power plant burning the wastes. T h e second would be a Lurgi-type gasification and purification unit for making some basic chemicals from the wastes, and the third would be an electric furnace in which limestone and anthracite would be used to make carbide-acetylene.
Continuous Fermentation Processes Apply chemical kinetics to batch fermentation processes and you have a logical approach to making the process continuous (page 809). Deindoerfer and H u m p h r e y of T h e University of Pennsylvania have tried the new method on a yeast fermentation process. Their results show that it can be used in designing multistage systems for fermentation processes. There is one complicating factor. Unlike chemicals, some cells often develop genetic variations, which may change the kinetics of the reaction and lead to a complete washout of the system.
Spotlight on Lithium With government stockpiles of lithium adequate
Tougher Rubber A new type of rubber may soon be giving you up to one third greater tire mileage. T h e General Tire & Rubber Co. has developed a process for fusing a new ultrafine carbon black with the rubber while it is at the latex or liquid stage. Carbon black, a reinforcing agent, greatly increases the abrasion resistance of rubber. In General's process, the carbon black is "steamwhipped" with great force into the latex. T h e blend is then coagulated and dried.
More Cotton per Acre A process of feeding plants through their leaves, first developed for the pineapple growers of Hawaii, may soon revolutionize farming. T h e idea of adapting the process to cotton growing is a recent development. Theory on which successful tests were conducted is based on the fact that a critical period is reached in plant growth when the roots cannot supply sufficient nutrients to maintain growth. As a result the plant sheds and the potential yield is reduced. New process uses a special blend of chemicals which can be sprayed on the plants to minimize this loss. Added feature is that the fertilizer can be mixed with any standard insecticide and both processes accomplished with one spraying. Cost is low—additional 20 pounds of cotton per acre will yield 100% return on investment. Other successful applications to date—tomato and pepper plants. VOL. 5 1 , N O . 7
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JULY 1959
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