NEWS
144
News of t h e Universities MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
1
OF T E C H N O L O G Y
RUBBER. This belongs to the general class of amorphous materials and, in common with other members of the same classification, is not a s easily represented in a mathematical formulation of behavior as are the gaseous or crystalline sub stances. However, its industrial importance in t h e form of vul canized articles has made it the subject of considerable investiga tion. Despite the discovery of numerous facts about rubber, many of t h e reasons for its behavior are still obscure or require further clarification before t h e picture can be called completed. Furthermore, i t s relative cheapness makes it attractive as a chemical raw material. The recent announcement regarding t h e production of plastics from rubber emphasizes this latter point. A series of investigations on rubber is being carried on in a wellequipped rubber research laboratory by the Chemical Engineer ing Department. These investigations are following three general lines—i. e., study of the mecttanism of vulcanization and attending phenomena; study of the applicability of rubber as a chemical raw material; and study of rubber dispersions, such as raw and vulcanized latex. Much of this work has been made t h e subject of theses conducted by students in the department under the direct supervision of the department personnel. UNIVERSITY OF M I N N E S O T A
U N I T OPERATIONS. Fundamental studies of a number of unit operations are in progress in the Division of Chemical Engineer ing. In heat transfer, studies of steam film coefficients are being made and studies of coefficients in a n inclined tube evaporator are being continued. A study of t h e variables affecting crystal lization is under way in a small batch crystallizer. The study of filtration is being continued, particularly with regard to the vari ables affecting resistance of the c a k e and the development of filtration equations from a theoretical basis. Studies on dis tillation include the effect of variables on the plate efficiency of bubble cap columns and also a n investigation of packed columns. ELECTROCHEMISTRY. The researches in this group include studies of plating from various media, such as nonaqueous sol vents, thiosulfate baths, etc. Work on the plating of trimetallic alloys is being continued. Organic electrochemistry, particularly anodic oxidations, forms the subject of another research. LIGNITE. Fundamental studies o f lignite b y Lavine, Mann, and Gauger have led t o work on the utilization of this raw mate rial for making water g a s and hydrogen. Another investigation of the use of lignite in small gas producers for running tractors and trucks promises good results of interest to farmers. CELLULOSE. Studies of cellulose ester, such a s the benzoate, formate, and furoate, are under way with the idea of improving their method of production and utilization. T h e effect of light on cellulose and its derivatives is being studied with the view ultimately t o explaining such things a s the failure of lacquer films, the coloring of celluloid, and the deterioration of paper and textiles. A fundamental study of t h e hydration of cellulose is commencing which it is hoped will lead to a better understanding of what happens in a paper-mill beater. A research on the utiliza tion of aspen, which predominates in the second-growth timber of this section, for the production of alpha-cellulose promises inter esting results, which m a y lead to a new source of this rayon material and an outlet for the farmers of what has hitherto been a useless product. The utilization of waste sulfite liquor is the sub ject of another research of interest t o the paper industry of the ZEOLITES. Studies of the mechanism of zeolite water-soften ing are being continued. Other researches in this group concern the mechanism of drying of zeolites and their use as absorbents. MISCELLANEOUS. Numerous other researches are under way, among which m a y be mentioned corrosion studies, organic in hibitors of corrosion, pyrolysis of certain organic esters, thixotropy and viscosity, especially with regard to paints, and a study of the combustibles in cinders. YALE REDUCTION O F IRON O R E S .
UNIVERSITY One of the studies under way in
the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yale is a funda mental study of the rate of reduction of iron ores. The vari ables to be studied are gas velocity, particle size, temperature, gas composition, and character of ore. At the present time the study is being largely confined to t h e effect of gas velocity and particle size. T h e data gathered o n small size ores (through 6 on 10 mesh) show t h a t t h e rate o f the last stage of reduction (ferrous oxide t o metallic iron) is a linear function of the gas velocity, though the relation is not o n e of direct proportionality. » We are indebted to Omega Chi Epsilon, honorary chemical engineer ing society, for these notes.
EDITION
Vol. 11, No. 9
K I N E T I C S AND R A T E S OP G A S VELOCITY.
A S a corollary to this
work, one of t h e groups of graduate students is making a study of the kinetics and rates of t h e reaction C 0 2 + C = 2CO. T h e data used for the study are those which can be found in the litera ture i n t h e studies on gas producers. ELIMINATION OF S U L F U R I N PRODUCER G A S .
One of the seniors
in chemical engineering has as his project a study of the elimina tion of sulfur in producer gas b y coating the fuel particles w i t h a heat-resisting white wash. Only a few preliminary runs have been made, but for these runs 75 per cent of the sulfur in t h e gas was eliminated b y white-washing the fuel. DETERMINATION
OF LIQUID-VAPOR
EQUILIBRIUM
COMPOSI
TION D A T A . Another graduate research problem which is being started is the determination of t h e liquid-vapor equilibrium com position data for binary organic systems for which the data are not now known. Probably several of the systems of organic solvents will be studied and t h e equilibrium data will b e cor related with data obtained from the operation of a semiplant scale rectifying column.
S U M M E R W O R K I N M I C R O S C O P Y AT C O R N E L L C O U R S E S IN CHEMICAL MICROSCOPY will be offered at Cornell
University during the coming summer session, which begins on July 10 and continues for six weeks. The work will be the full equivalent of that given during the regular term, but persons not desiring university credit m a y arrange to cover, in a shorter time, those portions that best meet their needs. The methods and principles of microscopical procedures applicable to chemical problems will be presented, and a course in inorganic micro scopical qualitative analysis will also be given; these courses may be taken together. T h e schedule is planned so that other courses in t h e department m a y be attended, if desired. In quiries should be addressed to C. W. Mason, Baker Laboratory, Ithaca, Ν . Υ.
ANNUAL
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
INSPECTION
TRIP
A G R O U P of fifty-seven advanced and graduate students of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Ohio State University, left Columbus, M a y 1, on t h e twenty-seventh annual chemical engineering (eastern) inspection trip under t h e direction of James R. Withrow, chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Assistant Professor Joseph H. Koffolt. T h e y visited plants in Rittman, Barberton, Akron, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, Rochester, N e w York, Grasselli, N . J., Wilmington, Del., Baltimore, M d . , and Pittsburgh, Pa., giving special attention to their diversified industries. The party was met by alumni in many of the plants en route. The group returned to Columbus, M a y 6.
DIRECTORY OF P U R D U E A L U M N I I N CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
A DIRECTORY—"Purdue Alumni in Chemical Industries"—has been published b y the Purdue University chapter of Phi Lambda Upsilon, honorary chemical society. The directory gives all available information as to t h e locations and positions of all chemical engineering graduates and of those graduates of other schools of the university who have gone into chemical work. Phi Lambda Upsilon intends to undertake biennial publication of the directory. It is being distributed to alumni and others interested for 2 5 cents per copy. T h e work of compiling and editing the directory was done by C. E . Beck and R. H. Imes.
H . S. T A Y L O R A W A R D E D M E N D E L M E D A L VILLANOVA
COLLEGE announces the award of the
Mendel
Medal to Hugh Stott Taylor, chairman of the Chemistry D e partment, Princeton University. T h e presentation w a s made by t h e Reverend Edward V. Stanford, O.S.A., president of Villanova, at a faculty dinner. In 1929, Villanova established t h e Mendel Medal to com memorate t h e biological studies of Abbot Gregor Mendel. The medal is awarded annually t o Catholics who have achieved dis tinction in promoting the cause of science.
Low
R E C E I V E S J.
T.
BAKER
FELLOWSHIP
T H E J. T . B A K E R CHEMICAL C O . Eastern Analytical Research
Fellowship for 1933-34 has been awarded to G. W. Low, Jr., graduate of Princeton University, 1931. Mr. Low will engage in analytical investigations at Princeton University.
