Oct., 1922
THE JOURNAL OF I&-DUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
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NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE R Criticism of the Technical Press Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineerzng Chenaistry: A shortcoming of the chemical press of to-day is the lack of forceful, constructive criticism of the profession. The technical journals ably expound to the layman the value, achievements, and necessity of chemical control and research in industry, and in this we must admit they do a great service t o the chemist. But this i s only a part of their duty. They should clearly and persistently point out to the chemist his own weaknesses and the pitfalls that surround him. To trust this self-analysis to the individual chemist is asking too much of human nature. We are none of us prone to search out our faults, but it is wholesome and necessary that they be pointed out to us. You have in your JOURNAL an interesting and valuable department-“The Earning Power of Research.” I would suggest another department under some such title as “Business Mistakes of Chemists,” frankly devoted to picking apart and criticizing the activities of the average chemist in industry, which should have a cumulative effect in maintaining high standards of effectiveness in the profession. Another duty of the technical magazine is education. The average chemist is unaware that his education is incomplete in the details of business. The chemical laboratory, whether research or testing, presents in miniature all the administrative and executive problems of the industrial plant. I t s raw materials are reagents and chemicals, its finished product, service or information. All the industrial problems are met here, whether the force consists of two or thirty-buying, storage and control of raw materials, securing, training, and development of competent workers, upkeep of equipment, maintenance of quality, and quantity of production. The problems of merchandizing also enter in. Is the product of the highest attainable quality, and does it meet in an adequate way the customer’s special needs (the “customer” being of course the firm, department, or man making use of the results)? Is it properly presented and explained? Viewed in this light, the operation of a laboratory a t its greatest efficiency for commercial purposes, requires, besides mastery of the principles and technic or the science involved, application of the basic principles of economics and psychology, business instinct, and attention to business detail. Chemists do not study and apply as extensively as they might the excellent works available in efficiency and business management. It would be to their advantage to do so, for the man who really can, and knows he can, make every dollar.invested produce the maximum result in any line of endeavor is never without a job. Further, he is the type of man most justified in going into business for himself. The technical magazine should call attention to books on these subjects, publish articles dealing with the application of sound economic principles to the chemist’s daily work, and investigate and endorse, or even institute, if necessary, suitable correspondence courses for instruction in these subjects. The technical journal can render a further service in the cultivation of morale. The chemist is perhaps a little too ready to bewail his lot when things do not suit him, and instead of being discouraged in this attitude by the technical press, he is led to feel that his services are not appreciated. Granting some basis of truth in this, it is surely not a healthy viewpoint to adopt, nor one that can lead to real progress. The technical journal can be of assistance here by trying to inculcate a forward-looking viewpoint which makes light of difficulties and brings success in its wake. This is no time for the chemist to repine. The pres-
ent era of close competition, which will probably last for a period of years, is his golden opportunity to prove his worth as a money saver and money maker. But, like everyone else, he must be prepared to work harder than before. The captious may comment that seemingly all that is further necessary to bring the technical journal up to date is the adoption of a pretty-girl cover, a woman’s page, and a bed-time story, but I sincerely believe that the chemist in industry will look more and more to the technical press for guidance and inspiration as well as for technical information. The time is past when a mere bound file of proceedings and technical reports and papers will fully serve his needs. I believe that a technical journal working strongly along these or similar lines would in a few years exert an enormous influence for the better on the morale, efficiency, and prosperity of the chemical profession. HUGOV. HANSEN 45 NORTH SPRING ST. BLOOMFIELD, N. J. June 15, 1922
The Continuous Countercurrent Lixiviation of Charred Kelp Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: The article on “The Continuous Countercurrent Lixiviation of Charred Kelp,” by J. W. Turrentine and P. S. Shoaff, in THIS JOURNAL, 14 (1921), 605, offers excellent opportunity for application of the theory of discontinuous extraction developed in THISJOURNAL, 9 (1917), 866. The data given in the article, together with other figures on the water content in the filter cakes-kindly furnished by the authors-make it possible to compare the ratio of KC1 to water in the solutions with those in the corresponding filter cakes. In Filter Cake 1 the ratio of KC1 t o water was 37.6 to 100, while in Brine 1, supposed to have been in equilibrium with the filter cake, the ratio was only 30.2 to 100, showing that there was some undissolved KCl in the first filter cake, or, what is just as bad, the solution remaining in the cake was of higher concentration than that removed by filtration In the same way it was found that the ratio of KCl to water in Filter Cake 2 was 10.6 t o 100 and in Brine 2, 10 to 100, showing that the solution was not quite complete even after the second treatment. By the theory of discontinuous extraction, undissolved solute after the first treatment decreases the efficiency of the process, and this process could, therefore, have been improved by better mixing or higher temperature in Agitator 1. This note is not offered as adverse criticism of Turrentine’s process, but simply as an example of a method of studying discontinuous extraction processes t o determine where improvement can be made. In this particular process the solvent ratios are so high and the general efficiency so good that these considerable quantities of KC1 undissolved after the first treatment probably do not affect the recovery by more than a few tenths of a per cent, but in many processes such undissolved solute might seriously decrease the recoveries. It would be inadvisable to finish this note without explaining why a discontinuous extraction theory is applied t o a process called continuous. The explanation is that the process is really a typical discontinuous, countercurrent extraction, but instead
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of taking the space to prove this assertion we will leave it as a problem for those of your readers who are interested in the theory of extraction. Here is a paradox. In an extraction process the raw materials enter and the finished products leave the system continuously, and all the intermediate products are constantly in motion, and yet the process is dzscontinuous, countercurrent extraction. I,. F. HAWLEY, In Charge Section of Derived Products
Vol. 14,-No. 10
Chemists Storm the Capitol Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry:
On August 16, 1922, twenty-six research, operating, and analytical chemists, representing sixteen different synthetic organic chemical plants, mustered up courage enough t o present without other support their side of the embargo question to the arbiters of the tariff a t Washington. “A horde” Senator Moses FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY called us on the floor of the Senate. I presume, however, MADISON, WISCONSIN we should be grateful for even that public recognition-it is July 27, 1922 one of the few that chemists, as such, have had. .......... Sunday, August 13, the outlook for the embargo seemed particularly black. Since its failure would mean t o the country the irreparable loss of the industry and to us the equally serious Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: loss of our jobs, Messrs. Orelup, Schepmoes, and myself, in disWith reference to the communication of Dr. I,. F. Hawley, cussing the matter on that day, concluded that we had little t o permit me to say that when a process in which the raw mate- lose and everything to gain by organizing a group of men simirials are being added continuously, the intermediate products are larly situated to present the chemists’ side of the organic chemical in motion continuously, the extraction up t o the point where tariff in Washington. The time was too short for long explanations, but we felt equilibrium exists between solid and solvent takes place continuously, the finished products are discharged continuously, and certain the cause was so good that but few men would be unwhich is in practical operation continuously, is yet discontinuous, willing t o risk the relatively small cost of the trip in the hope it might be contended that the definition is more open to critiof doing something to save their industry and positions. All cism than the process. honor to those men who joined us, but we were sadly discourJ. W. TURRENTINE aged in a great number of cases. Some who would not join us felt that the chemists would not know enough about the EXPBRIMENTAL K E L P POTASH P L A N T SUMMERLAND, CALIFORNIA situation to be effective, or would be ignored. Fancy! After long years of arduous training and an average of several years of practical experience, we are still uncertain of our abilities to meet men and present our ideas! As for being ignored, it is a rare public representative indeed that desires to avoid his conLarger Quantities of Creatine Available stituency, much less dares to! As a matter of fact, we had not only an interesting and inEditor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: structive visit, but we most certainly aided in the accomplishIt should interest biological and pharmaceutical chemists to ment of our ends. Senator Frelinghuysen graciously aided us learn that creatine, heretofore obtainable only in gram lots a t a in arranging interviews with the President, Secretary Hoover, price of several dollars a gram, is now available in much larger and with the other members of the Senate Finance Committee. We interviewed Senators Edge, McCumber, McLean, Watson, quantities. A source of this material has been discovered which, while not unlimited, is capable of yielding a t least some hundreds Calder, Lenroot, Sterling, Shortridge, Capper, Fletcher, Sheppard, Nicholson, McCormick, and Borah, and quite evidently of pounds of pure creatine a year. In order that research workers may be able to benefit by this influenced several former embargo opponents in favor of the Bursum Amendment than pending. discovery, a considerable quantity of pure creatine has been preAt least partly as a result of our plea, Senator Ransdell not pared, and will shortly be available through regular supply only voted for the Bursum Amendment but also made a speech houses a t a fraction of one per cent of its present price. in favor of it. Probably the most interesting result of our visit It is hoped that this new source of creatine may aid materially in extending our knowledge of this and related substances, as was the outcome of our long talk with Senator Borah, who the quantity now available should permit research in this field promised a vote in favor of an embargo t o be long enough to along the lines of nutrition, pharmacy, and synthetic organic reestablish the industry, if our contention proved true-that chemistry, as well as biochemistry, without exorbitant expense. two months of the then tariff (without the Bursum Amendment) The writer will be glad to give further details to anyone inter- would put us out of business. One thitlg our visit made plain-that legislation is accomested. GRAHAM EDGAR plished by far different means than research along chemical lines. From our talk with one senator it was quite plain that uncorUNIVERSITY OR VIRGINIA rected misstatements had been made on the floor about our UNIVERSITY, VA. August 25, 1922 industry, and that the actual situation was little appreciated except among those already favorable to the measure. It was obvious that, not only was it not undesirable for such a party of individuals to press its case, but that it would be absolutely fatal not to, for without “lobbying” of a sort proper legislation could Correction not be obtained. Finally, I hope that some of your readers will send to the ConOn page 745 of the August issue of THISJOURNAL, change the heading “Society of Chemical Industry Reports” to read “Chem1 The members of the party were: A. P. Beardsley, James Brown, ical Society (London) Reports.” Also make the following E. E. Hartmann, J J. Johnson, P. V. Rosenvelt, H. A. Van Brocklin, L. I,. Perry, J. W. Orelup, F. A. Novotny, R . W. Feder, C. H . Schepmoes, W. W. change in the first line of the text: Delete the words “Society of Chemical Industry” and substitute “Chemical Society (London),” Weck, Wllliam Goldstein, W. A. Lucas, L. M. Shafer, N. R. Viera, C. Hamilton Merrill, R. E . B. Richards, C. A. Swan, E. G. Parker, A. C. making that portion of the sentence read: “The Council of the Wintringham, W. H. Van Winkle, M. T. Coakley, T.B. Clendenning, and Chemical Society (London) is prepared to offer, etc.” L. C. Ohlsson
Oet., 1922
gressional Record Office, The Capitol, Washington, for copies (at about 10 cents each) of that very interesting publication of August 17 and 18, where on pages 12,537 and 12,576 will be found the debate on the Bursum Amendment. Let them not fail to read the words of Senator Moses on page 12,542: “I suppose, Mr. President, the way to become a chemist in this country is to put a label in your lapel.” Then let them ponder how far the chemist in this country has, yet t o go t o find his place in the sun, and how much personal effort each must put forth to do it. A. J. PASTENE CHEMICAL COMPANY O F A M E R I C A SPXIXGFIELD, N. J. August 25, 1922
Canadian Letter By T. Lindsay Crossley 208 KINGST., WEST, TORONTO, CANADA
Canadian industries using heavy chemicals are buying in larger quantities, and while this business has not by a large margin reached the volume hoped for, the improvement in the last five months has been marked Canada seems to be popular as a summer meeting place. These visitors are not only welcome, but they are an inspiration to good fellowship. Last month we had the Chemical Engineers and the Leather Chemists. Ere this appears, the American Ceramic Society will have been with us, and the American Electrochemical Society will visit Montreal and Shawinigan, September 21 to 23. They will see one of our best examples of industrial development in the St. Maurice Valley, due to the magnificent water powers of the St. Maurice River at Shawinigan and Grand Mere, developing about 226,000 h. p. a t both places, with a third power of about the same amount, not developed, a t Les Gres below Shawinigan. Grand Mere is a pulp, paper, and power town controlled by the Laurentide Company. Shawinigan has pulp and paper mills, carbide, electrometallurgical and aluminium works, foundry, cotton mills, and technical school. Here was developed the biological process for acetic acid, and here were made special aluminium alloys for aeroplane construction, and the first commercial magnesium in America. The Canadian Institute of Chemistry is planning an active program for the fall and winter, and is rapidly becoming a factor in the scientific development of the country. It is said that one reason for the lack of public attention to the work of chemists is t h a t chemists themselves do not cooperate and are not found mingling with the folks in the market place. With a view to meeting this criticism in some small measure, the chemists of Toronto have inaugurated an informal luncheon club, meeting every Monday a t the Engineers’ Club, where questions of general interest are discussed and from time to time action by various organizations may be suggested. This has already been found of practical value. Some discussion has been aroused by a proposal made during the Ottawa convention to adopt the word “chernor” as applying to consulting, analytical, or engineering chemists, to avoid the confusion arising from the @ea, perhaps more prevalent in British communities, that chemist is synonymous with retail druggist. In fact, some provincial legislation in Canada makes the pharmacist the only person legally defined as a chemist. Hence the suggested new appellation to bring the distinctionlto public notice. August 2, 1922
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The Plant Manager and the Chemist Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: I cannot allow Mr. George L. O’Brien’s criticisms of the chemist in THISJOURNAL, 14 (1922), 650, to pass unanswered. Chemists, like other people, are neither perfect nor infallible and their ideas are not always practicable, neither are those of any manager I have known. Mr. O’Brien would make of the chemist the “catalytic agent” or go-between of about everything that transpires in the plant and community, yet without authority. If i t were possible t o fill such a position, 1 can scarcely see what occasion there would be for a manager. A man of such parts would be discredited for holding a subordinate position. It is as important for a manager to know management as i t is for a chemist to know chemistry. Believe me, I have seen some managers who were out of place. Chemists, with slight exceptions, are conscientious workers, but in the business of management I have seen many examples of a betrayal of trust. Often there has been, and is yet, a lack of cooperation between the management and the chemist. The manager does not know how to make the best use of his chemist and he is often suspicious of the man who has new and original ideas. The time is rapidly approaching when the chemical industry will be managed by chemical engineers, as it should be. I have one important criticism to make of the manager. Generally speaking, he expects to pay a chemist a clerk’s salary, and too often, I regret to say, he gets away with i t because the chemist is willing to take a position which he is led to believe promises a “future.” A chemist is always a t a disadvantage in looking for a position. It is not a popular profession and not many chemists are wanted. Chemistry lies a t the foundation of all life and being, and its pursuit requires special natural qualifications, consistent, hard, and conscientious endeavor. The chemist is not above criticism but he should be dealt with in a kindly sympathetic spirit of encouragement. Mr. O’Brien concludes his criticism with a very high compliment to the chemist when he says, “much of the progress of civilization rests with him,” and that, “his activities are of such great importance that modern industrial manufacture without his help is unthinkable.” MT. HOPE FINISHING COMPANY NORTHDIGHTON,MASS. July 29, 1922 ’
MARTINL. GRIFFIN,Chewist
Figures Talk The registration, by states, of those present a t the Pittsburgh meeting of the A. C. S. was as follows: Alabama Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana
1 2 4 3
Maine 3 Maryland 30 Massachusetts 47 Michigan 25 14 Minnesota 10 16 Mississippi 3 Missouri 11 62 Nebraska 2 2 New Hampshire 2 69 New Jersey 38 20 New Mexico 1 11 New York 150 5 North Dakota 1 2 Ohio 159 7 Oklahoma 1 TOTAL REGISTRATION1362
Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Canada England Cuba
1 682
1 2 4 1 2 10 2 21 25
6 2 2
Studies of the effects of sulfides on animals are being made a t the Bureau of Mines Experiment Station, Pittsburgh, Pa., by a number of consulting physiologists, including Yandell Henderson, Howard W. Haggard, C. W. Mitchell, and W. P. Yant.
