Aug., 1913
T H E J O U R N A L OF I K D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
ceases, and passes under the influence of the compressed air, which, acting on the interior of the cell, dislodges the material from the filtering diaphragm in the cell being treated; and this solid material from the filtering process, after being thus partially dried, is taken away for the subsequent coking and gasifying process. The water withdrawn by the suction pump is always clear; the necessary motive power is quite small, and the dried material is obtained in the form of cakes or plates 2 or 3 mm. thick, a convenient form for further drying. The drum has a useful filtering surface of 25 square mrn. divided into 60 cells. The vacuum acts on 55 of these cells a t a time, while the compressed air acts on a cell at a time. Experience has shown that the distillation of the damp material, when used without the addition of coal, does not give as good results, either from the point of view of the calorific power of the gas obtained or of the ammoniacal residue, etc., as when dry material is used. It is, therefore, necessary to dry the caked material obtained from the rotary filter, using any of the various well-known types of drier, before gasification in retorts similar t o those used in ordinary gas making with coal. It has been found that, after 2 % hours of distillation, 100 kg. of sewage mud yields 23.8 cubic cm. of gas, of practically the same composition as t h a t obtained from coal, and the coke yield is of good quality and consistency; while, as regards ammonia, three times as much is obtained as t h a t usually yielded by an equal weight of coal. It is stated that, ih addition t o the value of the process in disposing of the sewage in a convenient and hygienic manner, the actual profit obtained from its operation has been found sufficient t o pay for the gas for working the purification process. It is, therefore, a n interesting development in modern sewage disposal practice, the future progress of which will be followed with interest by the authorities of many populous centers.
THE CAUCASIAN PETROLEUM INDUSTRY While obviously continuing t o decline in prosperity, owing to the systematic exhaustion of its long-drained oil fields, the activity of the Baku oil industry was, nevertheless, very marked during 1912 (Oil and Color Trades J . , 43, No. 766, 2173). The prices of oil reached record figures during the year, and these
1
prices were accompanied by an increase in production, owing to the greater activity exhibited by producers in boring new wells. The crude oil produced amounted to about j,jzs,Ooo tons as against about j,516,000tons in 191I . The total yield from new wells was about 890,322 tons. On the other hand, despite the increase in production, the petroleum consuming markets of Russia experienced a very great scarcity of oil throughout the year, and many consumers of liquid fuel were compelled to fall back on coal for fuel purposes-a very expensive measure, in view of the coal famine experienced throughout Russia during I 9 I 2. The exports of petroleum products from Batoum show a decrease of 49,546 tons on the 1911figures.
THE CONDITION OF THE SCOTTISH SHALE OIL INDUSTRY The position of the Scottish shale oil companies a t present is as follows:
Name of company Young’s.. . . . . . . . . . . Pumpherston and Tarbrax. . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . Oakbank... , . , . . . . . . Broxburn.. . . . . . . . . . . .
. ..
..
Dividend on ordinary Placed to shares depreciation, Per cent, in pounds
88,861
5
20,000
15 1 , 9 3 5 56,847 73,705
35 15 10
15,000 12,000 15,952
All the companies are reported to have ample reserve funds for new retorts and additions to refineries. The large Pumpherston Company, which took over the Tarbrax Company during 1912, has just had extensions made to its works a t Pumpherston, Mid-Calder, and plans to extend its crude oil works a t Seafield; all the crude oil from the plants a t Tarbrax, Seafield and Deans is conveyed by railway to the refinery at Pumpherston, which covers IOO acres. The paraffin section of the refinery is now undergoing development. New shale fields are being opened and the electrical power plant is of the latest type a t all the Scottish works. Operating costs are high, but profits are constantly being increased by adding to the output; it is said that present prices will be maintained. A t the Young’s works a cascade plant is to be erected in lieu of the present vitriol bottle house, and about $30,000 has been laid out recently on the replacement of vitriol chambers.
SCIENTIFIC SOCIE-TIES
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY-ROCHESTER MEETING The forty-eighth annual meeting of the American Chemical Society will be held in Rochester, New York, September 9th to 13th, inclusive. A meeting of the Council will be held on Monday night, September 8th, a t the Hotel Seneca, immediately following the complimentary dinner t o be given to the Council a t seven o’clock. The program will open with a general meeting on Tuesday a t I O A . M . , in the assembly hall a t Kodak Park. Members should make a special effort to be present a t this opening meeting, as it will not only be one of the most interesting meetings of the session, owing to the fact t h a t it will contain the general addresses, but the whole day will be one of special features, inasmuch as the members of the Society are t o be the guests of the Eastman Kodak Company a t luncheon following the morning meeting, and the afternoon will be spent in visiting the immense plant of the Eastman Kodak Company a t Kodak Park. This will be the only opportunity to visit the Eastman Kodak Company. As the company is making special efforts t o entertain the membership, it is hoped t h a t every member will endeavor t o be present a t this first session. There are already signs t h a t the meeting this September will be the largest t h a t the Society has ever held as a separate
Net profit, 1913, in pounds
1
organization, and it is probable t h a t from 700 to 1000 chemists will be present. -411 divisions will meet; and the biological section will be duly organized as a division, electing.its officers on Friday morning. A smoker will be held a t 8 . 3 0 P.M., Tuesday, in Masonic Hall. The divisional meetings on Wednesday, all day, and Thursday and Friday mornings, will be held in the Eastman Building, University of Rochester. The Presidept’s address will be given a t the East High School, Rochester, a t 8 P.M., Wednesday; and the subscription banquet, Thursday night, a t 7 P . M . , a t Powers’ Hotel. On Thursday and Friday afternoons excursions will be open to the following manufacturing plants: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Taylor Instrument Co., Curtice Bros. Co., J. Hungerford Smith Co., Moerlback Brewery,, German-American Button Co., Genessee Reduction Co., Municipal Incinerator. Stecker Lithographic Co., and possibly others. The local committee is made up as follows: GENERAL:V. J. Chambers, F. R. Baxter, H. E. Howe, Harry LeB. Gray, J. 0. Schlotterbeck, Ernest Little, J. E. Woodland, and the following chairmen of sub-committees: Finance, F. W. Lovejoy; Registrataon and Information, H. A. Carpenter; Arrangements, Ernest Little; Press, -4.E. Crockett:, Banquet,
