EQUIPMENT
System Inspects Glass-Epoxy Rocket Chambers Nondestructive system uses corona, beta ray, eddy current, and microwaves to test for structural soundness At month's end, Magnaflux Corp. shipped a 36-ft. nondestructive testing system for filament-wound rocket motor chambers to Aerojet-General in Sacramento, Calif. The system—first of its kind, according to Magnaflux— incorporates complete facilities for testing the glassfilament-woundchambers. The equipment, developed by technical teams at the Chicago firm, a subsidiary of Champion Spark Plug, in cooperation with Aerojet-General, will be put to immediate use in determining structural soundness of Polaris A-3 motor chambers. However, W. E. Thomas, president of Magnaflux, says that the system is expected to provide other industries with a new technology for testing future nonmetallic products fabricated in a similar way. Filamentwound structures, for example, are finding use as storage tanks and as tank cars. Magnaflux produces a wide range of nondestructive testing equipment, primarily for metals. It also offers materials evaluation services through a
STRUCTURALLY SOUND.
nationwide network of materials testing laboratories. The system, called CEBM, uses corona, eddy current, beta radiation, and microwave techniques to check the Polaris cases manufactured by AerojetGeneral. Fixtures for corona, beta radiation, and microwave testing are mounted on a 35 ft. 9 in. by 6 ft. 1 in. by 6 ft. 4 in. carriage assembly. The fixtures automatically test structural soundness, measure resin-to-glass ratios, and measure wall thickness on small areas of the case. The separate eddy current instrument, which is portable, measures thickness of the rubber insulation inside the case. The carriage holds the A-3 motor case, one of the largest glass-epoxy structures employed in a ballistic missile, and maneuvers it so that a twoman team can test the entire chamber in less than eight hours. To scan the surface (containing one million miles of glass filaments), the carriage rotates the case at 1.04 to 4.16 r.p.m. and moves it transversely at 9.7 in. tp 4.2 in. per minute.
Three Systems. Magnaflux developed various techniques to study the difficult-to-test glass-epoxy materials. The fixture using corona technique applies 30,000 volts, nominal root mean square (effective) voltage, between the inside and outside of the case wall. Any gas entrapped in a bubble or void ionizes as it passes through the electric field. The corona gives off a wide-spectrum discharge of electromagnetic energy which is detected and recorded outside the case. To apply the electric field for corona, Magnaflux uses two 6-in. neoprene wheels, one inside the case and one outside, each filled with a high quality transformer oil such as a silicone. A fluorocarbon fluid on the wheels fills surface irregularities on the case so that no coronas form there. The microwavefixturedetects voids, delaminations, or bubbles by measuring effective dielectric constant of the wall material. Microwave signals of 12 to 18 kilomegacycles pass through the wall to a passive reflector mounted on the boom outside the case. A flaw
An
engineer at the instrument console begins the test cycle of the CEBM Polaris A-3 motor testing system. The boom at the right supports the passive reflector for microwave testing
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new Patent Nas. 2,337,849 2,918,208
WELCH No. 1377A
Ultra High Vacuum Pumping System 140 Liters per Second
Ultimate Vacuum 1 x 1 0 * mm Hg (Torr)
WITH CONSTANT SPEED, OVER WIDE PRESSURE RANGE The new Welch 1377A Turbo-Molecular Pumping System produces an ultimate vacuum of 1 x 10 9 mm Hg (Torr) and better; constant speed of 140 liters per second, over a range of 1 x lO-2 to 1 x 1(H mm Hg (Torr). The clean, vapor-free Turbo-Molecular Pump is combined with the well known Welch Duo-Seal 1397 two-stage mechanical pump, providing a com* pletely assembled and tested pump* ing system, ready for use. A d v a n c e d e s i g n of t h e T u r b o Molecular Pump permits the use of an air slit ten times the size of previous designs and greatly reduces r i s k of d a m a g e by i m p a c t , h e a t expansion and dirt particles.
TYPICAL USES: • Evacuation of power tubes and X-ray tubes. • Solid state research. • Semi conductor production* • Thin film metallizing. • Purification of metals. • Optic coating. The Welch 1377A is particularly useful in processes involving separation of materials or isotopes with different molecular weights, as in particle acceleration work. Send for Bulletin 1377A
TODAY! I SINCE I THE WELCH SCIENTIFIC COMPANY H880I foremost manufacturers pf scientific equipment 1515 Sedgwick St., Dept. 912, Chicago 10, III.
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causes a change in the amplitude or phase of the reflected wa\ne. Filtering the reflected signal picks out these changes. Microwave and beta ray detection systems operate simultaneously throughout the test cycle. Beta ray backscattering measures density of the chamber skin. The system uses a strontium-90 source. Beta rays penetrate an area of the chamber skin 1 in. in diameter to a depth of 0.040 in. A fraction of the rays are reflected instead of absorbed. Since atomic numbers of elements in the glass and the epoxy resin differ, coefficients of reflection differ. Magnaflux calibrates the test system with samples of known glass-to-resin ratio, and thus can locate resin-rich or resin-starved areas. Glass-to-resin ratios are critical because resin-starved areas can result in bond failure, filament chafing, and low strength. Magnaflux supplied the CEBM system with a portable eddy current instrument. This hand-held instrument measures thickness of the rubber insulation built into the chamber's domeshaped end plates. It uses a coil within a probe to detect changes in electric field. Defects Marked. If a case wall defect is found by corona, microwave, or beta ray systems, an audible alarm sounds. The CEBM system automatically marks the spot with colored chalk. Facsimile recorders record any defect by plotting it relative to chamber position. The CEBM nondestructive testing system is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of more powerful rockets. Reducing the possibility of flight failures caused by structural defects may lead to greater payload and range. In the case Aerojet-General supplied for testing, the CEBM system found all the defects deliberately prepared.
Centrifugal Dust Collector Features New Cone Design A cone design which assures even distribution of dust over a flowing water film is being used by American Air Filter Co. in its new line of wet centrifugal dust collectors. Known as the Type R Roto-Clone, the unit has already found application in foundries, fertilizer and abrasive-cleaner plants, and in conjunction with fluid bed and rotating dryers, according to Henning E. Soderberg, supervising
sales engineer for the Louisville firm. The heart of the Roto-Clone is a series of double-inlet tubes. Each tube consists of three parts—an inlet cone below which is a cylindrical section that fits over a smaller cone at the bottom. This provides an outlet for the clean air. The inlet cone is 46 in. high, has a diameter of 21 in. at the base, and tapers somewhat toward the top. It has two inlets in the form of two slots which are diametrically placed and run vertically the full height of the cone. These slots are baffled so that air entering the cone through them is directed into a spiral motion. Water flows into the top of the inlet cone and is carried to the inner wall by the high velocity, dust-laden air spiraling through the slots. The dust particles impinge against the wetted peripheral surfaces and are removed in the water. The even distribution of the dust over the entire inner surface of the cone enables the unit to operate with good efficiency at lower water requirements than are normal for conventional collectors. Each tube has a nominal rating of 4500 cu. ft. per minute. Tubes can be combined, in parallel, in almost any number, to give units with capacities of u p to 108,000 cu. ft. per minute. In the collectors, the tubes are assembled in a three-compartment housing consisting of collection section, water eliminator, and clean-air , plenum. During operation, water flowing from the collectors may contain as much as 10% solids. Mr. Soderberg says that this water may be re-used, after settling, since there are no nozzles or valves that could clog. The Type R Roto-Clone, according to American Air Filter, offers advantages such as no water in suspension, no moving parts, low water requirements, small space requirements, and low cost. The units contain no static water; when they are turned off all water drains from them automatically. They take from 2 to 2 1 / 2 gal. of water per 1000 cu. ft. per minute, or about 10 gal. per minute for each of the basic tubes. Other wet-type dust collectors may require u p to 4 gal. per 1000 cu. ft. per minute, American Air Filter says. Space requirements, the company adds, are less than half those for earlier systems, and cost is about two thirds that of more conventional collectors. E 30
Metal a n d t e x t i l e c o a t i n g s : Celanese Methyl Formcel produces clear, stable methylated urea and methylated melamine resins for textile treating. Butyl Formcel is the choice for butylated urea resins for metal coatings.
H o w C e l a n e s e F o r m c e l s simplify resin production for m e t a l a n d textile coatings Celanese Methyl and Butyl Formcels speed production and obtain substantially greater yields when processing involves combinations of formalin and alcohol. In fact, for producers of urea/melamine formaldehyde resins, using Celanese Formcel solutions is almost like owning a larger kettle. Formcels give faster processing time because there's usually no need to strip off water—saving perhaps 30 minutes in a five hour reaction. But eliminating dehydration is only one way that Formcels simplify produc-
tion. No alcohol recovery is necessary . . . one storage tank is eliminated along with a quality check. And no elevated temperatures are needed for the storage of Formcels. What's more, higher solids content can be obtained with Formcels-especially desirable with increasing use of resins above 50% of solids. Celanese, one of the world's largest, most experienced producers of all four forms of formaldehyde, will gladly help you make the best and most economical use of Formcels.
Write Celanese Chemical Company, Dept. 554-H, 522 Fifth Avenue, New York 36, N. Y. Celanese? 1
Formcel©
Canadian Affiliate: Canadian Chemical Company Limited, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver Export Sales: Amcel Co., Inc., and Pan Amcel Co.. Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New York 36
a division t f Celanese Corporation of America
Automatic Osmometer Has Built-in Recorder
Agricultural and Food Chemistry
YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S NEW AND WHAT TO EXPECTin chemical materials and methods, trends and developments in food processing and agricultural chemistry
Moreover, you will find ideas that may help you solve specific problems, evolve new processes or methods, save money, avoid the costly errors of "blind-alley" research. How? By keeping up with the significant new technical developments in these fields through the pages of the JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY. You will learn about the effects of various chemicals on dairy products, fruits, grains, meats, poultry, seafoods and vegetables as they relate to flavors—odors—discoloration—preservation —tenderness— nutritional value—deterioration—fallout factors of Strontium-90 and Cesium-137 in plant and animal tissues foodstuffs analysis—characterization of essential oils—fermentation effectiveness of pesticides—insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides—residue factors—at. tractants — toxicology studies — additives — flavor effects plant nutrients and regulators—growth stimulators—fertilizer technology—effects on nutrition, soils, storage radiation preservation—adulteration detection —off flavors—beverage preservation—additives—stilbestrol effects—and many others.
This is just a partial listing of the many topics covered. These stimulating, idea-provoking original papers are MUST reading for agronomists, bacteriologists, biochemists, biologists, chemists, entomologists, nutritionists, research directors and technical management concerned with chemicals used in agriculture and food processing of all types. Put this solidly technical, bimonthly journal to
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C & E N AUG. 5, 196 3
work for you. Use the handy form below to order your subscription today.
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An automatic osmometer that carries out a molecular-weight test in about 10 min. has been introduced by Hallikainen Instruments, Berkeley, Calif. Manufactured under license from Shell Development Co., the instrument gains speed by use of a null-seeking servo-mechanism to balance the pressures across the membrane that divides the solvent/sample cell in two. Conventional osmometers, which gage cell pressures with capillary tubes, require from 30 min. to several hours to carry out a test, Shell points out. The instrument also features a built-in chart recorder and a countertype indicator that shows osmotic pressure to hundredths of a centimeter. The sample inlet system is valved so as to avoid manual volume measurement of each sample used. The test cell contains not only a semipermeable membrane to separate sample from solvent, but also a pressure-sensitive diaphragm set into the sample end of the cell. Flow through the membrane, registered as movement of this diaphragm, is transmitted to a null-seeking servo system, Shell explains. The servo system controls solvent flow into and out of the solvent end of the cell. When flow ceases, the differential pressure across the membrane is the osmotic pressure, and the test is complete. Intended for use in high-polymer research, the automatic osmometer has a range of from — 1 to + 9 cm. solvent head. While the standard model is designed for operation at 35° C , a conversion kit is available to permit operation at 135° C. as well. Under development is a second model, for biochemical work, that resists the corrosive effects of salty body fluids. E31
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Water filtration without pneumatic or mechanical flow controls and without most consoles, gages, and valves is offered by the Greenleaf filter designed by Infilco, Inc., Tucson, Ariz. It consists of multiple rapid sand gravity filters arranged around a central core. All flow controls are included in the core thus enabling the operator to control all of them from one station, according to Infilco. The core also contains a vacuum system to initiate and
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Toward the Solution of a National Problem Recent studies by both public and private agencies highlight a grave national problem. Simply stated, its elements are these. Present sources of potable water are inadequate t o meet the needs of a growing America. Widespread pollution is reducing a minimal supply. T h e effluents of a wide variety of industrial plants needlessly compound this problem, since contaminants in outgoing process waters m a y be removed economically. Brown & Root has had considerable experience in this field, and examines each plant on the basis of its specifics. A typical
approach includes: a determination of t h e characteristics of incoming water, an evaluation of its proper use, an analysis of the effluent, a n d a recommendation for its distribution. Brown & Root is an engineer a n d constructor, a n d n o t a manufacturer. I t s recommendations are unbiased and based solely upon t h e most economical a n d workable solution t o each individual industrial situation. For complete information address t h e Engineering Division at Houston.
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HIGH TEMPERATURE MICROSCOPY WITH THE REICHERT;
VACUTHERM • • • • • • •
Rapid high vacuum Low thermal inertia Temperatures to 1800°C Easy to operate Precise temperature and atmosphere control High resolution with continuous image clarity For use with all Reichert metallographs and most inverted microscopes of other makes.
stop filtering and backwashing by siphon action. E 32 Automatic coating controller, designed for use on knife, roll, or dip coaters, has been developed by Ohmart Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio. It is used with two beta thickness gages for a complete system to measure and control the coating of sheet materials. This system will work upon any coating process in which the coating is at least 10% of the weight per unit area of the base material, according to Ohmart.
West Palm Beach, Fla. Designated the GK-600-E, the unit will compress this residual vapor and transfer it to either a storage tank or another cylinder which is in use. E 34
High-limit temperature controller has
been introduced by Apparatus Controls Division, Honeywell, Minneapolis, Minn. Known as the VersaTronik, it has two separate but interconnected circuits to handle temperature indication and control function. E35
E33
Automatic evacuator unit for salvaging propellant otherwise lost in seemingly empty cylinders has been placed on the market by General Kinetics, Inc.,
I
Further useful information on keyed Equipment items mentioned is readily available . . .
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38 in the ADVANCES
Name:
IN [CHEMISTRY SERIES
SALINE WATER CONVERSION—II The 14 papers in this book were based on symposia sponsored by the Division of Water and Waste Chemistry at the 139th and 141st National Meetings of the ACS in March 1961 and March 1962, respectively. Methods include: spray evaporation... phosphate precipitation . . . vibration . . . wiped thin-film distillation . . . the use of the diffusion still... the use of the osmotic membrane . . . flash evaporation utilizing solar energy. Cost problems are fully covered. There are abundant charts. Authors provide experimental data and discussion from work in the U. S., Canada, Australia, South Africa and Israel. Basic and applied research is reported. All those concerned with technical aspects of saline water conversion will want this up-to-date compilation of significant papers on the subject. Price: $6.00
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