April,
1912
T H E J0GR;C’AL OF I.\-DiYSTRIA4L
incurred and that i t is not necessary t o resort to such high temperatures that a partial decomposition of the product occurs, in order to effect the separation of the solvent from the asphalt. The naphthalene process is reported to be of particular value if the bituminous rock, bones, plants, etc., are mixed with about one-half their weight of naphthalene and then extracted by heating. For this purpose, impure naphthalene may be used; i t is afterwards recovered as pure naphthalene by treatment with steam.
FIRE EXTINCTION. The use of frothy mixtures for fire extinction has recently been investigated a t Wilhelmsburg, near Hamburg, Germany, in the presence of officials representing the Prussian Fire Brigade (see Preuss. Feuerwehr-Beirat, Drucksache, N o . 4, 191I ; Engineering, January 1 2 , 1912, 52. A solution of sodium hydroxide, containing froth-forming ingredients, and a solution containing alum and other chemicals, are mixed fogether by means of carbon dioxide, which results in the production of a foam consisting of bubbles filled with carbon dioxide: the foam is then
A S D EA‘GISEERISG CHE-IIISTRY.
309
directed on to the surface of burning petroleum, tar, etc. It is reported that 2 1. of the mixed liquids, when directed on t o light petroleum spirit, gave 13 1. of foam, the volume of which diminished by j per cent. in 5 minutes, 14 per cent. in IO minutes, 47 per cent. in 30 minutes, and 76 per cent. in I hour. I n one series of tests, the plant employed comprised two reservoirs each of 5 cm. capacity, from which the solutions were delivered t o the mixer by two duplex feed pumps a t the rate of about 160 1. per minute. The foam was discharged from the mixer through a pipe of 80 mm. diameter, which branched into two pipes of j z mm. diameter. Fifteen tons of crude petroleum benzine were ignited in a brickwork tank of I O m . diameter, and after the fire had burned for 5 minutes in a strong wind, the foam was applied under a pressure of 2 atmospheres. The fire was soon stifled except for isolated jets of flame near the edge of the tank, and completely extinguished in 6 minutes; after I O minutes, on removing the layer of foam, the benzine could be immediately relighted. About 1800 1. of the mixed liquids were consumed. The results seemed t o demonstrate that it mas advantageous to apply the foam under a low pressure in order that it might spread quietly over the burning surface. Another test was made on burning tar with satisfactory results.
NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE THE CENTENARY O F THE INTRODUCTION OF GAS. The 100th anniversary of the introduction of the use of gas as a n illuminant will be celebrated in Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday, April 18th and 19th, 1912. The exercises will be held in the Hall of the Franklin Institute, 15 South 7th Street, and will take the form of a symposium under the auspices of The American Philosophical Society, The Franklin Institute, The American Chemical Society and The American Gas Institute.
Uniformity and Simplicity in Electrochemical Calculations. By CARLHERISG. Effects of the Variations of Thermal Resistivities with the Temperature. By CARLHERISG. Experiments on Heat Insulation. By F. A . J. FITZGERALD. An Electrolytic Method for the Reduction of Blue Powder. By WARRENF. BLEECKER. Tensile Strength of Electrolytic Copper on a Rotating Cathode. By C. $1’. BEXNETT. PROGRAM. The Regeneration of Sulphated Storage Cells. By C. W.BENXSTT Thursday: “By-products in Gas Manufacture,” by CHAS. A X D D. S. COLE. E. MUNROE, a t 8 P . i x A Rotating Cathode. By C. w’. BENKETT. Friday: ‘‘The Commercial and Financial Aspects of the Electrical Endosmose. By IV. D. BAKCROFT. Gas Industry,” by GEORGEB. CORTELYOU,a t I O . 4 x On the Nature of Zinc Cementizing (Sherardizing). By ARDEN “The Technic of Gas Manufacture,” by ALFREDE. FORSTALL, R. JOHSSON A N D WILLIS R. ~VOOLRICH. at 1 1 A.M. Smee’s Theory of Electrolytic Deposits. By IT. D. BASCROFT. “Gas as a n Illuminant,” by VANRENSSELAER LANSINGH, at Power Supply to Electric Furnaces for Refining Iron and Steel. 2 P.M. By IT. SYKES. “The Use of Gas for Heat and Power; the Testing of Gas,” Furnace Electrodes Practically Considered. By R. T ~ R X B V L L . by EDW.4RD B. ROSA,a t 3 P.M. On the Volatility of Zinc Oxide. By 0. L. KOWALKE. These lectures will constitute an interesting and \-aluable High Tension Equipment for Electrometallurgical Plants. By review of the development of the use of gas as an illuminant, J . R. I I I L S O N . and as a source of heat and poiver. Persons interested in the The Influence of Diffusion on the Electromotive Force Produced manufacture and use of gas from all parts of the country, memin Solutions by Centrifugal Action. By IV. LASH MILLER. bers of the societies named, and the general public, including Vacuum Furnace Metallurgy. By C. G. FIKK. ladies, are cordially invited to attend the sessions. Temperatures of the Carborundum Furnace. By L. E. SAUKDERS. An effort will be made to bring together as many as possible Gas Circulation in Electrical Reduction Furnaces. By J. W. of the pioneers in the gas industry, those who have been engaged RICHARDS. in the industry thirty years or more. All such are requested Potential Differences a t the Junction of Unmiscible Phases. to send their names to the acting secretary. By R. BEUTSER. A temporary Loan Exhibition will be held in the Hall of the Performance of Dry Cells. By C. HAMBUECHEK. Franklin Institute, of articles, models, appliances, books or Report of the Committee on Dry Cell Tests. pictures, t h a t have an historical interest. Any one who knows of such articles should communicate a t once with the Acting Secretary, William J. Serrill, 140I Arch Street, Philadelphia. AMERICAN COMMISSION ON ORGANIC NOMENCLATURE. An -4merican Commission on Organic Nomenclature has been AMERICAN ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, TWENTY-FIRST appointed, consisting of the following: GENERAL MEETING, BOSTON, APRIL 18th to 20th. AI. T. Bogert, Columbia University, Chairman; Ira Remsen, PROGRAM. Johns Hopkins University; W. A. Noyes, Univeristy of Illinois; The Effect of Addition Substances in Lead Plating Baths. By T. B. Johnson, Yale University; M. Gomberg, University of F. C. MATHERS A X D 0. R. OVERMAS. Michigan; J. F. Norris, Simmons College; J. B. Tingle, McMaster
