ticated, and occasionally surprising findings are emerging. For example, according to Cornell University's Dr. Harold Scheraga, there are many polar-polar interactions among amino acids buried within a protein structure. This finding runs contrary to the commonly held belief that such interactions are clustered on protein surfaces next to the polar solvent. Hence, Scheraga says, a protein interior is not the exclusively oily environment it was thought to be. Another new finding, according to Dr. Ettore Benedetti of the University of Naples, Italy, emerges from a survey of x-ray crystallographic data collected from many peptides. Looking at some 40 cyclic peptides, he finds that for the majority the peptide bond is not planar, as Dr. Linus Pauling predicted years ago, but instead is skewed out of the plane. Elsewhere, efforts to boost yields during chemical synthesis of peptides are meeting with some success, though many consider the problem an undiminished if not increasing challenge, particularly for gram amounts. But yields are increasing, and Dr. C. H. Li of the University of California, San Francisco, for example, reports a better than 30% overall yield for his synthesis of the peptide ^-endorphin, which is 34 amino acids long. D
Huge superconducting magnet sent to Soviets Argonne National Laboratory has shipped a large superconducting magnet to the Soviet Union. This is another U.S. contribution in a joint program to develop magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generation of electric power. When the magnet left Chicago's O'Hare field on board an Air Force C-5A, it weighed about 60 tons including the transport container. It was flown nonstop to Moscow where it will be installed in a specially constructed bypass loop at the Soviet Union's U-25 MHD facility. The magnet will generate a magnetic field of 50,000 gauss. According to Dr. William D. Jackson, head of the U.S. MHD program at the Energy Research & Development Administration, the binational R&D program eliminates the need to duplicate facilities and needless competition. Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union began major MHD research programs after World War II, but the U.S. suspended its program with the advent of "cheap oil" in the 1950's. The current joint program was begun in July 1973. The $3.5 million magnet will re8
C&EN June 27, 1977
Superconducting magnet is loaded on C-5A for shipment to Moscow
main in service in Moscow for at least two years. Most of the 100 kw required to operate the magnet goes to maintain the liquid helium envelope around the core. This is the first known Soviet use of a superconducting magnet in the U-25 pilot plant. In April the plant operated at a record 250 continuous hours and in short test runs has produced more than 20 Mw of power. The next step after the U-25 pilot work is development of a commercial system of several hundred megawatts within the next 15 years. Most of the work at the U-25 pilot plant has utilized gas and oil feeds but the ultimate aim is to feed with coal. ERDA now is building an MHD test facility dedicated to coal near Butte, Mont. It is scheduled to go into service sometime in 1979. D
Gulf Coast to get big new polyethylene plant After getting its start in the Midwest, Northern Petrochemical is moving into the Gulf Coast region with a low-density polyethylene plant. The new facility, slated for the Houston area, will have an annual capacity of 220 million lb. The cost of the project will be more than $100 million, according to the subsidiary of Northern Natural Gas. This price includes plant construction and auxiliary facilities as well as the cost of 200 rail cars needed to transport the product. Construction of the plant will begin in 1978 with startup scheduled for early 1980. The plant is expected to employ about 100 people. Northern Petrochemical chose the Gulf Coast
site because of its proximity to ethylene feedstock supplies. The new plant will use only purchased feedstocks, according to C. J. McCoy, vice president of manufacturing. Indeed, many market researchers are predicting an oversupply of ethylene for the next several years. At the March meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in Houston, Arnold J. Cahil, marketing manager of Gulf Oil Chemicals, said that demand will be about 30 billion lb by 1980. However, supply will hit 39 billion to 40 billion lb in that year. Technology for Northern PetrochemicaPs plant will be provided by Imperial Chemical Industries of the U.K. According to Northern Petrochemical, this process is the latest ICI autoclave technology. Preliminary design work is under way in England under the direction of the British engineering firm Sin-Chem. Unlike Northern Petrochemicals Morris, 111., complex, which produces a wide range of products, the new plant will produce only low-density polyethylene. LDPE capacity at Morris is 600 million lb per year. Sam F. Segnar, president and chief operating officer of Northern Natural Gas, says, "Northern decided to expand its low-density polyethylene capabilities because of our confidence in the future market growth for this product. We anticipate the market for low-density polyethylene will continue to have an excellent growth rate through 1985." William J. Monahan, vice president of marketing for Northern Petrochemical, is a little more specific on the company's market estimates. "We project an annual growth rate of 7 to 8% compounded," he tells C&EN. D
