Uctober I948
INDUSTRIAL and ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY....
ON THE CHEMICAL WORLD TODAY WAR‘IN THE W A T E R C O U R S E When he penned the line, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” Keats had not had any experience with the water hyacinth. For hundreds of miles along the highways of Louisiana the “borrow pits’’ are blanketed with mats of green and thousands of purple blossoms of this beautiful plant. Introduced into Louisiana in the latter part of the 19th century, the water hyacinth has become common in the inland waters of the South Atlantic and Gulf Const states. It is found also in far distant places, as any sailor who served in the Philippines and tussled with its habit of fouling small boat screws knows well. Unfortunately, these beautiful hyacinths hinder navigation, are obstacles in swamp logging operations and oil development, and cause large fish and wildlife losses. The loss of marine life is caused by the plant’s removal of oxygen from the water and interference with normal interchange of gases between the water surface and the air. The latter not only hinders the fish, but also the growth of their food. Numerous groups have attempted eradication of this gorgeous pest, but all have been without any definitely recognized success until recently. Although it has not been accepted as a cure-all the work done by Gladys S. King, who is on the staff of the Southern Regional Research Laboratory, but whose participation in this field has been from personal interests, can be considered an excellent example both of forward progress and of the direction which further progress will probably take. Dr. King’s work was an extension of the theory of using plant growth regulators, or formagens, to destroy certain types of plant life completely. She observed that while 2,4diphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) effectively killed the upright portions and the roots of water hyacinths, a large percentage of the plants replaced themselves by development of buds from the base of the rhizome or stem. This type of action has been attributed previously t o the movement of the plant hormone (auxin) and the compounds required with it for growth, t o the basal buds when the upright portions are killed off.
m!
To overcome the plant’s efforts a t recovery, Dr. King investigated a number of acids which would compete with auxin in its combination with enzymes and substrate and thus hinder growth. Of those tested, phenylacetic acid was found most successful. To hinder the combination reaction further, it was found that highly active auxin compounds such as indoleacetic acid are effective, causing competition among the auxin molecules themselves. Finally, the work of Skoog was followed in inhibiting the action of the substrate by addition of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in various compounds. Dr. King’s final formula contains phenylacetic acid, potassium chloride, and ammonium p h os phate in addition to 2,4-D. Eosin also has been found useful t o catalyze the destruction. One of the most important questions in water hyacinth destruction is the removal of the dead plant, which otherwise will provide a fertile propagating ground for regrowth. This question has not been settled yet but Dr. King suggests cuprammonium sulfate as an effective agent to cause the dead material to sink out of the way. Recently it was announced that a chemical company in southeast Texas, operating under the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co., will distribute the formula under the name King-0-Cide. Dr. King’s results are not accepted entirely by some of the groups interested in the problem, but her approach, a t least, is sound. A group a t Tulane University, working since May on a United States Corps of Engineers project on the same subject, feels that a combination of mechanical cutting followed by chemical destruction of the fringes that permit reinfestation is most desirable. A United States Fish and Wildlife Service survey published in 1947 indicated definitely that while the introduction of 2,4-D into the immediate environment of fish may have harmful effect, spray applications t o surface vegetation a t rates recommended by the manufacturer will not be directly toxic to fish life. Normal spraying of hyacinths with 2,4-D is unlikely to cause concentrations of the (Continued on page 10 A ) chemical in underlying water
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INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
F------..-.------
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IL-
i No. 2 of a Series I
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Vol. 40, No. 10
f r o m Western Precipitation Corporation-pioneers o f the commercial application of COTTRELLS and now s e l l i n g ~ o m recovery ~ ~ ~ equipment ~ i n all parts of the U.S.A. and foreign countries.
Various Methods of
ergking COTTRELLS Make Experience a Vital Factor
T
he many and varied factors affecting the operating efficiency of a COTTRELL Precipitator make experience and “know how” of the greatest importance in designing and installing COTTRELL equipment. Western Precipitation Corporation-the organization that pioneered the commercial application of COTTRELLS-has had over 39 years of firsthand experience in developing and perfecting the
various elements that make up a complete COTTRELL installation, and these years of experience assure maximum performance from every Western Precipitation COTTRELL installation. F o r example, the e q u i p m e n t f o r energizing Western Precipitation COTTRELLS include such features as the following.
..
Oil Saturated Paper Insulation
--
either full or
HIGH VOLTAGE CONNEC-
are of the Enclosed Cubicle type
-are
of the some external ap-
half wave rectificotion. Mechani-
with flush-mounted meters, push
pearonce Q S rectifier Switchboards
buttons, selector switches, and indicating lights. The cabinet door
and con b e installed beside rectifier switchboards to form a uni-
cal rectifiers of the solid disc type are supplied with Radio Interfer-
TIONS-between the rectifiers and the CBTTRELL may be either
RECTIFIER SWITCHBOARDS
RAPPER A N D POWER PANELS
RECTIFIERS-for
special high voltage petrolotum-
ence Correctors a n d I n d u c t i v e
f i l l e d l e a d a n d steel-covered cable with pothead terminal con-
and rectifier control circuit are
form and continuous switchboard
Type Automatic Polarity devices.
interlocked. Rectifier and transf o r m e r con t a et0 rr, i n st r u m en t
installation.The cabinet i s divided
The Automatic polarity device has
nections, or of rod-and-busduct
into two compartments-one
con-
no commutator or brushes contoct-
construction.
transformers, tap switches, termi-. nal blocks and other auxiliaries
taining AB breakers for control o f a l l individual rectifier and rig.
i n g h i g h speed r o t a t i n g parts. High voltage switch gear with in-
are mounted inside the switch.
nal circuits-the
terlocking control units i s avail-
board cabinet.
a l l rapper controls and timers.
other containing
able.
Watch for the next in this series which outlines the various CO’ITREU electrode systems available from Western Precipitation Corporation. Western P r e c i p i t a t i o n can design COTTRELLS to operate a t any desired e f i ciency, for any capacity, to collect virtually u n y s o l i d o r l i q u i d suspended i n a gas, whether hot or cold.
Do you have these h e l p f u l COTTRELL booklets? This literature answers many questions concerning COTTRELL equipment. Free copies will gladly be sent those interested. Ask for booklets ClOl and C103.
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October 1948
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Diamond Alkali Company's newest chemical plant, the Houston Works on the Houston Ship Channel, recently went on stream, manufacturing chlorine and caustic for what i t s able young president, R. F. Evans, so aptly described as "the living, growing, expanding chemical industry." Brown & Root, Inc. are proud to have been selected for engineering and construction of this great plant-proud of the part w e have in the process industry in the Southwest, which i s fast securing its position as a world chemical capital.
P. 0.Box 2634
Houston 1, Texas
9A
of greater than 1 p.p.m.; it takes a concentration of 100
p.p.m. before significant toxic effect on fish is evident. T o end on a more fanciful note, a group of English scientists have been experimenting with a fermentation process for producing methane from the hyacinth. They have figured that to keep a 100-kilowatt power plant going it would take 4 tons of chopped hyacinths per day; would cost $100,000 capital investment; and $40,000 per yeas operating expenses. These figures are not a t all promising, but there may be some success ultimately in harnessing this beautiful botanical tramp to a useful job. Keats could have W.H.S. the last word yet.
HUNDREDS 06 Thanks to the cooperative efforts of hundreds of scientists and engineers in almost every field of industry, we have been able to compile a comprehensive new booklet about DC 200 Fluids.
ONE GOOD CHURN Thousands of years before the birth of Christ biltter was made by agitating cream in a vessel until the mechanical action caused the microscopic f a t globules to coalesce into floating chunks of partially crystallized fat. Until recently, practically every pound of butter made in the United States was produced in this way. HoTever, during the past few years the techniques of process engineering have been concentrated on this centuries-old operation. Several processes now use modern techniques t o break the fat emulsion almost instantaneously, and cream is processed to packaged butter in substantially continuous flow without human handling or batchwise operations. Two of these processes have been in successful pilot plant operation in the Middle West for some time and will soon be available commercially. Physically, milk or cream is an unusual fluid system. It consists of coincident stable dispersions of fat and insoluble milk protein in a n aqueous serum. The insoluble proteins, consisting largely of casein, are present in a pH-sensitive colloidal suspension. Acidification of milk or cream, either artificially or by lactic fermentation, precipitates the casein as a curdy coagulum. Removal of the casein does not alter the physical state of the fatty constituents. The fat is present as globules avesaging 4 microns in diameter, held in an emulsion by the seques= tering action of a, film of soluble milk proteins, notably albumin and the phospholipides. A simple change in pH will not destroy the fat emulsion; however, it does make i t more vulnerable to disruptive forces such a8 heat and mechanical impact. Conventional butter-making devices, from the primitive goatskin bag to the commercial rotary drum, do no more than agitate the cream until the fat globules are beaten together into large chunks. I n the continuous process developed by the Cherry-Burrell Corporation and the Sugar Creek Creamery Company, the sensitivity of the emulsion to concussion in the presence of air is exploited to initiate the coalescence of the fat globules, but the emulsion is actually broken in a second step eniploying centrifugal force. Sweet or sour raw cream having a butter fat content of 35 to 40y0 is treated in a centrifugal heater which heats the liquid from the storage temperature of about 60" F. to between 110' and 120" F. in a few seconds. During this heating the cream is agitated (Continued on page 12 A )
In e o r l y 1943 glass distillafion coiumns supplied f h e d e m a n d for siiicone p r o d u c f s . By 1944, we hod completed a rnul:i-niiilion dollar plant t o supply war f i m e requiremenis. During the p o d four y e a r s plant c o p a c i f y has been fripied to supply fhe domestic a n d f o r e i g n markets.
W e h a d been producing DC 200 Fluids for less than a year when we published a 4 - p a g e leaflet describing these remarkably stable silicone fiuids. Our newest publication i s a 3 2 - p a g e booklet describing some o f the more typical applications and giving d a t a on the more significant properties o f the DC 200 Fluids. This volume of informafion i s evidence o f a unique and useful combination of properties in the fluids themselves. It i s proof of the r e a d y acceptance given t o these basically new malerials b y scientists, engineers and technicians in almost every industry. They have improved the performance of all sorts of devices b y capitalizing on the properties of DC 200 Fluids. We, in turn, have gained knowledge and experience by giving technical assistance. The benefits of our years o f research and experience in producing DC 200 Fluids and in ad'apting them to many different applications a r e made available in booklet No. 0 - C - 1 3 . W e hope that you will call on the technical representatives assigned to each of our bronch offices for any additional information or assistance.
DOW CORNING MIDLAND, Allanfa
Chicago Angeles
10s
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CORPORATION MlCHlOAN Cleveland N e w York
Dallas
In Can-do: Flberg1-s Canada, Lld., Toronto In England: Albright and Wilson, Lld., London
10 A
October 1948
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
11A
EAG LE=PIC HE R
Z e d uizd zinc
Zinc Oxides ...Lead-Free and Leaded Lead-Free Zinc Oxide- Designed for use wherever LeadFree American process Zinc Oxides are required. Meets the needs of the paint, rubber, ceramic, oilcloth, match, rayon, and linoleum industries. Exceptionally white and bright, having excellent tinting strength and opacity. Produced in a series of varying paint viscosity ranges.
Leuded Zinc Oxides-All types and grades for the paint industry, notably 5 %, 3570 and 50% leaded.
Other Eugle-Picher Industria I Pigments include: Red Lead Litharge Sublimed Litharge Orange Mineral White Lead Carbonate Sublimed White Lead Sublimed Blue Lead Lirhopone Lead Silicate Zinc Oxides
AGITATED REACTORS
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Agitated Reactors ham arned this leading position Here are the reasons why:
4
O n e of a number of 2,000 gellon I*P*E Agitated Reactors for the esterification of sorbitol
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o Sound E n g i n e e r i n g Expert Design - Precision Manufactured. e Compliance with A.S.M.E Code for any weldable ma. terial-steel, stainless steel, monel, nickel, inconel, clad s t e e l w i t h a n y of t h e s e materials. All necessary equipmeni is provided for particular re. quirements; direct or indireci heating by oil, gas, steam, electricity or Dowtherm; heal exchangers, c o n d e n s e r s , receivers, piping, valves. 8 S p e c i a l consideration i s given to the best type and speed of agitation.
Agitated Reactors are "Standard-
Plus" u n i t s , m a d e to m e e t specific needs. They're truly r'tailor-rnade'yjobs. Agitated Reactors are only part of the complete I*P*E line af "Standard-Plus" processing a n d mixing equip. ment a n d agitators. For more information about
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Kettles dissolvers stills soap a n d grease extruders nitrators sulfonators crutchers 9 crystallizers * continuous mixers paste mixers reducing conical dry mixers * dough mixers horizontal mixers all types of agitators mixers
. . . send
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for our new detailed catalogue.
SPECIAL UNITS AND COMPLETE PLANTS-I*P+E staff of process plant engineers a n d designers welcome your inquiry for special needs. No obligation.
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NEW.YORK, N. J.
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12 A
by high speed centrifugal agitators which cause the fat globules to coalesce until the average globule size is several times that in normal cream. Now in a weakened condition, the emulsion is broken in a specially designed centrifugal separator revolving at 6200 r.p.m vhich discharges an unstable fat concentrate containing about 90% fat and 10% water. The fat mixture is pasteurized at 200" I?. in a three-chamber vacuum pasteurizer held, respectively, a t vacua of about 2 to 3, 17>and 27 inches. The fat attains maximum temperature for only a fern seconds, so that positive antisepsis is achieved lvithout incurring a scorched flavor in the finished butter. The second process has been developed by the Creamery Package Manufacturing Company to handle sweet or sour cream that has already been pasteurized and neutralized, usually with sodium bicarbonate or lime. The cream is preheated to 170" F. to liquefy fatty constituents and decompose enzymes causing rancidity. The heated cream is concentrated f a t content in a conventional centrifugal sepato 75 to rator. The f a t concentrate is then pumped through an emulsion breaker, which is actually a modification of a pressure valve type of homogenizer, in which the cream is forced a t high pressures through valve orifices Tvhich subject it to estreme flow velocity and shear stress. Revolving disk type colloid niills are reported also to have been used successfully for this purpose. The seemingly anonlalous success of homogenizing equipment in breaking the fat emulsion apparently is due to the high fat concentration and relatively great fat globule size in the cream concentrate. The unstable mixture of fat and 11-ater discharged is separated by gravity in a holding vessel with continuous inlet and outlet. The aqueous serum from the bottom of the vessel is recycled to the centrifugal separator. The fatty portjon containing about g8yo butterfat conbent is passed through a proportioning pump where salt water is added to bring the composition to that of normal salted butter. I n the Cherry-Burrell unit salt and water are added in standardizing tanks fitted with agitators where the pasteurized fat is held while control analyses for acid, salt, and water are run. The butter may also be neutralized and colorcd a t this Foint and butter culture or diacetyl added to enhance its flavor. Both units employ variations of continuous ice cream freezers to solidify the standardized liquid butter. These are refrigerant-jacketed cylindrical chillers through which the fat is conveyed by high speed agitators which force butter against the cold inner cylinder surface, while a t the same time working the suspended mater droplets uniformly through the mass. It is essential that butter be chilled rapidly in this process to ensure rapid crystallization and to avoid the formation of large crystals of the harder, higher melting fat constituents which mould produce st hard, crumbly brick. The Cherry-Burrell system also contains a cylinder with orifices of reduced diameter at either end introduced between the chiller and the final cutting and packaging operation. As the plastic butter from the chiller enters and leaves the cylinder i t must change diam,which redistributes the crystal matrix estabp the larger structures, and makes sure that the small crystallites are well lubricated by the interstitial liquid phase which must be present t o ensure a smooth (Crmtinusd rm pugs 1.6 A ) spreading product.
October 1948
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
13 A
Closcly controlled composition and extremely fine dispersion of the nonfatty constituents in continuously produced butter give it a velvety texture and eliminate the leakage of water to the surface which sometimes occurs i n the churned product. Creamery Package chemists believe that the stability of the water dispersion in the finished butter is due to the formation of a stable water-in-fat emulsion a t storage temperatures of about 40' C. Creamery operators expect these continuous processes t o improve sanitation and reduce labor requirements. Process engineers can view them with pride as a successful application of chemical engineering principles to an age-old batchwise operation. M.L.K.
FLOUR AND FITS The report by Sir Edward Mellanby, director of the British Medical Research Committee [Brit. Med. J., 2, 8S5 (1946)l that he had found t h a t flour treated with nitrogen trichloride, commonly called Agene in the milling world, caused running fits in dogs when included in their diet, has caused howls far beyond the canine world. Consequences as farreaching as the nervous breakdown of humanity have been suggested. More than a little of the color of sensationalism has crept into the lay press reports. The subject of the harmful effects of the chemical treatment of flour is not new. As early as the beginning of the century, concern was expressed over the use of nitrogen oxides or nitrosyl chloride as flour bleaching agents. The matter went t o court, where it was ruled that these agents were not shown t o be harmful. Wessner and Teller [J. IND. ENG. CHEM.,1, 700 (1909)] reported extensive studies of the possible toxic effects of wheat flour treated with nitrogen oxides by the Alsop process, or with nitrosyl chloride, on rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs. No toxic effects were found. The same verdict was reached two years later by the same investigators in studying conditions as near as possible to the human digestive system. Since that time nitrogen trichloride has displaced these earlier agents and Mellanby's findings have stirred a new and greater storm. Agene has played an important role in the milling industry. Wheat flour, if used immediately after milling, is yellow and nonuniform, and produces sticky dough and inferior bread. Aging produces a whiter color and a distinct improvement in dough quality, but the natural process is costly because of space requirements and time losses. Certain chemical agents speed the process. Agene is outstanding because it not only produces the aging effect, but also bleaches the flour to the white color so necessary for making the white loaf demanded today. Other chemicals that can be used for aging flour include sodium or potassium bromate, chlorine dioside, and chlorine, which is used in cake flours made from soft wheat. However, the superiority of Agene has gained for it general employment and the millers have adapted their techniques to its use. But now it has been discovered that flour made this way gives dogs canine hysteria or running fits. Exactly what causes this drastic effect on dogs is not known, (Continued on page 16 A ) although it has been found
TODAY FOR YOUR COPY OF BULLETIN NO. DSIE . . ilWRITE
.
lustrating and describing Dura Seal applications for better sealing.
c
14 A
October 1948
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
15 A
Sheldon invites you to visit Booths 316 and 317 during T h e National Chemical Exposition in Chicago‘s Coliseum, . . to mcet the Sheldon engineers a n d to learn a b o u t Sheldon’s complete chemistry laboratory servicc. These Sheldon engincers know the intricacies of planning a n d of building-through all its m a n y stages-the c o m p l e t e a n d efficient c h e m i s t r y laboratory. Sheldon laboratory furniture is designed a n d constructed to meet every difficult mechanical laboratory requirement. Sheldon tables incorporate all features demanded by leading technicians . . . Sheldon pressurized fume hoods are engineered as a n integral p a r t of a complete fume removal system for air-conditioned laboratories. Before planning your laboratory, without obligation call in a Sheldon engineer . . use his broad cxpcrience a n d technical knowledge in achieving the most efficient a n d convenient laboratory.
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World’s Largest Exclusive Manufacturers of Laboratory and Vocational Furniture 16 A
previously that gliadin, the alcohol-soluble fraction of mliest protein, can cause this effect. No direct evidence t h a t agenized flour harms human beings has been reported. However, important work has been done on this problem since Mellanbg reported his discovery. Conrad Elvehjem, Gordon Newell, and their co-worker the University of Tisconsin have been studying several phases of the problem. They have shown that Agene. but none of the other commercial bleaching or maturing agents, will react with flour or wheat gluten to produce the factor causing fits in dogs. Dogs have been found more sensitiyc than other animals tested, but rabbits, feirets, minks, and cats developed fits and convulsions when fed high diet levels of Agene-treated flour. htonkeys shoved intermittent electroencephalographic (EEG) brain n-ave patterns. but no fits. Rats, chicks, and guinea pigs which were fed high levels of highly agenized rations for periods of 4 weeks gave no sign. of fits. Silver and eo-workers reported [Proc. SOC.Exptl. Biol. Med., 66, 410 (1947) ] that curarized dogs develop abnormal EEG patterns when injected intravenouqly with cer t a i r agenized amino acids. Newel et al. (Am. J . Piiysiol., IIarch 1948) fed conscious, unanesthetized, noiicursrized dogs with untreated and with agenized glutamic acid, tyiosine, mcthionine, methionine sulfoxide, cysteine, tryptophan, valine, serine, and cysteic acid. E E G records Tieie obtained o n dogs that had been intravenously injected Ti-ith treated cysteine, cystine, methionine, cysteic acid, and blood plasma. S o adverse conditions were observed in any of these dogs. The Wisconsin group studied effects on dogs a t both ordinary and high levels of flour in the diet. The American diet seldom contains more than 3Oy0flour. Five dogs were fed a ration containing 3Oy0 flour treated \vith Agene a t commercial levels. After 12 months all the dogs were observed to be healthy and there had been no sign of running fits. EEG studies made during the 7 t o 9 months were all normal. However, it was found that feeding a diet containing 84Yc3 agenized flour produced running fits in dogs within a shoit time. It has been reported [Silver et al., J . Am. M e d . Assoc., 135, 757 (1947)l that monkeys fed highly agenized rations develop asynergy, weakness of extremities, and sluggishness in response to irritating stimuli in comparison to normal animals, Abnormal E E G were also found. Radomski and co1%-orkers[J. Nutrition, 36, 15 (1948)l observed no adverse conditions when monkeys were fed a highly agenized diet as long as 64 days, but did conclude rabbits to be of the same order of sensitivity as dogs, cats to be less sensitive, and rats to be resistant on the basis of gross symptoms. The authors state, “Although the data presented definitely demonstrated that the production of fright fits by the Agenctreated gluten of flour is not a phenomenon peculiar to the dog but rather a toxic reaction common to several species, the question of possible toxicity to human beings is still unsettled. Obviously, a toxicant of such potentialities for harm is not a desirable constituent of the flour from which our daily bread is prepared.” Of course, the important animal from the human point ‘of view is the human being. Despite the fact that epilepsy, a disease as old as recorded medical history, has shown no recent increase and Agene has been (Continued on page 8’9 A )
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
October 1948
17 A
0 Flexibility o f operation i s a key to maximum economy and quality o f output in filtration. The chart shows the relative "speed" of the different grades of Dicalite filteraids, and indicates how this flexibility can be secured.
While each one of these grades is especially effective for filtering certain liquids, their performance overlaps considerably and you may secure desired clarity with different grades selected according to your operating needs. Sudden production demands for higher liquid throughput can be satisfied by the filtration rate next ally used. If a hard-tofilter batch of slows down the flow too much, the next faster grade of Dicalite will usually maintain your normal filtration flow rate.
200
400
600
aoo 1000 no0 1400 R E L A T I V E FLOWRATE
1600
i w o xco
Such flexibility of operation will hold filtration costs to a minimum, and will reduce overall operating costs b y eliminating expensive slow-downs. High quality of finished product ,i s also maintained,
You can depend on Dicalite filteraids because they are quality materials, produced to high standards of performance with constant laboratory control. Send for a Dicalite Engineer if you need information on filteraids, or if he can help you with a filtration problem. The facilities of the Dicalite laboratory are also available if extensive tests are required.
THE DICALITE COMPANY D I V I S I O N OF GREAT L A K E S C A R B O N C O R P O R A T I O N NEW YORK 1 7 C H I C A G O 13 LOS ANGELES 14
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INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Supplementing
nation wide
Vol. 40, No.
deliveries o f Celanese
cially insulated stainless steel compartments. From the
Chemicals b y rail from the Chemcel plant a t Bishop,
New Haven terminal, with a storage cmpacity o f more
Texas, Celanese i s now operating the first tanker fpcili-
than 7,000,000
ties for the shipment o f formaldehyde, This new service
liveries o f formaldehyde to Eastern consumers.
provides eastern industries with additional quantities o f both inhibited and uninhibited grades o f this important basic commodity. From new Celanese storage facilities a t Corpus Christi, Texas, a tanker i s now regularly carrying formaldehyde eastward to New Haven, Connecticut in spe-
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During every step o f the way-from your plant door-the
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ADVERTISEMENT-This
entire page i s a paid adveltisement
P r e ~ a r e dMonthly by
U.S. Industrial Chemicals, Inc.
U.S.I. CHEMICAL NEWS
October
*
A Monthly Series for Chemists and Executives of the Solvents and Chemical Consuming Industries
*
1948
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American Hydrocarbon Synthesis Is New Source of Ketones
New Non Hazing Alkyd Makes Mirror-Like Finishes Possible
W i l l M a k e Four Ketones Commercially Available
Aroplaz 1248-M Has High Gloss and Gloss-Retention Is Non-Hazing Even in Presence of Zinc Oxide
Ketones -the water white chemicals with excellent solvent properties, used extensively as solvents, raw materials, and intermediates in a great variety of processes are another group of chemicals to be supplied by the American Hydrocarbon Synthesis. Acetone,
For the first time a pure phthalic alkyd resin which does not haze in the presence of zinc oxide has been placed on the market. Aroplaz 1248-M, a new pure, long oil, oxidizing, color- and gloss-retentive phthalic alkyd, is the latest development in the U.S.I.line of resins for the field of architectural paints and
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and methvl butvl ketone will be obtained directly film the‘ water soluble stream of the synthesis, and from these four ketones many other important compounds can be prepared. K e t o n e s W i d e l y Used This is good news for the plastics, protective coating, rayon, petroleum, and photographic film industries, who have been using increasing amounts of these versatile chemicals. Acetone is used in many diverse solvent operations ranging from the dissolving of acetylene gas for cylinders to the various solvent jobs it performs in the production of photographic film, artificial leather, acetate rayon, and plastics. Acetone is also a raw
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New Booklet Is Guide To Well-balanced Feeds A new booklet, entitled Proteins & Amino Acids in Animal Nutrition, is available now for the manufacturers of feedstuffs. This guide, written by a prominent authority, is designed to enable the feed manufacturer to estimate the essential amino acid content of his feed. The availability and distribution of sulfur amino acids is certainly, the booklet states, an index of the protein quality and overall performance of the ration. A serious deficiency of only one amino acid is enough to cause failure of the entire diet, according to the author. Copies of this valuable booklet may be obtained exclusively by writing the Editor of Chemical News. I
Non-breakable Containers Are Available Acids
Final polishing of sheets of transparent methyl methacrylate. Acetone, one of the ketones to come from the American Hydrocarbon Synthesis, i s an important r a w material In the production of this acrylic resin.
material in the production of chloroform and iodoform, diacetone alcohol, methyl isobutyl carbinol, mesityl oxide, indigo, sulfonal, and certain resins and plastics. Other ketones which can be prepared from acetone are: methyl isobutyl ketone, phorone, diisobutyl ketone, acetonylacetone, and isophorone. Increased availability of acetone may stimulate interest in these and other of its products. Methyl ethyl ketone is a good solvent for vinyl resins, and as such is used in the production of chemical.resistant lacquers. Another important use of methyl ethyl ketone is in the dewaxing of lubricating oils. It is a good low-boiling nitrocellulose solvent, similar in evaporating properties to ethyl acetate. Methyi ethyl-ketone also plays a part in the manufacture of cleaning compounds
New plastic vials and jars, particularly adapted to the packaging of wet, oily, acidic products - and to dry products sensitive to moisture- are said to he available now in commercial quantities. The new containers, it is reported, combine the advantages of lightness in weight, freedom from breakage. new design and color effects, and durability. They are described as being odorless, taste. less, and inert. Resistance to highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid is also claimed.
Fingernails Break Easily 1 Here’s a New Remedy Women with extremely fragile fingernails can now look to DL-methionine for a solution of their problem, according to a noted medi cal authority. Use of nail polish removeri containing very strong solvents tends to take the oil out of fingernails, preventing proper metabolism and causing them to become fragile, it is reported. Including a consider. able amount of DL-methionine in the diet, ii is claimed, is one means of combating this tendency.
snamels. This mineral spirits so1;ble resin is .he result of years of testing and development 3y U.S.I.’s laboratory and production ex?erts. Enamels made with Aroplaz 1248-M are excellent in both color and gloss, and lave outstanding gloss-retention. N o n - H a z i n g With Z i n c Oxide One of the most striking advantages of 4roplaz 1248-M is its high gloss-retention in the presence of zinc oxide. The characeristic weakness of alkyds up to the present ime has been their tendency to develop a surface haze that diminished gloss considertbly. This hazing tendency was particularly wonounced when zinc oxide was used in Jigmentation. Since zinc oxide is absolutely mential to prevent yellowing of white enimels, hazing has been a serious drawback o the use of alkyds in architectural enamels. Aroplaz 1248-M, however, in extensive tests :onducted before offering it for sale comnercially, showed no tendency to haze in wo years of aging carried on under a variety )f conditions. Besides this property of ex:ellent gloss-retention, Aroplaz 1248-M also ias improved brushing charicteristics, such as ease of tpulication, maintenance of
New Drum Gage A new drum gage is now on the market ‘or measuring the contents of 55 gallon hums. The drum reserve can be accurately ztimated at a glance, according to the manuacturer’s report. The gage is described as ,mitable for use indoors or out.
I'rmted in 7,.' S,A .
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October
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* Iliscovers Method far Assaying Sen~naLeaf
Mew Scientific Journals T w o new boientific j o u n a l . are now available. They are: the South Afrzcu I n c l i b > e r i c d ChenzLst, the official n e w s urgaii of t h i , h u t t i African Chemical Institute; and Ke\earch, a Journai o/ S c i e n t e arid I t & ApJJlicUtlorlS, published in England.
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1948
According to a rrceiit witntific paper, new laboratory tests on b l l t h aninials arid humans have led tu t111. tiis{.ovrry of a method for new brazins- Drocess for marmesium. ,>
