TECHNOLOGY
Japan Pushes Process Radiation Commercial chemical processing via radiation energy is key target in Government-industry research venture Commercial chemical processing rates top priority as Japan intensifies its efforts to cash in on radiation in large scale industrial uses. Work is expected to get under way next year on a 4.3 billion yen ($11.9 million) laboratory, tentatively named Central Research Laboratory for Radiation Chemistry. Stressing applied more than basic research, the new laboratory will have two primary assignments. The first will be to work up radiation chemistry techniques on a pilot plant scale using large radiation sources. The second will lay the scientific, technical, and economical groundwork for the construction of a chemonuclear reactor. These efforts will be geared primarily to three of the country's key industries—chemicals, textiles, and electronics. The Japanese Government and industry recognized early the potential in radiation energy to modify plastics and fibers, in polymerization and solid state detection work, and in the synthesis of certain high priced organic chemicals. Now they are spurring their efforts along these lines to be in on the ground floor when and if such uses pan out industrially. Probe Chemical Systems. On the chemical front, the new laboratory will carry out intermediate level or pilot plant radiation studies of different chemical systems to learn if they are industrially feasible. These include: • Polymerization of ethylene to study gas phase systems. • Graft polymerization of styrene onto cellulose as an example of a solid state reaction. • Polymerization of formaldehyde as a liquid phase study. • Oxidation of benzene to depict a low polymer reaction. Industry-Government. Plans for the new laboratory are now before the Japan Atomic Energy Commission to be included in its fiscal 1962 budget 54
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Dr. Paul C. Aebersold aggressive, yet realistic
request to the Finance Ministry early next year. Drawn up by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, the plans call for JAERI to operate the new facility in cooperation with the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum. JAIF is made up of eight chemical companies (including such giants as Sumitomo, Mitsubishi, and Showa Denko), five textile firms (Toyo Rayon and Kurashiki Rayon are two), heavy machinery manufacturers, petroleum refiners, and noted scientists. The Japanese Government most likely will put up better than 90% of over-all costs, but industry will have a big voice in calling the plays for implementing the program. Probable site for the new laboratory is Tokyo. The program spans four years beginning in FY 1962 (begins April 1962). For the first year, JAERI wants a 550 million yen ($1.5 million) budget plus a 1.18 billion yen ($3.3 million) bond issue for construction and housing, which includes a 300,000-curie cobalt-60 source. Feasibility Studies. This large irradiation source will be used for radiation engineering studies—to investi-
gate the composition and arrangement of radioisotope sources, as well as dosage distribution for pilot plant tests. The radiation engineering phase of the program also will encompass techniques and economics of using large output accelerators for pilot plant tests. In addition, experimental devices will be developed to enable chemists to study speeds of various commercial reactions as well as the relationship of equilibrium to these reactions. Another objective is to develop a reactor specifically to produce chemicals. FY's 1964 to 1966 will be devoted mainly to basic studies, with the pilot plant slated to start up after FY 1964. In addition to the big cobalt-60 source, JAERI's plans call for a 2 m.e.v. Dynamitron, a 12 m.e.v. linear accelerator, and a 1 m.e.v. resonance transformer. Allocation of the budget request is expected to win speedy approval by the Finance Ministry. Sound Approach. Dr. Paul C. Aebersold, director of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's division of isotope development, notes a rapid acceleration of Japanese efforts in basic radiation chemistry. Just back from a tour of radiation facilities in Japan, he tells C&EN, "They (the Japanese) are displaying a very aggressive, yet realistic attitude toward the development of radiation energy for industrial processing. They have faith in its great potential as a new method to upgrade raw materials to more profitable products. They know they must keep ahead in technology in light of Japan's unfavorable raw materials situation and her dependence on trade." "But they also realize that the development of radiation energy for industrial processes will not come overnight—it will require a tremendous effort. I found this reflected in the research program of every radiation laboratory I visited. Now, they know that the job will require the combined resources of all and they have joined forces—industry and government—in a major concerted effort."
