If you need...
ACID INHIBITOR an
MARKETS Domestic Mercury Production Climbs out of Postwar Doldrums • . . s.OrMillions of Poundsn
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METHYL BUTYNOL and
1940
METHYL PENTYNOL
1942
1944
1946
1948
AIR REDUCTION CHEMICAL COMPANY A Division of Air Reduction Company, Inc.
1 50 East 42nd St., N e w York 17, N. Y.
••••••••••••••••••••• 88
C&EN
AUG.
19,
1957
195?
1954
1956
Mercury Output Edges Upward Increasing domestic production biggest factor in healthy mercury market^ prices remain steady . D O O M I N G M I N E OPERATIONS a r e l e a d -
I n applications w h e r e steel, a l u m i n u m and zinc are e x p o s e d to m i n e r a l acid solutions. Methyl Butynol and M e t h y l P e n t y n o l p e r f o r m effectively a s corrosion i n h i b i t o r s . Mild steel, pickled in acid i n h i b i t e d w i t h t h e s e materials, i s f r e e f r o m hydrogen embrittlement. There is no h a r m f u l r e s i d u e to i n t e r f e r e with s u b s e q u e n t coating o r p l a t i n g processes. TRY S A M P L E . To obtain N E W corrosion i n h i b i t o r b u l letin A-6A, clip t h i s a d v e r t i s e m e n t t o your l e t t e r h e a d a n d mail to t h e a d d r e s s below. O r . b e t t e r yet, write u s about y o u r p r o b l e m a n d let u s send you a sample of the alcohol w e would r e c o m m e n d for y o u r t r i a l .
1950
ing the w a y to higher domestic p r o d u c tion of mercury. A new mine in I d a h o , a reorganized operation in Alaska, a n d high production from key sources in California a n d Nevada a r e major factors in today's U. S. quicksilver supply. Total consumption in 1956 dropped slightly, b u t rose for all major applications. Greater production facilities, then, rather than increased use, seem to be accounting for last year's higher figures. O u t p u t from domestic mines in 1956 rose 2 8 % above t h e previous year, to 24,177 flasks ( 7 6 pounds each). The Government's three-year price support plan ( $ 2 2 5 per flask, about $2.96 p e r p o u n d ) ran out last month a n d has just been extended. This h a s led operators to block out ore in advance of mining, rarely done normally because of t h e uncertainty of a future market. ( T h e U . S. Geological Survey gives total domestic reserves of all classes of ore as some 315,300 flasks.) These latest estimates show that rate of discovery is keeping pace with production. General imports more than doubled
over 1955, an abnormally low year, to r e a c h 52,000 flasks, b u t fell considerably below levels of other recent years. Kver since World W a r I I , consumption h a s been more than twice this country's o w n production. Imports, therefore, continue as a prime factor. T h e removal of export controls last year doubled exports over 1955 (to 1080 flasks). Re-exports jumped nearly eightfold ( t o 2025 flasks), over half of which went to Canada. Inventories, unusually low at the beginning of 1956 (10,028 flasks), rose to 22,310 by the year's end. Of this, only 1210 flasks w a s producers' stock; consumers a n d dealers held the rest, mostly for future chlorine caustic operations. T h e U. S. Government is said to b e no longer adding to its stockpile. • World Production Up. World production continued its upward trend, rising more than 5 % to nearly 200,000 flasks in 1956. Italy accounted for one third of the world figure, Spain one fifth, a n d t h e U . S. one eighth. In all, 147 mines contributed to domestic production last year, 19 of them accounting for 9 3 % of total output. California continued as the leading mercury producer with 3 7 % of the
c orrosioneerin
Quick facts about the services and equipment available to help you
Published
N ews
reduce corrosion and processing costs.
by The Pfaudler Co., Rochester,
N. Y., U. S. A.
Emergency at Gamma Chemical met by 3-day delivery of 500-gallon reactor W h e n e x t r a p r o c e s s i n g capacity w a s u r g e n t l y n e e d e d r e c e n t l y at G a m m a ' s G r e a t M e a d o w s p l a n t in N e w J e r s e y to c u s t o m p r o c e s s a n e w organic c h e m i c a l , G a m m a called P f a u d l e r and a s k e d h o w fast a 500-gallon r e a c t o r could b e s h i p p e d . " H o w a b o u t t h e day after t o m o r r o w , " c o u n t e r e d P f a u d l e r . "Sold!" said G a m m a . W a i v i n g t h e n o r m a l t e n - d a y delivery s c h e d u l e , P f a u d l e r rushed a standard unit through the s h o p e v e n before t h e c u s t o m e r ' s written order arrived. The emerg e n c y w a s m e t — a 500-gallon glassed steel r e a c t o r w a s s h i p p e d — i n j u s t three days' time! G a m m a C h e m i c a l ' s plight points u p o n e of t h e w a y s y o u can benefit f r o m P f a u d l e r ' s policy of stocking s t a n d a r d glassed steel r e a c t o r s . F a s t d e l i v e r y is only o n e of t h e savings, h o w e v e r . Y o u c a n also c u t initial c o s t s b y e l i m i n a t i n g special e n g i n e e r i n g d r a w i n g s , special p a r t s , a n d material custom-designed units r e quire. Y o u get a v e r s a t i l e , corrosion resistant reactor whenever you specify a s t a n d a r d P f a u d l e r glassed s t e e l v e s s e l — r e s i s t a n t to all acids ( e x c e p t H F ) a n d alkaline solutions u p t o p H 12 at 212° F . E a c h r e a c t o r is c o m p l e t e l y a s s e m b l e d a n d r e a d y to s n i p within t w o w e e k s from r e c e i p t of y o u r o r d e r .
R E A D Y T O G O . A s t a n d a r d 5 0 0 - g a l i o n reactor is r e a d i e d for quick s h i p m e n t to G a m m a C h e m ical. This vessel was on its w a y to G a m m a ' s G r e a t M e a d o w s p l a n t even b e f o r e a written o r d e r had arrivedl
T a k e a d v a n t a g e of G a m m a C h e m ical's e x p e r i e n c e a n d check with P f a u d l e r b e f o r e you b u y y o u r n e x t reactor. Contact your Pfaudler r e p r e s e n t a t i v e for m o r e information on s t a n d a r d r e a c t o r s . U n i t s stocked for t e n - d a y d e l i v e r y i n c l u d e t h e following capacities: 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 750, 1000 a n d 2000 gallons. C h e c k t h e c o u p o n for sizes in w h i c h you are interested.
Rotary seal, stuffing box interchangeable on Pfaudler reactors* T h e q u e s t i o n of w h e n to u s e a m e chanical r o t a r y seal versus a stuffing box c a n r e s o l v e itself simply to this: For a wide range of operating conditions -with minimum maintenance —the use of a seal is recommended.
In most n o r m a l s e r v i c e of low t e m p e r a t u r e a n d p r e s s u r e , t h e stuffing box is initially m o r e economical. H o w e v e r , as the s e r v i c e becomes m o r e s e v e r e , the r o t a r y seal is s u p e r i o r to t h e stuffing b o x on all four of t h e following points* 1. Chemical conditions. T h e seal p e r forms b e t t e r in processes w h i c h r e q u i r e freedom from l u b r i c a n t c o n t a m i n a t i o n , from v a p o r loss, a n d from contact with m e t a l . 2. Pressure. When p r e s s u r e r a n g e s from 100 t o 300 psi, t h e seal is n o r m a l l y r e q u i r e d . (Special designs a r e r a t e d up t o 1500 psi.)
3 . Temperature. Stuffing b o x e s t ec n d t o l e a k c o n s i d e r a b l y a b o v e 350 F . B y r u n n i n g c o o l a n t t h r o u g h the h o u s i n g of a r o t a r y seal, you can o p e r a t e at t e m p e r a t u r e s tolerable in Pfaudler reactors. 4 . Agitator speed. A l t h o u g h this is less critical t h a n other conditions, t h e seal is u s u a l l y r e c o m m e n d e d w h e n agitator s p e e d s exceed 150 rpm. To give you flexibility of operation, P f a u d l e r agitators are designed to u s e either seal or stuffing box on t h e same shaft. T h e shaft sleeve ( u p p e r r i g h t i n photo—left) is t h e i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e element. With a Hastelloy s l e e v e y o u u s e a stuffing box. Simply replace it with a "glassed" s l e e v e a n d you are r e a d y for a seal. O n 3" d i a m e t e r agitator shafts a n d larger, y o u c a n m a k e t h e c h a n g e o v e r in y o u r plant. If y o u w o u l d l i k e to study this question m o r e t h o r o u g h l y , t h e r e ' s c o n s i d e r a b l e f a c t u a l information in o u r B u l l e t i n N o . 938. C h e c k coupon for copy.
*When specified at time of purchase
Now available 1958 BUYER'S GUIDE B u l l e t i n 947 is a capsule of P f a u d l e r equipment and services. A r e y o u a w a r e of t h e w i d e r a n g e of m a t e r i a l s of c o n struction available t o you in P f a u d l e r e q u i p m e n t ? G l a s s e d steel, clad a n d stainless steels, certainly—but d o you k n o w the list also includes H a s telloy, nickel, Inconel, titanium, copper a n d z i r c o n i u m a m o n g others? Pfaudler reactors, columns and heat re x c h a n g e r s a r e c o m m o n p l a c e , b u t w e also m a k e such e q u i p m e n t a s wiped-film e v a p o r a t o r s , desludging centrifuges, v a c u u m d r y e r - b l e n d e r s , and piston fillers. T h e services, products, and t e c h n i cal aids supplied b y P f a u d l e r — a n d w e a d d to t h e list every y e a r — a r e covered in B u l l e t i n 947. THE P F A U D L E R C O . D e p f . C E N - 8 7 , Rochester 3, N . Y .
Please send m e information on standard reactors (check size) Q 30, Q 50, • 100, • 200, • 300, • 500, • 750, • 1000, • 2000; • Rotary seals and stuffing boxes, Bulletin938;| |Buyer's Guide, Bulletin 947. Name Title Company Address City Zone State AUG.
19,
1957
C&EN
89
MARKETS
New Text New Text A soft talc odor helps sell baby pants. A soap-fresh fragrance adds buy-appeal to shower curtains. Hand bags with a simulated leather odor have a real competitive advantage. Perhaps a n appealing odor—or freedom from objectionable odor —is just what your product needs! SINDAR can give you expert assistance. Our RESODORS were specifically
Sin BAR^
developed for use in plastics and rubber. T h e y a r e easy to use— j u s t add t h e oil a t any convenient point in your process. They'll stand u p under your temperatures t o o . There's a RESODOR t o give your product exactly the right odor appeal. M a y we send you samples a n d p u t our experience to work for you? *R«g. U.S. Pat. Off.
Grtpozdtcott, Industrial Aromatics and Chemicals
330 West 42nd Street • N e w York 36, N e w York
CHEMICAL ENGINEER Bachelor Science d e g r e e required with three or more years o f experience in Chemical Engineering for product a n d process development with leading plastics producer. tics
preferred
but
Previous e x p e r i e n c e in plasnot
required.
Challenging
opportunity with excellent possibility for advancement.
Attractive salary a n d exceptional fringe
benefits.
Reply in confidence to Box 900-J-8, C & E. N., Easton, Pa.
90
C&EN
AUG.
19,
1957
domestic total despite a 9% drop from its 1955 output. Nevada mines, posting a rise, made up 2 4 % of the total. Fast-growing Idaho (first full year's output from new Idaho-Almaden mine helped jack the state's production to three times its 1955 figure) and Alaska (Red Devil mine resumed operation last year) supplied 1 4 % each and were chiefly responsible for making t h e nation's 1956 production the highest since the war. Oregon's production was up 80% last year and provided 8% of national production. So far this year production continues to rise. Leading the growth are California's New Idria mine, where output has jumped by 2 0 0 % ; Alaska's Red Devil, booming under its new management; and Nevada's Cordero mine. Secondary production of mercury—' 5850 flasks—came mostly from reclaim of dental amalgam, oxide and acetate sludges, and battery scrap. This was substantially the same as 1954 but a marked drop from t h e 1955 figure of 10,030 flasks—high because of nonrecurring recovery from the scrapping of a sizable plant which used mercury. • Major Applications Rose. Consumption increased over 1955 for most uses, but total consumption dropped about 5% (to 54,100 flasks) because of declines in nonreported uses. All major uses rose above 1955 levels: • Agricultural uses, one fifth of total: up 34%. • Electrical apparatus, also one fifth: up 5%. •.Electrolysis for chlorine and caustic soda, one sixth of total: u p 8% . • Industrial and control instruments, one tenth of total: u p 9%. Relatively minor b u t still important uses increased, too. Catalysts applications were u p 19% and dental preparations, 13%. Three new mercury-using chlorine caustic plants went on stream last year: General Aniline at Linden, N. J.; Solvay Division of Allied Chemical at Brunswick, Ga.; a n d Weyerhauser at Longview, Wash. Monsanto's plant at Anniston, Ala., was expanded. Consumption by this industry continues to increase as more mercury cells are produced. So far in 1957, major examples are Pennsalt's chlorine expansion at Calvert City, Ky., a n d Olin-Mathieson's at Mackintosh, Ala. • Prices Keep in Line. The average quotation for mercury last year was
WEEK'S PRICE CHANGES Aug. 12, 1957 Advances CURRENT
PREVIOUS
0.0)450 Alumina, calcined, r.l.. lb. ? 0.0175 S 0.0320 H v d r a t o . bjigs. c.l.. l b . o.o:«r> 0.0)295 C).O:JIO H y d r a t e , lb., b u l k A l u m i n u m pitrments, l b . 0.15 0.47 Paste, std. lining O.8I/2 0.78>/2 P o w d e r , st.3.-)0 0.3.*).") 0.355 0.35
S3.42 per pound (nearly $260 per flask) in New York, a price about 10Vf beneath 1955's all-time annual high. Prices were down during the first half of 1956 and remained nearly constant for the rest of the year. London prices ran some two shillings per pound ($21 per flask) lower and fluctuated more. Quotations there averaged 15% below 1955's high. For the first half of this year, domestic mercury prices have remained in line with the preceding six months. London quotations, edging upward, have not been reflected in this country. Prices here have stayed within the range of $252 to $256 per flask:, but with production climbing so fast experts look for a noticeably softer market.
•-•CT,VBG^iw^W...
ANSWER TO YOUR OXIDATION REQUIREMENT? . . . here's
fiow Upjohn
solved
a
problem
To meet the increased demand for cortisone compounds, the Upjohn Company developed a selective ozonolysis process that utilizes raw materials readily available, such as ergosterol or stigmasterol. In this process ozone cleaves a side-chain double bond, forming an aldehyde, which is then further treated to produce hydrocortisone. As indicated in the illustration, cleavage of a side-chain double bond is accomplished while a nuclear double bond remains intact. With the aid of Welsbach ozone, this process now makes hydrocortisone available at costs far lower than were possible by the use of older techniques. The Welsbach Corporation pioneered the development of dependable ozonators capable of producing any amount of ozone, including large tonnage quantities. Typical of the new and diverse uses being found for this versatile compound is its application as a rocket fuel oxidizer and its utilization in the synthesis of jet lubricants. One of the most powerful oxidants known, ozone is comparatively inexpensive, limitless in supply and may be just the answer to your oxidation problem. Why not call or write Write for this booklet on WelsWelsbach today? bach Ozone Generation for Industrial Application. Please indicate company and title.
THE WELSBACH ~\^/zONE
CORPORATION
PROCESSES
DIVISION
O E P T . O O O . 1 5 t h 8, W A L N U T PHILADELPHIA AUG.
STS.
2, P E N N S Y L V A N I A 19,
1957
C&EN
91
