•My, I-fi»nwem*mamgees sβsiΛ1 «r±vUHICIVIWIHB THÉ CHEMICAL WORLD THiS WEEK
C h e m i c a l progress in the past half century was featured at the ACS exhibit
N e w a n d Improved Items Shown A t N o t i o n a l Chemical Exposition C&EN REPORTS: Sixth National Chemical Exposition CHICAGO.—Neither the prospects of war nor t h e consequences of a soda ash shorta g e seemed to disturb manufacturers a n d distributors of chemicals a n d chemical e q u i p m e n t as t h e y displayed their latest improvements a n d newest products at t h e SLxth National Chemical Exposition held at t h e Coliseum here during t h e week of the
118th
M e e t i n g of
ICAL SOCIETY,
AMERICAN
Sept. 5 to 9.
In
CHEM-
several
cases t h e units shown were completed just in time for t h e exposition a n d before advertising literature c o u H b e prepared. Visitors could discern at least t w o distinct t r e n d s in r e g a r d to process equipment a n d materials of construction. First was t h e increased emphasis placed by manufacturers on corrosion- a n d heat-resistance. Second w a s t h e greatly extended use of plastics, frequently as t h e new element in e q u i p m e n t t h a t h a d been shown b e fore in o t h e r materials. F e a t u r e d as p a r t of t h e exposition was t h e First International Exhibit of Art by chemists a n d chemical engineers. Attendance at t h e exposition approximated 2 1 , 000, as shown b y registration of visitors. Starting on Tuesday with an attendance of over 2,600, t h e peak was reached on T h u r s d a y with 6,170. Chemical P r o d u c t s Picturesque displays of their chemical wares b y exhibitors at t h e Sixth National Chemical Exposition w e r e a tribute to the vigorous research and commercial d e velopment programs of t h e companies. In V O L U M E
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some cases functional exhibits, designed to emphasize uses in an unlimited r a n g e of e n d products, were offered for inspection; others pictured the production sequence, illustrating t h e benefits to m a n kind of exploiting natural resources. Among t h e more popular of the 400 new chemical products exhibited were surface active agents a n d detergents, agricultural chemicals, resins, lithium salts, zirconium, and gallium, a n d a host of intermediates. Tennessee Eastman, a newcomer t o the exposition, brought out sodium cellulose sulfate which has t h e useful property of rapidly increasing t h e viscosity of water solutions. SCS was suggested as a detergent aid, as a n addition t o water paints, a thickening or stiffening agent in foods, and as a sizing agent in t h e textile field. Hydroquinone derivatives, butylated hydroxyanisole a n d t h e dimethyl ether of hydroquinone, were also offered. The former stabilizes fats and oils, while t h e ether exhibits odor retention properties and has a fragrance similar to sweet clover. Tennessee Eastman reported that triethyl phosphate, a basic intermediate in t h e preparation of t h e insecticide tetraethyl pyrophosphate, w a s available in commercial amounts. Among the surface active agents, Armour and Co. listed Arquad 2C and 2 H T , dilauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride and distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, r e spectively. Both m a y be used to m a k e cationic oil emulsions which are substantive to textiles, metallic, a n d silicious surf acts; the former also has germicidal
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properties, while the 2 H T acts as a softening agent for cellulose materials. Commercial Solvents exhibited Alkarterge C which is useful as an oil soluble wetting agent, antifoam agent, pigment grinding assistant, and as an acid acceptor and stabilizer in nonaqueous systems. Also offered were nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane and 2-nitropropane, 2amino-2-methyl-l,'3-propanediol, and 2amino-2-methyl-l-propanol. Alrose Chemical Co. exhibited the Alrolenes, detergents for use in petroleum and chlorinated solvents; Alrosept MBC50. a quaternary ammonium germicide: Alrodynes which are nonionic emulsifiers for agricultural sprays; Alrowet CA, and alky] phenol polymethyleiie sulfonate with wetting, foaming, and dispersing properties; and Alrosperse 4 0 K , an alkylnaphthalenc sulfonate dispersing agent. T h e Nacconol line of detergents was exhibited by National Aniline Division of Allied Chemical and Dye Corp. Heptachlor, an insecticide which Velsicol Corp. has developed to t h e pilot plant stage, has demonstrated high insecticidal activity and reduced residual toxicity. Monsanto also suggested use of a homolog of Parathion, dimethyl-p-nitrophenol thionophosphate, available for the first time in commercial quantities, as an insecticide and miticide. Also introduced by Monsanto was a selective herbicide, 4chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid, a homolog of 2,4-D. Davison Chemical Co. exhibited its superphosphate and mixed fertilizer products. Polyester resins of t h e fumarate and other types were suggested by Atlas Powder Co. as alkyd components of laminating resins when copolymerized with styrène or vinyl compounds. Also offered was a plasticizer Pycal 7 1 which has a high degree of solvency for cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose propionate. Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Division of Union Carbide and Carbon Corp. exhibited two chemicals which may b e copolymerized. Methacrolein copolymers with acrylonitrile. acrylic, and methacrylic esters, and with styrene and polyhydric alcohols offer interesting properties, while isopropenyl acetate copolymers with vinyl chloride or acetate and esters of maleic and fumaric acid find application in molding and cast sheeting. Aluminum Salts Many aluminum salts were displayed by Aluminum Co. of America, and commercial quantities of gallium in high purity metallic form were offered. Foote Mineral Co. displayed lithium a n d zirconium products wlvch have found a number of industrial uses. Lithium carbonate, hydroxide, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, stéarate, and hydroxystearate are available and have found acceptance in greases and in porcelain enamels. Zirconium is used as a getter in electron tubes and igniter in flash bulbs. 3343
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
T w o hits of the show were the "mini p u m p " displayed by the Milton Roy C o . and the Kern LK-30 microelectrophoresis apparatus, an import from Switzerland shown by the Kern Co. and the A. S. Aloe Co. Intermediates Carbide a n d Carbon offered a number of new intermediate chemicals, including four alkyl benzoates; 2-butyloctanol which may replace lauryl alcohol mixtures; 2methyl-5-ethyl pyridine; three a-methylbenzyl amines which offer possibilities as emulsifying agents or in reactions to prepare amine salts and amides; and _V,N-diethylethylenediamine. Monsanto displayed 33 new chemicals which covered several fields of application. Two thiophene derivatives, phenyl-2thienyl ketone and 2-thiopheneearboxaldehyde, are available in commercial quantities and are suggested as intermediates in the pharmaceutical industry, while a third, 2-bromothiophene is manufactured in pilot plant quantities. In addition, a chemical suggested for use in antitubercular therapy, p-forrnylaeetanilidethiosemicarbazone, was offered. Three chemicals for the dyestuff and textile field were displayed, while the isocyanate line was augmented with the introduction of ethyl isocyanate. A new inhibitor, choline chloride, the chemical which stimulates poultry growth, was announced, and of interest to the housewife w a s the development of an aerosol preparation to prevent mildewing. T h e active ingredient in t h e nontoxic solution is copper 8-quinolinolate. Victor Chemical Co. demonstrated the properties of some of its phosphate chemicals. Monocalcium phosphate is a chemical leavening agent which is effective because it slows gas release. Other phosphates have found important application as dentifrice polishing agents. Davison Chemical Co. exhibited its silica gel catalysts and dehydrating agents. A variety of silicofluorides were also shown and included those of potassium, ammonium, magnesium, zinc, and sodium. Process Equipment Contamination-Proof T h e accent on corrosion resistance and contamination-proofness was especially evident in the booths of the process equipment manufacturers. Virtually all companies which displayed kettles or other
3344
reactors, materials handling equipment for chemicals, chemical machinery, pressure equipment, and specialty items for the chemical process industries, featured stainless steel, ceramics, plastics, glass, or other special materials which offer corrosion r e sistance at reasonable cost to t h e chemical manufacturer. A new line of stainless steel kettles a n d cookers was displayed by Royce L. Parker, Inc., with emphasis on full steam-jacketed kettles of sanitary seamless construction. T h e Parker organization was one of many which were exhibiting this year for t h e first time in a national chemical exposition. T h e Groen Manufacturing Co. also exhibited steam-jacketed stainless steel kettles, with agitators, and a special line of self-contained Dowtherm jacketed kettles. Corrosion-resistant alloy reactors suitable for high pressure developmental work were featured by Glascote Products, Inc., also widely known for glass-lined tanks, kettles, and other chemical processing equipment. Chemical stoneware, chemical porcelain, and impregnated graphite process vessels were shown by General Ceramics and Steatite Corp. An interesting item in this exhibit was a sample of porcelain pipe armored with laminated plastic. T h e U. S. Stoneware Co. presented its line of corrosion-resistant equipment and materials, including protective coatings, tank lining materials, and chemical porcelain vessels and grinding and mixing equipment. Special attention was given to its protective Tygon paint for use in chemical plants, and to Tygon flexible plastic tubing for handling many corrosive chemicals. T h e tubing is now available in six standard formulations, which embrace a wide range of corrosion-resisting properties for use with most industrial chemical fluids. Other chemical machinery at the exposition included filters, centrifuges, mixing and blending equipment, pulverizers, separators, and dryers. A full-scale Autosluice filter, cut away to show its stainless steel construction and improved self-cleaning
CHEMICAL
deslga, was given prominence by the Niagara Filter Corp. A visual demonstration of filters for achieving microscopic clarity for all commercial chemical fluids was presented b y Commercial Filters Corp. A pilot plant model in actual operation illustrated Merco Centrifugal Co.'s continuous centrifuge f o r use in the chemical processing industries. E q u i p m e n t for heating, agitating, and evaporating corrosive a n d noncorrosive solutions was offered by Submerged Combustion Co., Inc. Scale models o f a roller mill, a mechanical air separator, and pulverizing a n d separating units were displayed by the Raymond Pulverizer Division of Combustion Engineering-Superheater, Inc., who also featuured flash drying equipment. Demonstrations o f mixers, kneaders. gyrating sifter roller mills, and blending e q u i p m e n t for c h e m i c a l processors were presented by t h e J. H. Day Co., Inc., while the Pulverizing Machinery Co. illustrated its Mikro-Pulverizers a n d other machines used in preparation of materials for t h e chemicals, foodstuffs, cosmetics, plastics, a n d pharamaceuticals industries. Unit Operations Equipment Continuing the emphasis on combatting corrosion, several manufacturers of unit operations equipment showed n e w plastics and stainless steels as materials of construction for otherwise umLmproved equipment. It was interesting t o note the number of applications for Teflon as a packing or gasketing material. Completed just in t i m e for t h e exposition was the n e w No. 1 S P Mikro-Pulverizer shown by Pulverizing Machinery Co. Designed to handle moist and sticky material, the demonstrated machine was said to have a capacity of 10O to 5O0 pounds per hour d e p e n d i n g upon t h e t y p e of feed. Pulverized product is d o w n to 14 t o 20 mesh screening. A newly designed industrial filter was announced by Micro Metallic Corp. Although t h e filter uses t h e same type of porous stainless steel elements that previous models have, the feature i s a novel
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THE C H E M I C A L W O R L D THIS WEEK method to eliminate recirculation for precoat. It is possible to start a slurry through the filter and take off clear product immediately. It is expected that this design will b e rapidly accepted by the industry. A stainless steel b a t c h filter having 10gal. capacity was t h e Filter Paper Co.'s contribution to the exposition's n e w products list. Operated in much the same way as a Buchner funnel, it is especially well suited for the preparation of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food products, a n d beverages b y virtue of its sanitary, stainless steel construction. T h e Titeflex, Inc. exhibit included a new t y p e of cylindrical screen for standard filters. Available in any alloy that can be d r a w n into wire, t h e screen consists of coiled wire having a triangular cross section, which is designed to minimize clogging. This cross-sectional design also promotes efficient backwashing, since the backwash water reaches its greatest velocity at the point of support of t h e filter cake. Using glass equipment, the Selas Corp. demonstrated their method of liquidliquid separation. F e a t u r e of t h e Selas m e t h o d is a c o m p l e t e phase separation by means of special m e m b r a n e s and t h e elimination of all moving parts. Actual industrial separators are constructed of carbon steel or stainless steel, b u t the glass apparatus gave a m p l e evidence of t h e effectiveness of t h e basic principle. T h e National Carbon division of Union C a r b i d e and C a r b o n Corp. threw its spotfight on its Karbate shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Resistant to thermal shock and corrosive media, the new impervious g r a p h i t e heat exchanger, series 240A, has 70.6 sq. ft. of external heat transfer surface or almost three times that of the older, series 70A exchangers. W h e r e more
than 70.6 sq. ft. of surface are r e q u i r e d , two or more units may be operated in series. T h e r e c o m m e n d e d maximum hydrostatic pressure on both the shell and tube sides is 7 5 lb. per square inch, while the m a x i m u m working t e m p e r a t u r e is 338° F . Single-, double-, or four-pass routing of t h e tube-side fluid is effected by t h e adjustment of t h e end cover assemblies. Stainless steel baffles a n d neoprene or asbestos gaskets are employed. In addition t o their new heat exchanger, National C a r b o n also exhibited a special tool for t h r e a d i n g Karbate pipe in t h e field, eliminating t h e need for t h e lathe turning of K a r b a t e threads. Stressing its mono-bed deionizers, t h e Illinois W a t e r T r e a t m e n t Co. displayed ion-exchange equipment for the purification of w a t e r and other liquids. For t h e preparation of water free of bacterial wastes, the Aetna Scientific C o . gave prominence t o its deionizers normally attached to t h e vapor lines of water stills. C l a u d e B. Schneible Co. featured a multiwash collector for fumes, odors, dusts, and vapors, recently applied successfully to fume control in the varnish industry. Selas Corp. of America offered its VapeSorber for the continuous removal of liquids, dirt, and oil vapor from contaminated gases. Ceramic tubular filters take out t h e liquids a n d dirt, while activated carbon removes t h e oil vapor. Cyclone-type dust collectors w e r e featured at t h e Dustex Corp. exhibit. T h e 1)52 dust collector is capable of removing 1009r of all particles greater t h a n 14 microns, 9 9 % of the particles from 10—13 microns, 9 5 % from -5—9 microns, a n d 6 0 ' r from 0—4 microns. While t h e D 5 2 dust collector is designed to h a n d l e air velocities of 63 cu. ft. per minute, t h e
Lester D . Berger, Jr., Union C a r b i d e a n d Carbon, d e m o n s t r a t e s a n e w line of chemically resistant clothing m a d e of dynel.
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» SEPTEMBER
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D 5 4 model can cope w i t h 118 cu. ft. per m i n u t e at 4-in. water-gage pressure. A dust collector using t h e Hersey reverse-jet principle was d e m o n s t r a t e d by the Day Co. T h e filter is specially designed for rigid requirements such as t h e handling of radioactive dusts. T h e reverse air jet cleaning mechanism gives continuous and automatic operation with constant air volumes and eliminates shutdowns for cleanings. A cleaning efficiency of 99.99 f V or better is claimed for this type of filter. Dual-Cone fractionators for separating finely ground materials according to particle size were featured by Prater Pulverizer Co. Fabricated from stainless steel, nickel, or Monel, these fractionators come in 21 sizes having capacities ranging from 500 to 20.000 lb. per hour. Pumps Chemical p u m p s a n d machinery received m u c h attention at t h e exposition, with many booths including samples of equipment in these categories. T h e Hasco Valve and Machine C o . displayed molten sulfur p u m p s a n d sulfur b u r n e r s , along with its corrosion-resistant valves of stainless steel, Hastelloy, Illium, pure nickel, and Monel. T h e Illium C o r p . featured p u m p s m a d e of Illium, as well as other process equipment which utilizes wrought or cast Illium. T h e LaBour Co., Inc., exhibited a new vertical p u m p with a special packingless seal. Flex-I-Liner p u m p s for corrosive and abrasive liquids a n d gases w e r e shown by the Vanton P u m p Co., a n d the Worthington P u m p a n d Machinery Corp. presented the H a v e g ( p l a s t i c ) p u m p among other corrosion and corrosion-abrasion resistant p u m p s a n d valves. A n e w acid p u m p was presented b y S u b m e r g e d Combustion Co.. inc.
Right. W a l t e r Schalk of Arthur S. L a P i n e & C o . shows inner workings of their n e w electronic b a l a n c e called t h e M e t r o g r a m
1950
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THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK Nelson Chemical Proportioning P u m p s were included in t h e exhibit of t h e W r i g h t Chemical Corp., whose principal display dealt with commercial water conditioning processes for scale prevention a n d t h e in hibition of corrosion. A new controlled-volume p u m p for handling small quantities of clear liquids was t h e focus of attention at the Milton Roy booth. C a p a b l e of delivering from 3 to 7 2 5 m l . per hr., the Mini-Pump has been suggested for use in a d d i n g perfumes to soaps, injecting odorants in natural gas a n d antifreeze into gas lines, a n d a d d i n g vitamins to food p r o d u c t s a n d dyes to paper stock. T h e liquid-end construction is stainless steel a n d normally t h e p a c k i n g is Teflon. Precisely calibrated, t h e p u m p ' s output is varied by the adjustment of its p l u n g e r stroke. T h e M i n i - P u m p m a y b e obtained either motor- or air-driven a n d , based upon the p u m p i n g of distilled w a t e r , it is c a p a b l e of operation at pressures u p to 1,000 lb. per s q u a r e inch. The new chemical feed p u m p d e m o n strated by the American Instrument Co. invited m a n y inquiries from visitors. T h e p u m p is t o be built in three sizes, t h e largest with a capacity of 3.38 gallons per hour against a pressure of 30,000 pounds per square inch. F e a t u r e of t h e p u m p is t h e n e w l y designed stroke a d justment; t h e rate of feed can b e c h a n g e d b y very small a m o u n t s quite easily a n d in all cases t h e adjustment is m a d e in such a manner t h a t t h e piston completely evac uates t h e cylinder on each stroke. Worthington Pump and Machinery Corp. featured W o r t h i t e p u m p s provided with new mechanical seals t o take t h e place of conventional stuffing boxes.
Materials of
Construction
A m o n g t h e corrosion-resistant materials offered by General Ceramics and Steatite Corp. were two modified phenolic resins. Available in castings or laminates, these plastics—known as Kemplas N o . 1 a n d 2 a r e designed for use in pipes, fittings, valves, p u m p s , towers, reaction vessels, and storage tanks. Stable up to 375° F . , these resins are capable of withstanding attack by a w i d e assortment of corrosive media. T h e Barco Manufacturing Co. stressed its n e w line of corrosion-resistant flexible joints, available in stainless steel, Hastelloy, Monel, aluminum, and other con struction materials. Teflon gaskets are em ployed in t h e Barco ball-, swivel-, or swing-type flexible joints. Borundum grinding media were in the limelight at t h e U. S. Stoneware exhibit. These cylin drical grinding agents, measuring 13Λβ in. both in diameter and length, are nonmetallic, nonconducting, a n d nonmag netic. Displaying high resistance to me chanical a n d thermal shock, t h e y a r e inert to acids, alkalies, a n d most corrosive agents. Outstanding for its hardness, B o r u n d u m rates 9 on t h e Mohs hardness scale, as compared with 10 for diamonds, 6 . 5 - 7 . 0 for flint pebbles, and 6.0-7.0 for porcelain balls. T h e specific gravity of B o r u n d u m is 3.95-4.10, in contrast to 2 . 0 0 - 2 . 5 0 for flint pebbles a n d 2.30-2.50 for porcelain balls. In addition to Pyrex p i p e a n d precision g r o u n d glass, the C o r n i n g exhibit featured a n e w 6-in. bubble-cap fractionating column. Alumina refractories and cata lysts, as well as activated alumina for c h r o m a t o g r a p h i c studies, were in t h e fore front of t h e Aluminum Co. of America display. Gallium also re ceived a share of the attention. Instruments and Laboratory Equipment M a k e it cheaper, more compact, a n d more versatile seems to b e the word of the manufacturers of instruments and laboratory equip m e n t if exhibits at t h e Sixth Na tional Chemical Exposition are to b e taken as a criterion. Also no ticed was t h e reappearance of for eign lines a m o n g t h e displays of equipment distributors.
T h e glories of Nacconol detergent w e r e demonstrated for t h e press by a professional model posing in the display of t h e National Aniline Division, Allied Chemical & D y e Corp.
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CHEMICAL
Laboratory a n d pilot plant models of hypersonic e q u i p m e n t on display b y t h e Brush Development Co. attracted many inquiries as t h e device appears to have uses in creating emulsions, agglomerations, degassing, dispersions, to mention a few. Heart of the equipment is the barium titanate ceramic which oscillates up to 400,000 times per second to produce ultra sonic waves. T h e pilot plant model, on display for the first time, makes possible the testing of t h e practicality of t h e use of ultrasonics on a production scale. O n e of t h e n e w e s t items on exhibit at the show was t h e Kern microelectro phoresis aparatus, built in Switzerland by Kern & Co. Ltd. T h e instrument is small a n d compact a n d is designed for the quantitative analysis of as little as 0.4 ml. of complex solutions containing high molecular weight substances, including solutions of some turbidity. T h e machine was also shown at t h e booth of A. S. Aloe Co., where, in addition, a D e F o n b r u n e pneumatic micromanipulator and a microforge for glass blowing were on display. New Fluorimeter A photoelectric fluorimeter designed pri marily for all types of fluorometric analysis and useful in colorimetry and nephelometry was shown b y t h e Central Scien tific Co. Developed by Cenco in collabo ration with T. E . F r i e d e m a n n , Northwest ern University, a n d G. S. Liebeck, Ameri can Telephone & T e l e g r a p h Co., the instru ment is called t h e Cenco-FriedemannLiebeck fluorimeter; its w i d e range of use was described in t h e January issue of Analytical Chemistry. Cenco also h a d on display its p l l titration assembly and a new moisture balance. F e a t u r e d at t h e booth of the Gamma Scientific Co. was t h e n e w Sartorius auto matic balance, a single p a n affair which requires only t h e t u r n i n g of a knob to get readings rapidly to 0.01 mg. Also shown w e r e a n e w refractometer in which t h e prism always remains in a horizontal position and a h a n d spectroscope manu factured by Zeiss. Zeiss instruments were also on view at t h e booth of W . H . Kessel & Co., with t h e reminder t h a t Zeiss parts were once again becoming available. They also dis played the latest model Perkin-Elmer Corp. infrared spectrophotometer and a plug-in Coleman p H meter. An unbreakable Gooch-type crucible that can b e disassembled for cleaning or for changing or replacement of filter ele ments was shown for t h e first time by t h e Hank Co. Called t h e Berlthimble, it is m a d e of an alloy which is resistant to strong oxidizing agents, acids, alkalies, extreme heat, cold, and pressure. It can b e substituted in almost any situation where ordinary clay crucibles are used. Arthur S. L a P i n e & Co., featured their electronic balance, called the Metrogram. Designed to b r i d g e the gap between t h e analytical b a l a n c e a n d t h e platform bal ance, it can h a n d l e a load up to 10 kg. and h a s a sensitivity of 5 0 m g . A low-cost de-
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THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
R o b e r t E>alton, \J. S. Gypsum, observes d e m o n s t r a t i o n of the Worthington EA ehernical-rnechanical p u m p seal by F r e d W a i t e , Worthington sales engineer mineralizer capable of removing impurities down to 2 p.p.m. at a rate of 5 gal. per h o u r was also shown. A lower cost, more compact model of i t s well Iknown collecting apparatus was displayed by the Technicon Co. A m u c h smaller fraction collector was exhibited jtt the b o o t h of the H. S. Martin Co. I n this mtodel the central distributing arm m o v e s instead of the collecting tubes. A photoelectric device called the Hurletroo. Purifil and said to provide "continuous, accurate detection of cloudiness, 3. sign o£ suspended solids, in liquids or gases," w a s shown by t h e Chem-Pro E q u i p m e n t Co. Useful in t h e laboratory, t h e instrument is claimed to b e rugged e n o u g h t o withstand continuous use as a. production tool. A combination flask and separatory funn e l was on display by Scientific Glass .Apparatus Co., Inc. It claimed t h e advantage o f avoiding transfer losses b y permitting many operations to b e carried o n in a single vessel. T h e Beckmann Instrument Co. presented its newly designed flame photometer. Claims a r e wider application, greater ease of operation, smaller, and lower cost. A l u m i n u m clamps were introduced at t h e exhibits of Precision Scientific C o . and Schaar & Co. T h e s e lightweight clamps are said to have passed preliminary tests with flying colors, " h e latter company demonstrated t h e Lindberg I I - F combustion unit, an induction furnace for the ignition of samples in carbon and sulfur determinations i n iron and steel samples. Another variation of such an induction furnace 'was shown by Fisher Scientific Co. They also featured a gas analyzer equipped with b a l l socket joints on t h e manifold to eliminate t h e use of r u b b e r connections. A periodic chart designed for teachability a n d simplicity was shown, which VOLUME
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included data on the newest element, californium. T h e Micromanometer, a vacuum gage displayed by t h e Consolidated Engineering Corp., has a range from 0.1 micron to 150 microns. A diaphragm-type instrument, it is independent of the gas within the system. An air-operated control system in combination with a strip chart recorder for use where electric contacts would create a hazard were to be seen at the booth of the Wheelco Instrument Co. An interchangeable miniature laboratory assembly was featured by Ace Glass Co. Corning Glass Works emphasized precision ground stopcocks and joints available on its glassware. Parr Instrument Co. showed laboratory scale reaction apparatus for use at 1,000 p.s.i. and 350° C. General Electric X-Ray Corp. demonstrated t h e versatility of its x-ray absorption analysis equipment. A mercury oxifier was shown by the Bethlehem Apparatus Co., who also introduced dessicator jars. These are simple screw cap jars providing cheap storage. Presently used in metallurgical labs, the jars are soon to be offered for student use.
for a variety of uses. In t h e materials handling line, Link-Belt Co. featured its positive action vibrating conveyor w h i c h can be made gastight, but which can also be louvered for cooling and drying purposes. This and other companies are prepared to meet divergent needs in similar lines by fabricating equipment f r o m a variety of construction materials. Conveyors, for example, can be rubber-lined or made of stainless steel. Prominently featured by Hapman Conveyors, Inc., was a new tubular C a b l e Veyor designed to run at speeds of between five and 300 ft. per minute. The conveyor is composed of regularly s p a c e d , circular flights built of synthetic r u b b e r or plastic and mounted on preformed wire cable. Totally enclosed, it can h a n d l e a wide variety of materials, including abrasives and powders.
Safety F e a t u r e Built I n Safety equipment manufacturers exhibiting their products at the Sixth National Chemical Exposition a p p e a r e d to have left no stone u n t u r n e d in seeking out the needs of the chemical industry. Among manufacturers of equipment designed specifically for safety applications, Acme Protection E q u i p m e n t Co. was alone in presenting a history of gas mask development. T h e newer models on display featured wide visibility in addition to versatility. Connection from most of the masks can be made to either a cannister strapped to the waist, or one worn on the chin, or to a hose leading to a tank. For corrosive atmospheres the flexible rubber masks are m a d e of neoprene. Work clotbing designed for acid, caustic, and fire resistance was shown by Union Carbide. This clothing for laboratory or plant wear, fabricated by ChemWear Inc., is m a d e of Carbide's product dynel, a crimped, short staple fiber. Made into "regular-weight" men's shirts and trousers it is designed to overcome the disadvantages of the older cumbersome aprons and coats. T h e Armed Forces exhibited on a miniature scale equipment including a decontamination truck a d a p t e d from similar mobile equipment used in agricultural spraying applications. The truck has been outfitted for use in radioactively or otherwise chemically contaminated areas and is capable of flushing or spraying, according to the need. It carries tanks with spray or hose attachments. Workers are not protected in the truck so must wear suitable clothing and masks.
fields.
Conveyors Other manufacturers have incorporated safety features into equipment designed
SEPTEMBER
2 5,
1950
Packaging At the Fifth National Exposition in 1948 the big news in containers w a s use of polyethylene liners. Today m a n y of the bonding problems involved in use of this material have been solved a n d as a consequence t h e polyethylene t r e n d has not onlv continued but expanded to new St. Regis Sales Corp. featured polyethylene-lined bags with the liner laminated to kraft, with seams and ends sewn and reinforced. According to one spokesman of this company, one of the notable t r e n d s in packaging in this country is use o f the valve bag. Valve filling has come i n t o its own since this procedure received wide attention and heavy use during W o r l d W a r II. St. Regis featured its new automatic 325-PB valve bag filling m a c h i n e , which was designed primarily for fertilizer b u t ean be used for other products c a p a b l e of being handled by the belt filling principle. It is a 2-tube, preweighing m a c h i n e recommended for granular materials or products which must be handled carefully to avoid pulverization or c a k i n g due to friction or heat. Under average o p e r a t ing conditions, production ranges from 8 to 10 80-lb. bags per minute or, with 100-lb. bags, from 6 to 8 per m i n u t e . Union Bag and Paper Corp. featured multiwall bags exclusively, with three main classifications: one type had a claycoated lining to permit fast stripping. A second was asphalt-laminated inside with wet-strength paper on the outside. T h e third had a polyethylene liner and was water repellent outside. Some bags are fabricated specifically for p r o d u c t s which must he stacked in h a n d l i n g procedure and are m a d e of creped k r a f t outside for this nonskid purpose. A drum for bulk shipments of 10 t o 400 lb. has been part of E m e r y - C a r p e n t e r Container Co.'s line for some y e a r s , but only recently has Interstate C o m m e r c e Commission accepted the 5- and 10-gal. sizes, properly coated, for s h i p m e n t of liquids. Emery-Carpenter disrjlayed this drum 3347
THE CHEfvWCÂL WORLD Ï H Î S WEEK .dung with its Presto-Form line, which is made hydraulically in 65 sizes. The body or shell is a continuously wound, onepiece side wall, with top and bottom formed from a continuation of the full thickness of the body. Side walls are placed in the bottom at right angles without requiring cutting or squaring of the board. Closure is by a formed o>v»*r which fits
over a flute, to prevent air blocking and binding during opening a n d closing of the drum. Sealing tape of kraft or gummed cambric is applied to a flushed closed surface for siftproofness. Re-use value of these drums is high in intraplant applications but refilling for re peated shipment is expensive because the empty containers, on an individual drum rate, require double first class freight rate.
Chemical Trail Blazers Variety was the watchword in the Chemical Trail Blazers exhibits, which were deployed about the Coliseum baljony. Entered by individuals from universities, industrial and government laboratories, and other institutions, the 61 displays depicted recent advances in chemical research and technology. Although each exhibit was mounted on a standard sized panel, various media were used, including printed text, drawings, photographs, samples of chemicals, and models. T h e subject matter represented in the Chemical Trail Blazers, an educational feature of the Sixth National Chemical Exposition, covered a wide range of developments of interest to chemists and chemical engineers. Among the highlights to be gleaned from the displays were the following: © A new series of synthetic lubricants, the polyalkylene glycols, merely break down into volatile decomposition products under degenerative oxidizing conditions. Since they do not polymerize or resinify as do mineral oils, they have unusual resistance to the formation of sludge, gum, and carbon. Exhibited by F. H. Roberts and W. j . Toussant, Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corp., and H. R. Fife, Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, ο Phloroglucinol, derived among other intermediates from T N T , bas been found to impart to simpler dyes the ability to dye Orion fiber without the use of as sistants such as aniline a n d w-cresol. Ex hibited by E d m u n d W. Lowe, Edwal Laboratories, and W. N. Cheng and R. N. Shreve, Purdue University. Two from
3348
exhibits fats by
showing new chemicals Armour & Co. workers
ο Transformation of the graphite in cast iron from flake to spheroidal form has produced a new engineering m a t e r i a l ductile iron. It is done by introducing 0.05 Ή of magnesium into cast iron. Ten sile strength is more than doubled, duc tility greatly improved. Exhibited by Albert P. Gagnebin, Keith D. Millis, and Norman B. Pilling, t h e International Nickel Co., Inc. ο Intravenous anesthetics of the thiobarbiturate group are not selectively concen trated in the central nervous system, con trary to previous indications. This has been shown by studies with sulfur 35tagged Penthothal. Exhibited by D . L. Tabern. J. D. Taylor, and G. I. Gleason, Abott Laboratories. ο Warfarin, a coumarin derivative and first synthesized as an anticoagulant, is effective as a rodenticide. Employed in doses relatively nontoxic to other animals and to man, it is odorless, tasteless, and slow-acting, and produces no symptoms that would result in bait shyness. Ex hibited by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. © T h e liquid meniscus in a buret can be eliminated by addition of a surface ten sion depressant to the reagent. T h e buret is easily read at the interface of the liquid and the foam that forms at the top of the column. Parallax is avoided and the drops are smaller. Exhibited by W. P. Cortelyou, Gladys Krakow, and C. Leah Rabinovitz, Roosevelt College. © A new process of chemically retting seed flax straw, which yields a high-grade linen, may mean that one crop of flax will serve as common source for both linseed oil and line ι. I n s u l t : expanded produc tion of both materials without increasing present acreage of flax. Exhibited b y L. H. Reyerson, University of Minnesota. ο Sodium monofluorophosphate is as effective as sodium fluoride in preventing dental lesions, according to animal tests, and is much less toxic. Exhibited byHarold C. Hodge and John W. Hein, Uni versity of Rochester, and W a y n e E. White, Ozark-Mahoning Co. ο A new principle of agitation in canning foods permits the use of higher tempera tures, improves the quality of many heatsensitive products. It is end-over-end ro tation around axes outside the can at a speed resulting in a centrifugal force equivalent to gravity; penetration of heat is increased, maximum turbulence is CHEMICAL
Chemists of the leather section, National B u r e a u of Standards, s h o w h o w impreg nation with natural rubber greatly im proves quality of sole l e a t h e r created. Exhibited by L. E. Clifcorn, G. T. Peterson, J. M. Boyd, F. W . Parrin, and J. Newman, Continental Can Co. ο Phosphoric compounds are much more effective t h a n phosphorous compounds as intermediate sources of phosphorus to crops. The latter must oxidize from phos phite to phosphate before becoming avail able. Exhibited by W. H . Maclntire, S. II. Wintcrberg, L. J. Hardin, A. J. Sterges, and L . B. Clements, University of Tennes see. ο Complete loss of hair with disappear ance of hair follicles and subaceous glands follows within 10 days after a single a p plication to laboratory animals of t h e mix ture of cyclic and short chain polymers formed by refluxing chloroprene with an antioxidant, such as p-ferf-butylcatecbol. T h e change is not permanent, however, since the hair is restored and normal epi dermal structure returns after 6 weeks. Applications of this p h e n o m e n o n to treat ment of scalp ringworm, cancer research, and dermatology are being studied. Ex hibited by Peter Flesch, Sheldon B. Goldstone, and F r e d D. W e i d m a n , University of Pennsylvania. ο Copper chlorophyllin, which inhibits acid-producing bacteria, is believed to aid in preventing tooth decay a n d in over coming mouth odors. Exhibited by Gustav Wm. Rapp and B. F. Gurney, Loyola University. ο Oil and protein may b e separated simul taneously from oilseed by a water-grinding centrifugation process that is now in t h e semipilot plant stage. Peanuts, cotton seed, soybeans, and tung nuts have been processed. Exhibited by Nathan Sugarman, Georgia Tech Engineering Experi ment Station. β By a m e t h o d of "vapor deposition," refractory coatings may he formed at temperatures far below t h e melting points of t h e coating. Exhibited by C. F. Powell, E. A. Beidler, I. E. Campbell, and B. W . Gonser, Battelle Memorial Institute. AND
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