One in ο series of interviews with the men who ore "Virginia"
"New information about our reducing agents, obtained through research, frequently results in better products at lower costs to our customers"
Dr. M e a r l A. Kise, director of research and development, Virginia Smelting Company
An important part of "Virginia" policy is to assist manufacturers in the efficient application of their re ducing agents in order to provide an improved process or significantly reduced production costs, or both. The newly developed uses in turn lead other manufacturers to reinspect their processes and discover the advantages of using "Virginia" chemicals and accompanying tech nical service. Dr. Kise, who heads up "Virginia" research and development, discusses this aspect of his company's prod ucts and services.
A Yes, regularly. For example, we worked in the field and in our own laboratories for several years developing uses of zinc and sodium hydro in bleach ing paper pulp. The same is true of our S02 in pulp processing. "Virginia," in cidentally, was one of the earliest sup pliers of liquid S0 2 for this purpose. We spend a great deal of time with manu facturers on all phases of these operations. I could mention many such examples.
Q How many reducing agents does " V i r g i n i a " produce?
Q Do applications Kike these bene fit other manufacturers as well?
A Five—liquid sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite anhydrous, zinc and sodium hydrosulfites, and hydroxylamine sulfate. Q Are their properties well known to chemical engineers?
A Those of the first four—very much so. These chemicals have been available for a long time and much is known about them. But because each applica tion poses certain new problems, only people who have been working with them a long time have had the experience to know just what to expect. The fifth chemical, hydroxylamine sulfate, is rela tively new. Research and development
are beginning to uncover what appar ently are great potentialities for it. Q Does your company work with manufacturers in developing new applications?
A Yes. These reducing agent applica tions are rarely patented. So gradually other manufacturers begin to investigate, trying the new application out themselves. And when they discover, as they did in the paper industry by substituting zinc hydro for peroxide, that they can cut operating costs appreciably, the new operation becomes a part of their proc ess. Until the new operation is all ironed out, our men may actually be working right in the manufacturer's plant with his engineers and chemists, helping to solve any problems that may crop up. Q Why does the use of " V i r g i n i a " reducing agents frequently lower a
manufacturer's production costs?
A For several reasons. Our products are of a very high purity in every case, but they are basic chemicals. So they are often not as expensive as the chemicals they replace. That's one reason. And when the manufacturer draws on the background of experience "Virginia" offers him, he is getting the benefit of every bit of technical know-how and every economical shortcut known about a given application. DATA AND ASSISTANCE
If you have a problem involving a reducing agent, write us on your letterhead, giving as many details as possible. We will supply pertinent literature. If you prefer, we will send a "Virginia" man around to see you. No obligation whatsoever. Industrial Division VIRGINIA SMELTING COMPANY Dept. 173, West Norfolk, Va.
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