REPORTS
E3EX9
OPTIMUM PROCESS CONTROL *
Comet Rice Mills' rice oil extraction and refining plant at Houston, Tex., produced about 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 gallons of crude rice oil in 1 9 5 7 , of which 75% was refined
evaporator which removes about 9 0 % of the hcxane, a n d further stripped with live steam in a vacuum type bubble-cap tower. Stripping solvent is re-used; extracted bran is sold to mixed feed formulators. While Comet Mills a n d the other companies have adapted t h e extraction process to suit their own needs, m u c h of the basic work in this field was done by the rice b r a n oil groups of U S D A ' s Southern a n d Western Regional Research Laboratories (C&EN, page 4847, November 17, 1952). Present a n d Future
T h e major market ( 7 5 % ) today for rice oil is in edible oils, particularly in the manufacture of oleo a n d cooking oils, a n d popcorn oil. I t is also used in small quantities as a carrier for insecticides, for making mesh bags, and other industrial uses—25% of estimated 1958 sales. Comet hopes a corrosion- a n d rust-resistant oil will be the big future use of rice oil. Several samples are out for test around the Gulf Coast area. W h y it is a good rust-prevention oil is unknown ; research is under way to find out. Another joker in the deck which m a y play a part in rice oil's future is the fact t h a t rice oil h a s m o r e w a x than other oils of the same type. A t this stage, the wax is a nuisance, b u t some d a y it m a y be a valuable by-
P R O C E S S itt&AufilaaU
no # moving parts no § vacuum tubes no # contacts SIE CM-2 Analog Computers provide precise control in chemical, petrochemical, refining, and similar process applications, to a degree never before possible. Using this new concept, process variables are taken into account in adjusting set-points automatically to achieve optimum output yield. Using Magnetic Amplifiers and Transistors CM-2 Series Computers have a trouble-free life expectancy in excess of 100,000 hours, yet in a typical fractionator application now in operation, computer cost was less than $ 5 0 0 0 . Write For Brochure Describing Applications in Feed-Ahead, Feed-Back, and Operator Guidance computations. SIE engineers will welcome the opportunity to discuss the use of CM computers in your specialized process control applications. SOUTHWESTERN INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS CO. A D i v i s i o n of D r e s s e r I n d u s t r i e s , I n c . 2 8 3 1 p o s t O a k Rtf. • p . O . B o x I 3 Q S 8 • H o u s t o n 1 0 , T a x .
PRIME AND SUB-CONTRACTORS FOR MILITARY ELECTRONICS INSTRUMENTATION AND GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
VOL. 50, NO. 9
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SEPTEMBER 1958
37A
