THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
W. E. Colwell, North Carolina State College, who opened the course with a statement of purpose and objectives, gets approval from M. H. Lockwood, International Minerals & Chemical Corp., and K. D. Jacob, Department of Agriculture,
both speakers on the program. George Harley, International Minerals & Chemical Corp., and J. Fielding Reed, American Potash Institute, assure Vincent Sauchelli, Davison Chemical Corp., that the potash situation is well in hand
Fertilizer Technology Reviewed For Soil Science Teachers C & E N REPORTS: Soil Science Society of A m e r i c a
COLLEGE PARK, M D. -Representatives of industry, education, and government agencies gathered at the University of Maryland Aug. 21 to 25 tor an exchange of information on advances in the technology and processing of fertilizers a n d fertilizer materials. Titled the Short Course in Fertilizer Technology, the five-day session was sponsored by the Fertilizer Committee of the Soil Science Society of Am erica in cooperation with the University of Maryland. Chairman of the committee is Werner L. Nelson, North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. A principal objective of t h e course was to strengthen training and research programs in agricultural colleges pertaining to fertilizers and their usage through giving teachers of soil science a better understanding of the problems and aims of the fertilizer industry. Organ vers of t h e course predicted that t h e biggest benefits would accrue to the "American farmer w h o is now using each year more than 18 million tons of fertilizers/' A topic touched upon by several * speakers during their prepared addresses was the question of fertilizer reserves, particularly potash reserves. In his paper on "Fertilizer Technology in a Changing World" Ralph W . Cummings, North Carolina Agricultural Station, stated, "At present rates of fertilizer consumption, w e are not immediately concerned over the availability of r a w materials for some time into 3040
t h e future. If fertilizer usage should p a n d into large areas of t h e world levels comparable to those employed t h e more intensively fertilized areas, sources of supply would soon give greater concern."
exat in the us
Estimates Too Conservative Other speakers predicted that present estimates of reserves were too conservative a n d did not take into account the mining of w h a t are now considered submarginal ores. J. Fielding R e e d / American Potash Institute, in discussing potash resources of the United States in relation to world supplies, said that t h e inexhaustible supplies of potassium oxide available from sea water was one reason for no alarm. In reviewing phosphate resources and manufacturing facilities in the United
The Week"s Events Role of Organic Plasties in Packaging Stressed Mechanism of Ionizing Radiations Most Important Radiology Work American Soil Scientists Attend Meeting in Europe J . H. Nair Heads 75th Anniversary Committee Mica Produced Synthetically at Colorado School of Mines . .
3042 3044 3045 3046 3051
C H E M I C A L
States, K. D . Jacob, D e p a r t m e n t of Agriculture, said that our present capacity for producing available phosphate is 1.6 times the consumption in the continental U n i t e d States in t h e year ended J u n e 30, 1949. Large resources plus the availabilty of raw materials needed for conversion to fertilizers, make the problem of increased supplies one of fuller utilization of present capacity a n d the addition of new plant capacity as needed. Dr. Jacob also w a s in charge of the meeting arrangements. Good prospects for a substantial increase in nitrogen demand in t h e next decade were seen by George V. Taylor, Spencer Chemical Co., w h o spoke on "Nitrogen Production Facilities in Relation to Present and F u t u r e D e m a n d . " H e said that experimental results indicate t h a t less nitrogen is being used than could b e employed at today's market prices. H e concluded, "The challenge of the nitrogen industry and others interested in t h e farmer's welfare is the creation in t h e farmer's mind of a general understanding of the function and proper use of nitrogen, in order that this potential d e m a n d can b e translated into actual use to t h e farmer's profit." An increased use of granular mixed fertilizers was in the offing accordin * to Ritchie P. Taylor, Davison Chemical Corp., and Joseph A. Chucka, Eastern States Farmers' Exchange, Inc. T h e former d e scribed t h e mechanics of mixed fertilizer production and Dr. Chucka the physical and chemical problems in mixed-fertilizer production. He reminded t h e listeners that several leading workers in fertilizer research h a d suggested that the most logical solution to many of t h e physical a n d chemical problems in fertilizer m a n u f a c ture is t h e production of granular mixed fertilizers. Cost factors have h i n d e r e d AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
Henry A. Huschke, Agricultural Limestone Institute; Resources and Processing of T r a c e - E l e m e n t Materials, A. A. Nitikin, Tennessee Corp.; a n d Fertilizers for Special Uses, Arnon L . Mehring, D e p a r t m e n t of Agriculture. Registrants for t h e course also m a d e visits to the synthetic ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer plants of t h e Solvay Process Division, Allied Chemical & Dye Corp., at Hopewell, Va., a n d t h e superphosphate, mixed fertilizer, a n d sulfuric acid plants of the Davison Chemical Corp. at Baltimore, Md.
Scientific Glass Moves To L a r g e r Quarters
A valuable feature of the course was the reproduction of all talks for distributîon to the registrants. Much additional information w a s included in most versions. Also distributed were reprints a n d publications dealing with fertilizers m a n y manufacturers from processing granulated fertilizers, b u t Dr. Chucka feels that improvements in technology which would reduce costs can b e expected. A coming development which may play a considerable role in t h e nitrogen picture in the future is t h e water-insoluble nitrogen materials, according to E u g e n e D . Crittenden, Solvay Process Division, Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. An example is t h e ureaform t y p e of material, now being tested agronomically under the direction of t h e D e p a r t m e n t of Agriculture. T h e product is obtained in t h e controlled reaction of urea with formaldehyde, and while highly water insoluble, does furnish nitrogen for plant growth. T h e investigation of water-insoluble nitrogen products offers many possibilities for t h e development of successful and economic processes, h e a d d e d . Dr. Crittenden also foresaw increased use of nitrogen solutions for a p plication in liquid form. P a r t of F r e i g h t Increases T h e part that freight r a t e increases h a v e played in accelerating t h e acceptance of high analysis fertilizers was shown by Maurice H. Lockwood, International Minerals & Chemical Corp. H e a d d e d t h a t acceptance of high analysis fertilizers h a d been more rapid in areas where fertilizer use is relatively new; whereas, users of other fertilizer materials feel that t h e mechanical problem of applying less bulk is too difficult. H e predicted a n increasing use, however, of these more concentrated fertilizer materials based largely on their economic advantages. O t h e r topics covered during t h e course included: Conversion of Ammonia to Fertilizer Materials, Myers F . Gribbins, D u Pont Co.; Manufacture a n d Chemistry of Superphosphates, H e r m a n B. Siems, Swift & Co.; Chemistry a n d Technology of N e w
VOLUME
2 8,
NO.
36
»
Phosphate Materials, John H. Walthall, TVA; Production and Processing of Potassium Materials, George Harley, International Minerals & Chemical Corp.; Resources a n d Processing of Materials Carrying Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur,
Scientific Glass Apparatus Co. has announced t h e transfer of its offices and plant to 100 Lakewood Terrace, Bloomfield, X. J. The new plant, w h i c h was purchased in 1949 from Clark Thread Co., has over 100,000 sq. ft. of floor space on o n e level and a basement of equal size for storage. During t h e more than 30 years since the founding of the company, t h e old quarters had been enlarged three times, t h e last in 1941 when t h e plant was d o u b l e d in size. In converting t h e plant, the layout was planned for carrying out production at one end of the building, while stocks of chemicals, instruments, a p p a r a t u s , a n d glassware a r e stored in bins at t h e opposite end for shipment. A large office is conveniently located between t h e production and shipping departments.
new % ISOPROPENYL
ACETATE CH3
Ο
CH2 = C - 0 - C - C H 3 B.P. at 7 6 0 mm: 97.5°C. Acetylating Agent
9
ETHOXYPROPIONALDEHYDE C2H5OC2H2CHO B.P. at 7 6 0 mm: 134°C. Chemical Syntheses
product
ffwnj CARBIDE
ETHYL n-BUTYL ETHER C2H5OC4H9 B.P. at 7 6 0 mm: 91.4°C. Extraction Agent; Reaction Solvent
2-BUTYL OCTANOL-1 C6H13CH(C4H9)CH20H B.P. at 7 6 0 mm: 255.8°C. Raw Material for Surface Active Agents
AVAILABILITY: pilot plant quantities now; l a r g e r amounts on reasonable notice. For samples a n d additional information, call or write:
CARBIDE AMD CARBON ^ Î « i M ï C Â U DIVISION >ν· j ! • II I I I
SEPTEMBER
•
^ t M H Û N CA88tDE AND CARBON CORPORATION
3 0 EJ;42nd St., r^ew-York II 7 / N . Y. Offices I n Principal Ci«e In'Canadof Gdrbide and, Carbori Chèmicals/LÎmitëd.. iorontc
4,
1950
3041
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
Left. H. J. N l s s e n , Terminal Refrigeration Co., Los Angeles, discussing r e c e n t p a c k a g i n g trends with John Delmonte, packaging materials consultant of Glendale. Center. William Rabak, Western Regional Research L a b o r a t o r y , discussing packaging p r o g r a m with Weldon
B. Gibson, Stanford Research Institute, p r o g r a m chairman of the packaging conference. Right. A. M. F i e l d i n g , Transcontinental Freight Bureau, S a n Francisco, answers a question on shipping asked by H. C. D i e h l , Refrigeration Research Foundation, Berkeley, Calif.
Role of O r g a n i c Plastics in Packaging Stressed C&EN REPORTS:
Western Packaging & Materials Handling Exposition
SAX F R A N C I S C O . - M o d e r n organic plastics will assume a l e a d i n g role in b r o a d e n i n g the activities of the packaging industry, w h i c h is on t h e verge of a conc e r t e d growth. C o m i n g at a time w h e n our nation faces a possible world-wide conflict and w h e n it is realized that our supplies of rich iron ores are not u n limited, this growth will require substit u t e s for metal c o n t a i n e r s . Provided n e w film-forming materials are in a d e q u a t e supply, the p a c k a g i n g industry will realize such g e n u i n e a d v a n t a g e s that t h e change-overs w i l l remain permanent. T h e s e w e r e a m o n g t h e statements of John Delmonte, consulting engineer, Glendale, Calif., before t r i e t h i r d annual W e s t e r n Packaging & M a t e r i a l s Handling Exposition held here from Aug. 16 to 18. Continuing, t b e speaker stated that plastics m a n u f a c t u r e r s are keenly a w a r e of the growing r e q u i r e m e n t s of the packaging industry, a situation which is reflected in t h e a p p l i e d research efforts of major materials p r o d u c e r s . T h e signific a n t r e q u i r e m e n t s of industries using plastics as u n s u p p o r t e d films and as films applied to cloth a n d paper h a v e b e e n a d d e d to t h e p a s t v a l u e of new developm e n t s in plastics w h i c h w e r e formerly appraised in terms of t h e d e m a n d s of molding, l a m i n a t i n g , casting, adhesive and liquid-coating i n d u s t r i e s . After discussing s o m e of the significant developments i n p a c k a g i n g films in recent months, including p r o m i n e n t increases in t h e use of p o l y e t h y l e n e , rubber hydrochlorides, vinyl films, a n d cellulosics, Delmonte described several film-forming materials currently employed by t h e plastics industry wriich show promise of utilization in p a c k a g i n g in t h e near future. I s o b u t y l e n e - s t y r e n e copolymers were cited as m a k i n g a p a c k a g i n g film offering low w a t e r v a p o r a n d g a s permeability, good
3042
compatibility with other materials, heat a n d solvent sealability, a n d nontoxicity. T h e films are flexible a n d strong a n d are particularly r e c o m m e n d e d for products such as dried fruits. T h e copolymers may also b e blended with polyethylene to form self-supporting films or films for application t o paper or cloth. Fluorinated vinyl films, including polytetrafluoroethylene and monochloro-trifluoroethylene, were described as p a c k a g ing films of the future in highly specialized categories where e x t r e m e chemical a n d heat resistance are r e q u i r e d . T h e p a c k a g ing industry already uses t h e material as a coating for h i g h - t e m p e r a t u r e knives or bars. A thin film of the substance applied to heat-sealing surfaces will prevent t h e adhesion of t h e thermoplastic film being sealed to the hot surface. W h i l e the textile industry has absorbed major attention of manufacturers of polya m i d e s , it was pointed o u t that major food processing companies h a v e b e e n experim e n t i n g -with polyamide coating on p a p e r and foils. O n e resin p r o d u c e d from d i merized and trimerized linoleic a n d linolenic acids of soybean oil r e a c t e d with d i a m i n e has made n o t a b l e progress in this
field. T r e n d s toward multilaminated constructions, in which more t h a n one film is used, are developing as a result of a better understanding of p a c k a g i n g materials a n d packaging problems. T h i n a l u m i n u m foil is combined with a plastic film for application where contact w i t h food p r o d u c t s is necessary and a l o w moisture vapor transmission is required. P a c k a g i n g a Science Protection of a p r o d u c t to assure that it reaches its ultimate user or consumer unchanged in quality or a p p e a r a n c e is just as important as t h e m a n u f a c t u r e of t h e
CHEMICAL
product, a n d shipping u n d e r unusual conditions during World W a r II played an important role in the development of packaging into a science from a former art, according to William Rahak, Western Regional Research Laboratory, w h o served as program chairman. N a t u r a l protections, such as waxy water-resistant protective coatings of fruits, leaves, a n d stems, t h e integuments of animals, a n d t h e protective shells of seeds gave birth to drp-coating processes in use today, and w h i c h offer an unusual degree of protection to many products. Advantages of Microcrystalline
Paraffins
Soft microcrystalline paraffins were described b y Rahak as offering many advantages over commercially available paraffin-base coatings. D u e to comparatively low melting points, these hydrocarbons are "tacky" at 70° F . or above, but below 32° become tough and firm, the tackiness receding in proportion to the depression in temperature. U n d u e tackiness is also easily prevented b y spraying the dip-coated item under controlled conditions with a thin coating of clear lacquer, which also serves to e n h a n c e the finish a n d appearance of the packaged product. T h e flexibility of soft microcrystalline paraffins can b e improved by the addition of plasticizing agents, such as certain of the polyisobutylenes, crepe rubber, a n d other compounds, resulting in coatings which are reasonably flexible and tough at low temperatures. Concurrently with the conference, an exhibit w a s h e l d in which a h u n d r e d companies presented and d e m o n s t r a t e d machinery, equipment, materials, supplies, and services for packing a n d shipping, a n d a w i d e r a n g e of materials-handling machines a n d equipment. T h e exhibit was attended by a n estimated 5,100 persons. H . C. Diehl, Refrigeration Research Foundation, a n d \V. B. V a n Arsdel, Western Regional Laboratory, acted as session chairmen. Los Angeles, Calif., w a s selected as the site of the next r.nnual meeting and exhibit, the time to b e a n n o u n c e d a t a later date.
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
DU PONT
TETRAHYDROFURAN powerful solvent for high molecular weight polyvinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride copolymers
AVAILABLE IU COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES TETRAHYDROFURAN is an excellent solvent for difficultly soluble organic materials such as high molecular weight polyvinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride copolymers, yielding solutions of high solids contents at practical working viscosities. In view of the low boiling point of TETRAHYDROFURAN (66°C.), films of polyvinyl chloride cast from TETRAHYDROFURAN solutions dry rapidly with only a slight forced draft, and no solvent odor is retained.
tank c a r s . . .
TETRAHYDROFURAN WITH OTHER SOLVENTS . . . T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N
can be used in conjuction with other solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone and toluene. It has been found that clear films can be cast from 10 to 15 per cent solutions of high molecular weight polyvinyl chloride in a 65/35 mixture of TETRAHYDROFURAN with methyl ethyl ketone and also in a 75/15/10 mixture of TETRAHYDROFURAN, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene. The solutions should be prepared by first dispersing the resin in TETRAHYDROF U R A N with good agitation, then adding the methyl ethyl ketone and, finally, the toluene.
and drums
TETRAHYDROFURAN IN ADHESIVES . . . T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N is used in the formulation of adhesive compositions for plastics and films. Solutions of T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N containing about 10 per cent "Saran" poly vinylidene chloride have been used effectively to seal "Saran" poly vinylidene chloride sheets and bags. Also, a 10 per cent solution of polyvinyl chloride in T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N is an effective adhesive for polyvinyl chloride sheets. PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
TETRAHYDROFURAN I WATER MIXTURES AS SOLVENTS FOR CELLULOSE ACETATE AND ALKALOIDS . . . T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N is miscible
Appearance Colorless, mobile liquid Odor Ether-like Molecular Weight 72.10 Boiling Range ® 760 mm 65-67°C. Specific Gravity, 20/4 0.887 Index of Refraction, N20/D 1.407 Rash Point —I7°C. Vapor Pressure @ 25°C 176 mm. 45°C 385 mm. 65°C 760 mm. Solubility Miscible with water and most common organic solvents.
Pli
with water and forms a constant boiling mixture with 4.3 per cent water. This mixture is a better solvent than TETRAHYDROFURAN alone for certain materials such as cellulose acetate. Mixtures of TETRAHYDROFURAN and water are more effective solvents for alkaloids such as caffeine than either TETRAHYDROF U R A N or water alone. SOLVENT FOR CHEMICAL REACTIONS . . . TETRAHYDROFURAN is an excellent medium in which to carry out Grignard reactions. It is also a good solvent medium for lithium aluminum hydride and sodium acetylide reactions. Its ether structure and the extraordinarily wide range of orgr, > materials which it dissolves suggest its use as a medium for other chemical reactions. AS A CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATE . . . T E T R A H Y D R O F U R A N reacts by substitution and fissure of the ring. Among these reactions are dehydration, oxidation, chlorination, and acylation.
P^uf
ELECT ROCHEMIC ALS " ' -"
FIELD RESEARCH
SECTION
â REQUEST/
1 on your company letterhead will bring technical bulletins, price information, and samples, if desired, dust write to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Inc.), Electrochemicals Department, Field Research Section, Wilmington 98, Del.
|g>Beffer Things for Better Living . , .-Through Chemistry
V O L U M E
2 8,
NO.
36
»
SEPTEMBER
4,
1950
3043
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
Mechanism of ionizing Radiations Most iinp©rianf Radiology W o r k C&EN REPORTS: International Congress of Radiology LONDON 1 .—The most outstanding work accomplished i n radiology since 1937 is that on the mechanism of action of ioniz ing radiations. This is the statement m a d e by A. Lacassagnc of Paris during t h e sixth International Congress of Radiology, which met h e r e recently for the first time since 1937. T h e research, he said, com prised successively: ( 1 ) the primary physicochemical mechanisms of both di rect and indirect action of radiation; ( 2 ) repair processes after some radiation-pro duced lesions; ( 3) t h e mechanism of some functional alterations in the irradiated cell; and ( 4 ) t h e mechanism of t h e effects of total irradiation a n d t h e numerous at tempts to remedy t h e associated hemor rhagic syndrome. Advances i n radiation chemistry since the last meeting were covered in a sym posium at w h i c h R. Bonet-Maury of Paris said that irradiated water is considered an oxy-reduction system in which action d e pends on t h e intensity of the radiation conditioning the initial geometrical dis tribution of the radicals in t h e liquid. This geometrical factor constitutes a n es sentia] characteristic of t h e chemistry of the ionizing radiations. The chemical effects of radiation o b served in w a t e r and biological systems are related to four elementary phenomena, said Milton Burton of Notre D a m e . ( 1 ) Hydrogen a n d hydroxy 1 radicals primarily produced e n t e r back into reactions involv ing hydrogen peroxide. ( 2 ) T h e same radicals may react with reducing a n d oxi dizing substances present in biological systems. ( 3 ) The microscopic effect of production o f high local concentrations of hydrogen ion in t h e column or of rather high concentrations of hydroxyl ion in its periphery with the associated changes of ρ Η probably effect profoundly any liable molecule locally present. ( 4 ) When a hit and ensuing ionization occurs deep within an organic molecule the prob ability of chemical change m a y b e less than when the h i t occurs near t h e sur face. The positive effect of sodium cyanide and sodium nitrite in reducing mortality from lethal doses of x-radiation was shown by André Hervé, Z . M. Bacq, a n d H . Betz of Liege, Belgium. They recounted experiments "with injections of these two compounds iiuo mice given a single dose of 700 roentgens. As little as 0.1 mg. of sodium cyanide given immediately before irradiation reduced mortality from 10 to 3 0 % . Sodium nitrite gave a similar effect. T h e y said that the same amount injected immediately after irradiation r e tards d e a t h by four days. In a n o t h e r series of experiments, rats receiving 8 0 0 roentgens total-body irradiation w e r e given a vitamin Ρ compound 3044
with four identified flavonoid factors. T h e mortality rate was reduced from 8 0 % in t h e control group to 10% in t h e treated groups. These results were told at t h e congress by L. Arons, S. Weintraub, I. Wright, B. Sokoloff, and R. Cutcher of Florida. They reported that it appeared that vitamin Ρ factors have a specific afBnity for t h e intercellular cement of t h e capillary wall by strengthening it a n d giv ing it considerable protection against a total-body, near-lethal dose of ionizing radiation. A spun lead glass fabric has been d e veloped which is protective against beta radiation resulting from atomic fission products a n d leukemia-producing radia tions. T h e fabric, which was developed at Charlottesville, N. C , is flexible, wash able, and lends itself to tailoring. A symposium on radiation genetics r e vealed efforts to devise a theory explain ing t h e similar action of x-rays and nitro gen mustards on dividing cells. C. Auerbach of Edinburgh, Scotland, explained attempts t o test the validity of theories already advanced a n d t h e search for a d ditional substances producing t h e same effects. O n e of t h e difficulties is t h e selec tive response of certain organisms, cell types, and developmental stages.
Hooker-Detrex Completes Trichloroethylene Plant Completion of a large, modern tri chloroethylene manufacturing plant at Ashtabula, Ohio, has just been announced by Hooker-Detrex, Inc. T h e full p r o duction capacity of th new plant will b e utilized in the manufacture of Perm-aclor and triad metal degreasing solvents for t h e Detrex Corp., Detroit, Mich. T h e plant is located in one of t h e few areas in the United States w h e r e all raw materials are directly available through pipe lines from adjacent plants. It is expected that full-rated production opacity will b e reached by Nov. 1, 1950. Hooker-Detrex, Inc., is a jointly owned subsidiary of Hooker Electrochemical Co.
a n d Detrex Corp. T h e worlks managex of t h e Ashtabula P l a n t is Ε D . M e Kinley, formerly m a n a g e r of îihe solvents division of Detrex. McKinley ailso eoHlaborated i n t h e design 3 erection, a n d initial operation of t h e HookeT-Oebrex solvent manufacturing p l a n t a t TastfmuiL, Wash., t h r e e years a g o . T h e imanniEaiftmiring operations of both t h e Ashfcafeula ansd Tacoma, Wash., plants a r e supervised fey Hooker a n d distribution of t h e ©nirjpurt racuse University where h e studied organic a n d inorganic liquids, especially their miscibility, u n d e r H. C. Cooper. T h e studies at Syracuse could not b e finished. T h e country entered World W a r I in 1917 and Nair joined t h e Army Signal Corps as a buck private. H e came out of it a company c o m m a n d e r . Sees O p p o r t u n i t y in I n d u s t r y C a m e another important decision. T h e w a r h a d p a v e d t h e w a y for chemical expansion in t h e United States a n d spurred research a n d development. John Nair saw the opportunities that awaited technically trained m e n in industry, a n d in 1919 he joined t h e Merrell-Soule C o . of Syracuse as research chemist. H e b e c a m e , successively, director of t h e control laboratory a n d assistant director of t h e research laboratory. Nair's friend, t h e Wisconsin editor, must h a v e chuckled w h e n the Borden C o . acquired Merrell-Soule in 1928. O u r industrial chemist w a s now working for o n e of t h e country's largest dairy interests. His labors at Merrell-Soule laid the groundwork for later accomplishments. This groundwork took in m a n y aspects of dairy research; t h e oxidation of butter fat; lipase; t h e dehydration of dairy products a n d other foods. Later h e served as technical advisor to t h e Borden sales management. All told, Nair served 2 3 years with t h e Merrell-Soule-Borden organization a n d left in 1942 t o become assistant director of research for Continental Foods, Inc., which w a s a subsidiary of T h o m a s J. Lipton, I n c . A press release recently said t h a t " M r .
CHEMICAL
CIETY." I n light of the record that statem e n t is b y n o means too strongly w o r d e d . He w a s chairman of the Syracuse Section in 1926, a n d chairman o f the Division of Agricultural a n d F o o d Chemistry in 1936. He was a member of the National Council of t h e Society from 1928 to 1936, and again from 1944 t o 1950. N a i r has heen chairman of a number of national committees. T h o s e having to d o with t h e revision of d u e s a n d student affiliâtes he counts a m o n g the permanent contrihutions to t h e Society. New York Section Posts T h e New York Section, mcirabersriip has bestowed its most important posts upon John Nair. H e has been national c o u n c i lor from t h e N e w York Section, since 1944; a director since 1948; chairman-elect in 1949; a n d c h a i r m a n of the section for 1950. Probably t h e most responsible of the N e w York assignments i s the chairmanship of t h e D i a m o n d Jubilee organizing committee, a job t h a t w i l l c a l l for zeal, devotion, organizing talent, a n d broad understanding. J o h n H e n r y Nair has a number o f publications to his credit in the field o f food technology, including t h e deliydration of foods fat oxidation, flavor evaluation, a n d food analysis. He h a s b e e n granted a number of p a t e n t s covering these processes, lie was at o n e time editor of t h e Syracuse Chemist, founded in 1Θ08, t h e oldest of ACS section publications. O u t s i d e of the ACS, Nair is a charter member of t h e I n s t i t u t e of Food Tech nologists, p a s t chairman of i-fcs Ne*w York Section, a n d cochairmari of t h e 1 9 5 1 a n nual conference o n food technology i n N e w York City. T h e m a n who has h a d t h i s extensive experience i n food technology and organi zation believes t h a t chemists should a c q u i r e facility in speaking a n d -writing. While at Beloit, Nair -was a member of four d e b a t i n g teams. H e w a s elected t o Sigma Xi i n 1938 as a member a t large only after t h e national fraternity took action in his case. Civic Affairs a n d Spare Time Auctioneer All this, w e say, should g i v e a n y m a n a full day. Nair, however, m u s t h a v e some t i m e to s p a r e because he i s also active in civic affairs. A s a r e s i d e n t of S u m m i t , W J., h e h a s b e e n p r e s i d e n t of a local luncheon c l u b , a n d subsequently district governor of the organization. H e h a s served on t h e Campfire Girls' Council a n d is active i n church work. Yes, J o h n also has some time f o r h o b bies. O n e is gardening, another is p h i lately, a n d a third is golf. H e was married at t h e close of t h e first World W a r t o Claire L . Cook of Syracuse. T h e y h a v e a son a n d a daughter. John. H, N a i r , I I I , is a chemist a t Mellon I n s t i t u t e . T h e d a u g h t e r , Janet, now m a r r i e d , majored i n medical technology.
A N D ENGINEERING
NEWS
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•zs&&£~ * M A M M A D I MOUMTA1MS Sulphur from the field collecting stations is delivered to the
vats through
insulated
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discharge
directly on the vats. The sulphur is p u m p e d a t
such a
r a t e that the height of the v a t is increased only a f e w inches per d a y , the slight vertical rise being the result of
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large
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horizontal
surface
and
solidifies
it
area
ample
v/hich
provides
tonnage
gradually
builds
maximum
capacity. up
into
As a
the great
block or vat of solid sulphur, which m a y be as large as 1 2 O 0 feet l o n g , 5 0 feet h i g h , and 2 0 0 feet w i d e , a n d containing as much as half a million tons of sulphur. Tl«e discharge lines a r e placed so that the liquid sulphur is spre'ad in a n even layer over the entire surface of the v a t a n d is p e r m i t t e d to solidify uniformly. If the liquid sulphur is introduced too r a p i d l y or is not properly dis t r i b u t e d , pockets of l i q u i d sulphur w i l l be covered by a crust a n d r e m a i n
in the solid sulphur. The l o w
conductivity of sulphur m i g h t
keep such pockets
heatliquid
for a y e a r or more.
Loading operations at one-of the huge vats-otSulphur at our* Newgulf, Texas mine.-Such mountains of Sulphur are constantly. being built at our mines> from W h i c h shipments are^ continually made. - " -< ν • ~ -~^-
!> -'·
TEXAS G v
U 1 P H U R ΙΟ.
hlew York 17, N. Y. ^ I N C · 75 East 45îh St. irses: NewguSf a n d Moss Bluff, Texas 'T^zJ^i "^ &
.ZJ^J?-SJÎ~&
V O L U M E
2 8,
NO.
36
»
SEPTEMBER
4,
1950
3047
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK GE Capacity Doubled Since 1941, Says Wilson In the event of all-out mobilization, the General Electric Co. is in a position to produce substantially double what it produced during World War II, Charles E . Wilson, GE president declared recently. He said that with its postwar expansion program completed and production currently at record-breaking levels, t h e company is far better prepared than at any other time in its peacetime history to meet demands m a d e upon it by the armed services. Mr. Wilson revealed that b e cause of the current emergency, the company has accelerated its mobilization planning, an activity which was resumed shortly after the end of World W: II. Mr.' Wilson said that since 1941 t h e number of G E plants has nearly doubled, from 61 to 115 at present, not including several plants operated for the Government. The company's current total employment of approximately 180,000 is about twice the prewar levels, and t h e number of scientific, engineering, and technical specialists is double what it was in 1941, he revealed.
Du Pont Announces Increases in BHC Production A large increase in its capacity to produce benzene hexachloride for t h e control of cotton pests has been announced by t h e Du Pont Co. The capacity of Du Pont's benzene hexachloride plant has been increased by more than 9 million pounds per year over what it was designed to produce when it went into operation early in 1949. Work on increasing its capacity further is now in progress. The greater production was made possible through engineering changes, improvements in processing techniques, and operating know-how acquired since Du Pont began making benzene hexachloride on a laboratory and pilotplant scale during the war.
the first of these annual series. Beginning March 12, 1951, F . D. Rossini, Carnegie Tech, will lecture on chemical thermodynamics, also covering a two-week period. Courses for which t h e exact dates have not yet been established will b e given by John W . Tukey of Princeton University's mathematics department a n d G. B . Kistiakowsky, Harvard. Dr. Tukey will lecture in late March and early April, on statistics as applied to evaluation of data and design of experiments. D r . Kistiakowsky's course on t h e chemistry of free radicals will take place in early summer.
Lever Bros. Lets C o n t r a c t f o r N e w York Building T h e contract for construction of Lever House, t h e new 21-story headquarters of Lever Bros. Co. at 390 Park Ave., h a s been awarded to the George A. Fuller Co. of N e w York City. Scheduled for completion in early fall 1951, work on the glass and stainless steel structure will begin immediately. D e m olition of buildings fonnerly located on the site was completed recently, enabling excavation operations to start at once. Company officials stated that construction would be under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, New York architectural firm. T h e building, occupying the entire west side between 53rd and 54th Sts., will be occupied solely by Lever Bros. Co. and its major subsidiaries, Pepsodent division, Jelke Good Luck Products division, and Harriet H u b b a r d Ayer, Inc. Executive and division offices are now located
at 505 Park Ave. and t h e general offices are at 80 Varick St. Providing 280,000 sq. ft. of office space for the company, Lever House will be confined to one fourth of the lot area, making it impossible for future buildings to cut off light, view, and air. T h e exterior will b e entirely composed of heat-resistant glass and stainless steel.
Rubber Consumption Drops 6 . 7 5 % in July Rubber consumption dropped 6.7% during July to 103,524 long tons from 111,012 long tons in June, according to the monthly report of the Rubber Manufacturers Association, Inc. Shutdowns in plants for vacations and maintenance work, although fewer in number than a year ago, accounted for a substantial portion of the decline, it was reported. Consumption of natural rubber during July amounted to 60,108 long tons a reduction of 4.46% from t h e previous month when 62,914 long tons were consumed. Synthetic rubber consumption dropped to 43,416 long tons from 48,098 long tons in June, a reduction of 9.74%. Consumption of reclaimed rubber followed the same general trend as new rubber, and was estimated at 23,541 long tons, against 25,244 long tons the month before. For the first seven months of this year 422,180 long tons of natural rubber were consumed, against 331,282 long tons for the same period in 1949, a n increase of 27.44%. T h e total synthetic rubber consumed in the same seven m o n t h s ' period amounted to 279,460 long tons, against
A b b o t t Sends Halozone Tablets i o Korea A shipment of Halozone tablets to b e used for water purification purposes in Korea is l o a d e d aboard a DC-4 cargo liner of United Air Lines at the Chicago Municipal Airport. This is p a r t of a shipment of 25 million tablets ordered b y t h e Government from Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, 111.
Mumble Schedules Fifth Technical Lectures Program The fifth annual series entitled "Humble Lectures in Science" started during the latter half of August with a two-week lectureship by Linus Pauling of California Institute of Technology and will continue at intervals to the summer of 1951. Dr. Pauling, former president of the A M E R I CAN
CHEMICAL
SOCIETY,
discussed
the
chemical bond and also included m a t e r i a on molecular quantum mechanics in his course. Participants in the remainder of the program include J. H. Rushton, Illinois Institute of Technology, who will lecture for two weeks in mid-November on the subject of mixing, and R. C. Fuson of the University of Illinois, presenting again during the latter half of January the twoweek course in the chemistry of hydrocarbons which was very successful during
3048
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK 250,377 long tons t h e year before, or a n increase of 11.62%.
Dow's Plant C a p a c i t y Up 3.5 Times Since 1 9 4 1 , Says Doan T h e chemical industry should b e better able to serve n e w military demands that may arise t h a n at any time during World W a r II, L e l a n d I. Doan, president of D o w Chemical C o . , told stockholders attending the company's annual meeting Aug. 23. Doan p o i n t e d out that his own com pany has g r o w n 3.5 times in plant size since Pearl Harbor. H e a d d e d that while Dow plants are operating at near capacity for the manufacturers of nonmilitary prod ucts, conversion in t h e chemical industry can be accomplished rapidly. Referring to recent announcements of plant expansion in several areas, Doan stated that t h e progress m a d e a n d direc tion taken will d e p e n d almost entirely on the trend of t h e international situation and subsequent requirements.
Cement Firm Increasing C a p a c i t y by 6 0 % Volunteer Portland Cement Co., Knoxville, Tenn., is spending approximately $1 million in p l a n t expansion which will in crease its production capacity b y about 6 0 % . T h e m a i n item in t h e program is installation of a n e w kiln, 10 ft. in diameter b y 300 ft. long with a capacity of 2,000 b b l . a day. Additional grinding capacity a n d storage capacity for r a w materials a n d slurry a r e also being added. Volunteer uses t h e w e t kiln process and grinds, in o p e n circuit, b o t h slurry a n d clinker w i t h 7- by 39-ft. compartment tube mills. Cyclone-type dust collectors are being installed on the new kiln and the two existing 1,600-bbl. kilns.
will operate it under the corporate name of Will Corjp. of Maryland. W a t e r - w a y s Shipments Up. Movements of p e t r o l e u m products b y river a n d canal barges from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to ports o n t h e Mississippi River system of inland waterways and o n the South: Atlantic Intracoastal W a t e r w a y were ll^c greater during the first six months of7 this year than during t h e corre sponding period o f 1949, it was reported by the American Waterways Operators, Inc. These movements totaled 41,197,380 bbl. J u n e movements t h i s year of 7,961,700 bbl. were t h e heaviest of record in peacetime. Ρ Ό Γ Ϊ I m p r o v e m e n t s . Port facilities along the Gulf Intracoastal w a t e r w a y a r e being impxoved and expanded to meet the in creasing d e m a n d of water-borne commerce. The Port of Houston, Tex., will h a v e seven new wharves. Gulfport plans a n e w wharf. Extensive improvements in t h e harbor of N e w Orleans a r e in progress, among others. & E Producing G a s Turbines. Large-scale production of gas t u r b i n e s has been started by •the G-eneral Electric Co. in Schenec tady, Ν. Υ., plant facilities n o w being equipped at a cost in excess of $4 million. W a r r e r a Buys Q u i m b y Pump. W a r r e n Steam P u m p Co., Inc., has announced
t h a t negotiations h a v e b e e n c o n c l u d e d for t h e purchase of Q u i m b y p u m p division of Η . Κ. Porter Co., Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa. T h e p u r c h a s e includes inventory, p a t t e r n s , a n d good will. All manufacturing will b e t r a n s ferred to the W a r r e n plant. C a r t e r C h a n g e s N a m e . Brigham Britton, president of t h e Carter P r o d u c t s Corp., has a n n o u n c e d that t h e c o m p a n y n a m e has been c h a n g e d to Carlon P r o d ucts Corp. This c h a n g e , affecting only t h e corporate name, is in line with c o m p a n y policy to consolidate all products a n d facil ities u n d e r its t r a d e - n a m e Carlon. Building C o d e R e s e a r c h . T h e S o u t h e r n Building Code congress has d e s i g n a t e d Southwest Research Institute as t h e C o n gress* technological research facility. As official research facility for t h e congress, t h e institute will d o research, analyze, a n d develop data on b u i l d i n g materials, e q u i p ment, designs, a n d techniques a n d report its findings to the congress. C o n n o r Builds Plant. W . B. C o n n o r Engineering Corp. has a n n o u n c e d t h e r e moval of its main offices, plant, a n d l a b o ratories from New York to D a n b u r y , Conn., effective Sept. 1. T h e first p l a n t unit, a single story structure of 40,000 sq. ft. o n a 10-acre plot, includes a research area for work in the fields of air purification, distribution, and difiFusion. Construction
FORECAST BLIZZARD!
Du Pont t o Expand T e t r a e t h y l l e a d Facilities T h e p e t r o l e u m chemicals division of the D u P o n t Co. has announced that ex panded facilities for manufacturing its tetraethyllead antiknock compounds for gasoline will be in production before t h e end of t h e year. T h e new manufacturing units w h i c h are now approaching com pletion at t h e company's C h a m b e r s works, Deepwater Point, N . J., will raise its capacity for making tetraethyllead by one third. Construction of t h e n e w equipment originally w a s started to m a k e it possible for the c o m p a n y to meet normal expansion of its tetraethyllead business. This pro gram was considerably accelerated because of the Korean war.
MEWS BRIEFS Will Corp. Buys New Division. The Will Corp. has acquired its fifth division with the p u r c h a s e of t h e business of E . J. Callahan & Co., of Baltimore, Md., and
VOLUME
2 8,
NO.
36
» SEPTEMBER
Time to equip Unit Heaters with SUPER-MLVEBTQP steam traps W i n t e r is just a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r . T h a t m e a n s it's t i m e t o e q u i p u n i t heaters w i t h Super-Silvertop steam t r a p s . Super-Silvertops pay for themselves by m a k i n g u n i t h e a t e r s give out m o r e heat a t less fuel cost. By keep i n g o u t all w a t e r , Super-Silvertops permit t h e coils t o be completely filled w i t h h o t d r y air. S u p e r Silvertops w o r k w h e n other traps fail because t h e y ' r e activated by ivater only regardless oj temperature. For a n economical, w a r m w i n t e r , o r d e r Super-Silvertops installed o n every u n i t h e a t e r today. See y o u r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o r w r i t e us direct.
THE V. D.ANDERSON 1982 West 96th Street 4, 1 9 5 0
·
COMPANY
Cleveland 2 , Ohio 3049
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK will begin shortly on a greenhouse a n d cold storage plant for atmosphere-control experiments in flower cultivation a n d food storage. Facilities and e q u i p m e n t for t h e evaluation of odor removal t e c h n i q u e s will b e available together with a p p a r a t u s for t h e investigation of the sense of smell a n d t h e physical a n d chemical properties of solid surfaces affecting the retention or removal of odors. R e s e a r c h Firm Organized. Menlo Research Laboratory, a new company in Menlo Park, Calif., is organized t o carry scientific and technical product development from the rough-idea stage to t h e completion of a production package for manufacture. Charles W e e k s is director of the organization. Research and d e velopment programs a r e carried out on a dispersed basis. Fertilizer Firm Expands. T h e Pecos Valley Fertilizer and C h e m i c a l Co., Pecos, Tex., has completed its first year of operation and is now preparing t o formulate a n u m b e r of kinds of plant sprays in a d d i tion to its regular blending of dusts. N e w equipment has been installed a n d warehouse space doubled. Houston S e w a g e Plant O p e r a t i n g . T h e
City of Houston begun operation of its n e w $1.3 million fertilizer plant late in July. T h e plant will process between 40 a n d 45 million gallons of raw sewage p e r day from t h e two city t r e a t i n g plants into commercial fertilizer under t h e n a m e Hou-Actinitc. Capacity of t h e plant will b e 60 tons of fertilizer per d a y . Sobering Appoints Benelux D i s t r i b u t o r .
Appointment of Laboratoires Pharbil, Brussels, Belgium, as distributor of Schering preparations in Belgium, Holland, a n d L u x e m b u r g has been a n n o u n c e d b y Scheri n g Corp. A. W . Smets, director general, a n d J. E. Smets, commercial director of Laboratoires Pharbil, represented their e o m p a n y at a recent conference in Bloomfield, N. J., at which arrangements for processing, promotion, and distribution w e r e completed.
UNIVERSITY I^EWS N e w Building ai C S M T h e Colorado School of Mines has ann o u n c e d that work is under way on excavation for a new chemistry building i n Golden. T h e new building, estimated cost of which is $1 million, will include t h r e e stories a n d is t o be constructed of brick and reinforced concrete. It will p r o v i d e 12 classrooms, a lecture hall w i t h seating capacity of 3 5 0 , a n d a n u m b e r of special research laboratories r a n g i n g from two-man workshops to one havi n g a capacity for 90 students. T h e n e w hall will b e the first completely new b u i l d i n g t h e school h a s a d d e d since 1940 a n d will replace a building constructed in 1879.
3050
Architect's sketch of the chemistry building going up at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Cost is estimated at $1 million T h e chemistry building is to be n a m e d Coolbaugh Hall in honor of M. F . C o o l b a u g h , president emeritus of t h e college since his resignation in 1945. An o u t standing metallurgist, Dr. Coolbaugh taught chemistry at t h e School of M i n e s and other institutions and b e c a m e p r e s i dent of t h e m i n i n g school in 1925, a position h e held for 20 years. Dr. Coolb a u g h is still active on t h e c a m p u s a n d is e n g a g e d at the present in studies of cobalt in a laboratory he maintains in Berthoud Hall.
University Offers N e w Accounting Courses T h e University of Wisconsin, at M a d i son, t h r o u g h its extension division, is a n nouncing that a new series of c o r r e s p o n d ence-study courses in industrial a c c o u n t ing has been a d d e d to t h e existing 11 accounting courses. They are i n t e n d e d especially for engineers and p r o d u c t i o n managers b u t not for the person p r e p a r i n g to b e a professional accountant.
Postdoctoral W o r k a t Woods H o l e The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass., through a grant from the Lalor F o u n d a t i o n , is offering a limited n u m b e r of postdoctoral fellowships in the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, a n d physiological chemistry. T h e fellowships are designed primarily for young scientists desiring t o work t h e entire summer on investigations for w h i c h t h e opportunities provided b y t h e laboratory are particularly appropriate. T h e stipend is i n t e n d e d to cover l a b o ratory fees, travel, a n d living expenses at Woods Hole. Applications should b e r e ceived b y D e c . 3 1 . Blanks and further information m a y b e secured from t h e d i rector of t h e M a r i n e Biological L a b o r a t o r y .
Polynuclear Research
Hydrocarbons
A $2,000 Frederick G a r d n e r research grant has been received University of Oregon chemistry ment from Research Corp. for t h e
Cottrell by t h e departsupport
CHEMICAL
of research under V. R. Gaertner. T h e g r a n t is for t h e synthesis of strained, fused, polynuclear hydrocarbons. If the synthesis is entirely successful a new ring system will h a v e to be a d d e d to t h e ring index a n d a controversial theory of aromatic chemistry will have been shown to b e not universally applicable. Dr. Gaertner, w h o received his P h . D . at the University of Illinois, declined to n a m e t h e possible product before b e has completed its synthesis. T h e actual work will be done by a Uraduate fellow w h o will be a candidate for the master's or doctor's degree. No c a n d i d a t e has yet been chosen for the fellowship. This is t h e fourth grant received in the last three years from Research C o r p .
Sobering Establishes Endocrine Research Fellowship A research fellowship in endocrinology has b e e n established recently at Rutgers University by Schering Corp., p h a r m a c e u tical manufacturers of Bloomfield, N. J. T h e grant valued at $2,300 is intended for t h e support of fundamental research b y g r a d u a t e students in t h e field of steriod hormones. F . C. Brown, Schering president, stated that at Rutgers the new Schering grant will facilitate study of several important but unsolved problems, including t h e relationship b e t w e e n normal steroid horm o n e functions and t h e protein metabolism of the b o d y . F u r t h e r research is being d o n e on t h e effects of steroid h o r m o n e c o m p o u n d s upon the reproductive system. T h e effects of t h e androgenic hormones on fertility is also u n d e r study.
A E C Makes G r a n t t o UC Men T h e Atomic Energy Commission has m a d e a grant of $16,433 to two professors on t h e Berkeley campus of the University of California for research on t h e chemical activities of plants a n d bacteria. T h e r e cipients use W . Z. Hassid, professor of p l a n t nutrition, a n d H. A. Barker, p r o fessor of soil microbiology. T h e use of tracer m e t h o d s will b e comb i n e d w i t h gasometric, chemical, a n d nutritional methods.
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
