I&EC TRENDS TODAY
r)
?
Two types of gas lenses for guiding light beams have been successfully tested at the Bell Telephone Laboratories. Both lenses depend for their operation on the fact that light rays refract toward regions of high refractive index. One lens system consists of a gas-filled pipe with an internal, coaxial, helical coil which is maintained a f e w degrees warmer than the pipe, thus setting up natural convection currents and causing the gas to concentrate along the axis of the pipe. The higher refractive index in the concentrated gas keeps the light beam at or near the axis of the pipe. The second type of lens consists of a mixing chamber into which two gases with dzfferent refractive indices enter from opposite directions. The shape of the chamber and the low gas velocitiesproduce a boundary region where the gases meet which is symmetric about the axis of the chamber and effectively focuses the light beam. Thus f a r , various combinations of air, carbon dioxide, the freons, hydrocarbons, and argon have been used as lens gases and exhibit no aberrations under the conditions imposed on the systems. Though primarily intended for long distance transmission of light beams over tortuous paths, the techniques may also find use in process control work.
rHEliX \
1 PIPE EXHAUST
l!I
1OW INDEX GAS
HIGH INDEX GAS
Monitoring of wastes in plant effluents on a daily basis has been made more convenient by the introduction of a new analytical technique devised by C. E . Hamilton of The Dow Chemical Company. The technique utilizes the U . 5'. Public Health Service standard method of adsorption on activated charcoal followed by sequential extraction of the dried charcoal and subsequent analysis of the extract. Instead of the usual solvents (chloroform and methanol), Hamilton's technique uses the azeotropic combination o j propylene dichloride and 539;', methanol (by weight) to extract the charcoal. Use of these new solventspermits the recovery of 50% more organics than with the previous mixture and reduces analytical timc bj 80%. Dow has made the method available to the Pzl blic Health Service. Simulation of nuclear explosions is being investigated by the Field Emission Corp. for the Air Force. The simulation system consists of a high vacuum chamber containing a j n e wire which is subjected to an electrical impulse of 50-nanoseconds duration and with a peak power of 20 billion watts. The wire almost instantly rises to a temperature of about a million degrees and explodes in the chamber. The similarities between such an explosion and a nuclear detonation permit studies of light emission, plasma production, shock waves, and other efects associated with high altitude nuclear detonations without the hazards of radiation and the expense of conducting the high altitude tests. Other applications of the exploding wire studies are the investigations of high energy reactions requiring the presence of highly unstable ionic intermediates.
A possible means for increasing the stability of ozone has been suggested by the research of Dr. L. J . Heidt of M I T . Contrary to earlier rejorts in the literature, Dr. Heidt found that the decomposition rate of ozone can be substantially reduced by increasing the alkalinity of its environment. In aqueous solutions of ozone containing 5% N a O H the half life of the ozone was 40 minutes. Increasing the NaOH to 5Oy0 boosted the half life to 83 hours. K O H also appears to act as a good stabilizer. As a result of thesefindings, it has been suggested that ozone might be safely stored and transported in uessels providing the proper alkaline environment. -Circle
NO. 551 on Readers' Service Card
VOL. 5 6
NO. 9
SEPTEMBER 1964
5
Quality assurance backed by 30 years of experience manufacturing water tube boilers and proven in rigorous railway service (more VAPOR steam generators operating in the European area than any other type) is incorporated in the CIRC-U-LATIC boiler. New standards for efficient delivery of process steam are provided with burners for GAS and HEAVY OIL designed by VAPOR for most effective heat transfer with the CIRC-U-LATIC system. Available in a wide range of sizes, from 75 to 300 HP, VAPOR steam generators deliver steam at 15 to 250 PSI within 5 minutes from a cold start (other units with pressures to 1500 PSI).
Only VAPOR BOILERS provide:
1 MINIMUM OPERATING COST-Fast steaming requires operation only when steam is used-modulating ciency.
controls for maximum effi-
2 ABSOLUTE SAFETY-Steam explosion hazard eliminated by small water content.
3
ONE TIME INVESTMENT-Every nary hand tools.
part easily replaced using ordi-
4 INTEGRAL BURNERS-Designed by VAPOR for firing GAS, HEAVY OIL and LIGHT OIL. -
VAPOR boilers improve plant efficiency and lower operating costs while providing the capacity and pressure you require when you need it.
For assistance u i t h y o u r requirements please contact:
VAPOR INTERNATIONAL 224 S o u t h M i c h i g a n A v e n u e , Chicago, I l l i n o i s 60604
or INTERNATIONAL HOLLAND NmVm aReeistered Tradelnark
M e r w e d e w e g 1 , Breukelen, H o l l a n d
Circle No. 528 on Readers’ Service Card
6
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
~
automate with "Crann Teledyne" electric motor operator for valve. I -
I I f
I Chemical processing plants save hundreds of valuable hours and increase efficiency at all critical flow control points, with the new "Crane Teledyne" Motorized Valve Operator. This versatile unit is available on factory shipment of new valves, and is readily adapted to Crane valves and valves of other manufacturers presently installed in the field with the use of nothing more than hand tools. For smooth, trouble-free operation, valve stem thrust is not transmitted to the operator, but is carried by the regular yoke sleeve bearings.
The "Crane Teledyne" Valve Operator is available with push-buttoncontrol or can be programmed for automated operation. Acts as a gearaperated valve l4:l ratio) in case of electrical emergencies. Whatever your equipment needs in flow contril, water conditioning or electronic control instru. mentation. your single source of supply and responsibility can be
'Crane Teledyne" installed On stock "1IY..
I
pulp
Crane helps you profit through coordinated purchasing
THE COORDINATED COMPANIES OF
-
WORLD HEADQUARTERS: CRANE CO., International Division, 300 Park Ave., N.Y., U.S.A AUSTIULIA: Crane Australia Piy. Ltd., Sydney * CANADA: Crane Canada Ltd., Montreal ENGUWD: Crane Ltd., London FRANCE: Crane S A , Paris * GERMANY: Crane G.m.b.H., Dusseldorf HOLUNO: N.V. Nederlands-Amerikaanre Fittingfabriek, Deventer IIALY: Crane-Orion, Sp.A Trieste Mo(lC0: CransDeming de Mexico, Monterrey, N.L SPAIN: Fundiciones Ituarte, SA, Bilbao
-
-
-
For prompt action call your local Crane Representative. For a complete list of Crane components. systems and processes. write Crane Go.. World Headquartera. C l d . I#. 5ol II ill(*"' Sl"1U E l l
8
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
