INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
December 10. 1925
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W o r l d - W i d e Chemistry Scandinavian Letter B Y C. A. HORTEN,
T H E D R O S T M E T H O D AND T H E SUGAR INDUSTRY IN S W E D E N AND DENMARK
ROBAK NORWAY
C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R Y GROWXNG I N D E N M A R K
Statistical reports show a healthy growth in the production of chemicals a n d industrial products in Denmark. T h e figures for 1924 a s a rule exceed those of 1923, in some cases quite considerably. The total consumption of sulfuric acid and about two-thirds of t h e consumption of superphosphate are now covered by t h e native production. In t h e past year t h e yield of t h e oil mills was nearly 100,000 tons of various oils, a 15% increase from t h e preceding year, and the production of sugar h a d a similar increase. The soap factories produced 15,800 t o n s of soft and 8100 tons of solid soap a n d 1750 tons of washing powder, t h e corresponding figures in 1923 being 15,600, 6900, and 1460 tons. F o r crystal soda t h e figures were respectively 20,230 a n d 18,260 tons. The match and the rubber industries, too, a r e showing an increased o u t p u t notwithstanding t h e hard foreign competition especially in the rubber line. T h e cement i n d u s t r y had a record year with a total yield of 686,000 tons, 355,000 of which was exported, chiefly to South America a n d t h e W e s t Indies. The production of alcohol, glass, ceramics, and iron ware also shows a n increase of about 1 0 % as compared with the preceding year. THE
TECHNICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF SWEDEN
THE
IRON
INDUSTRY
IN
In a recent issue of t h e Industritidningen Norden a review is given of the historical milestones i n t h e development of t h e Swedish iron i n d u s t r y a n d of i t s former a n d present standing in relation t o t h e industry in other iron-producing countries. It h a s been favored by two important factors, particularly in former d a y s : T h e excellent quality of t h e native ores, and t h e abundance of ore, wood, a n d water power. Practically all the Swedish iron is produced b y means of charcoal a n d consequently with t h e high quality ore t h e raw iron will always be extremely low in phosphorus a n d sulfur. So long as charcoal was t h e only fuel a n d reductive adaptable for iron manufacture and refining, Swed e n was the leading iron producer among the European countries. D u r i n g the period following the year 1800, iron technology was revolutionized by new inventions making it possible t o manufacture iron a n d steel by m e a n s of fossil coals. T h e n Sweden lost i t s leading position as regards t h e quantity of production, but still k e p t i t s superiority a s regards t h e quality of t h e product, a position which is now threatened b y the electric steel refining methods allowing t h e manufacturing of highgrade steel from inferior raw iron brands. T h e only way left f o r Sweden t o keep and reestablish its ancient position in the world's production seems to lie in developing the electric raw iron processes which m a y be able t o help Sweden in making use o f the great a d v a n t a g e s in its mighty ore deposits and its abundance i n cheap water power. P U L V E R U L E N T F U E L FOR M O T O R S
F. W. Brandes h a s worked o u t a m e t h o d by which an extremely fine-grained powder c a n be produced—0.001 m m . and less— from bog-moss a n d other vegetable materials. In a recent article in the Industritidningen Norden h e sets forth as his opinion t h a t this new fuel, which, is very cheap as compared with gasoline, should form a n excellent fuel for motors in automotive a s well as in stationary use. The ignition time is exceedingly small a n d t h e calorific value is high. Various advantages of such m o t o r s are outlined, a n d further experimenting with the matter on t h e p a r t of t h e motor manufacturers is called for in most s a n g u i n e terms. C O D - L I V E R OIL M A D E TO T A S T E
WELL
A Norwegian chemist, P . M. Heyerdahl, has patented a method of manufacturing a cod-liver oil product with a sweet and pleasant taste, excellently fit for medicinal use. Heyerdahl has devoted a life-time of work t o the investigation and manufacture of medicinal cod-liver oil. His new invention according to the p a t e n t description seems to consist in a certain emulsifying treatment of the oil in combination with a n addition of some suitable aromatic substances. T h e product is already recommended strongly by several well-known physicians in various European countries, a n d a company h a s been floated to introduce t h e product on t h e world market under the name of " D a d u s Tellv."
During the war a German merchant, the late Theodor Drc^u, succeeded in introducing in several German beet-sugar factories a method patented by himself for the direct production of pure, marketable, white, raw sugar, the chief advantage of the method being alleged to lie in the low coal consumption even as compared with other methods of direct white sugar manufacture. T h e product, however, seems t o be somewhat inferior in quality, having a darker color and containing more water and bacteria. A company owning the patent rights is working hard to get an opening for the method in the sugar industries of Sweden and Denmark, b u t apparently with small success, the sugar trusts of these countries having both refused all offers. The Swedish t r u s t has even made inquiries as to the working of the method a t some German factories, but t h e results of the examinations have been none too favorable. Even if the cost of manufacture as compared with refined sugar might be reduced considerably, t h e introduction of the Drost method is not recommended by the authorities, since it is likely t h a t the product with its inferior quality should be very difficultly marketable in competition with even much more expensive foreign brands of sugar of prime quality, all t h e dealers agreeing in stating that the demand of the consumers is for constantly increased quality. P R E S S E D Y E A S T FROM S U L F I T E C E L L U L O S E W A S T E
LIQUOR
A Swedish yeast factory has applied for a patent on a method of producing yeast from waste sulfite liquor, and the company has applied to t h e government for economic assistance in the further development of t h e process, stating t h a t yeast would be a far more valuable product t h a n the spirit which has hitherto been produced from t h e waste liquor. However, t h e Swedish Office for Chemical Industry which has given its opinion on the subject, is doubting whether or not the refining of the waste liquor, which should be necessary for the manufacture of yeast, can be carried out a t a sufficiently low cost to make the whole process profitable. Notwithstanding this statement from t h e official authority the m a t t e r has aroused some interest among branch people. November 4.
Washington News M U S C L E SHOALS STILL WITH U S
T h e long-awaited report o the Muscle Shoals Commission has been presented to the President, b u t instead of one report there are two. The majority report, embodying the opinions and recommendations of three members of the Commission was taken to the White House on November 14 by former Senator Dial of South Carolina, acting chairman of the Commission. This report recommends the leasing of Muscle Shoals for private operation for not more t h a n 50 years, b u t in case a satisfactory lease is not negotiated the Government should operate it itself for t h e production of nitrogen for ammunition and fertilizer. I t further recommends, t h a t should government operation be unprofitable the entire question of disposition of the plant should be p u t u p to Congress to settle. The majority hold that the whole properties should be operated as a unit, and limitations should be placed on the power distributed to protect t h e power supply for fertilizer manufacture. T h e report also suggests the advisability of interconnecting the hydroelectric plants with t h e general distribution system in the Southeastern States. Those signing this report in addition to former Senator Dial were Chairman McKenzie, former representative from Illinois and former chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs, in which capacity he was an ardent advocate of t h e acceptance of the Ford offer, a n d Russell F . Bower of the American Farm Bureau Federation. I t is rumored that, in order to discredit the report of t h e minority, those in favor of t h e majority report circulated t h e rumor t h a t t h e two minority members of the commission would submit separate reports. Such was not t h e case, however, for the minority report, which was laid before the President o n November 28, was signed by both Professor Harry A. C u r t i s of Yale University and William McClellan, a consulting electrical engineer of New York. The minority report opposes government operation of Muscle Shoals under any circumstances. I t recommends creation b y Congress of a Muscle Shoals Board of five members, to be appointed by t h e President for a five-
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INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
year term, t o arrange for leasing the plant. I t favors the leasing of Wilson Dam, the hydroelectric power generated there, and the steam-electric power generating plant at Nitrate Plant No. 2 for a period not t o exceed lifty years. It recommends that all the power of Wilson Dam, with the steam plant and Nitrate Plant No. 2, used as an auxiliary, be reserved for two years from the time necessary legislation becomes effective, and that 75,000 primary horsepower, with 30,000 secondary horsepower, be reserved for an additional year to manufacture fertilizer and utilize the equipment of Nitrate Plants Nos. 1 and 2. Those receiving power should have t h e right to use it continuously, but not to resell any of it, and all reserve power should be de livered to such customers and in such amounts as specified by the Muscle Shoals Board. Since receiving the reports, the President has been in consulta tion with Senator Underwood who, it will be recalled, led t h e light a t the last session of Congress for t h e passage of a bill that incorporated the policies of t h e President. The White House has intimated that the reports will be sent t o the Secre taries of War, Agriculture, and Commerce for their recom mendations before the President submits his own recommenda tions to Congress. MANUFACTURE OF R U B B I N G ALCOHOL
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has recently issued the following decision, T. D. 3764, relative to t h e manufacture of rubbing alcohol and similar preparations : Un and after January 1, 1920, specially denatured alcohol formulas 39 A or 39 Β (modified by the addition of benzol;, may not be withdrawn nor used pursuant to Regulations 61 for the manufacture of rubbing or bathing alcohol or in similar prepa rations held out or suitable for such external use by persons or concerns now holding permits for such purpose. From the date hereof no further permits will be issued to use such formulas in the manufacture of preparations of this character. Administrators may approve t h e manufacture of such prepa rations with specially denatured alcohol formula 23 A. T h e bonded manufacturer is required t o medicate the preparation by t h e addition of any two of the following agents in the quantities indicated: Zinc Sulfocarbolate,—4 grains perfl.oz. Boric Acid,—5 grains perfl.oz. Tincture Quassia, U. S. P., 2 minims perfl.oz. Diethylphthalate, 1%. The alcoholic content, including t h e dénaturant, of these preparations shall n o t exceed 7 0 % b y volume. T h e manufacturer may add such odorous constituents as are desired. Preparations of this class manufactured prior t o January 1, 1926 under permits and in the hands of the manufacturer, jobber, or retailer may b e sold for lawful purposes, b u t no such preparations shall. be manufactured or compounded on and after January 1, 1926, except as provided herein. The provisions of the last paragraph of Article 112, Regulations 61, revised, will b e applicable to these preparations. Administrators should furnish each permittee in their districts authorized t o use specially denatured alcohol with a copy of this decision and secure written acknowledgment of its receipt. INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL
Industry, which was very much upset by t h e Treasury Decision announcing the termination of all basic permits December 3 1 , 1925, a n d making no provision for continuance of business b y those whose permits h a d not been acted upon in time, has been greatly reassured by the letter written t o t h e prohibition administrators by Assistant Secretary Andrews, and reading in part a s follows: " I t is m y purpose that we all shall so administer t h e Prohibition laws as t o be about 100% successful in doing two things. "First, in so handling the alcohol permit situation as not only t o avoid annoyance and hindrance to legitimate industry, b u t rather to actually encourage legitimate industry as Congress and public policy clearly dictate t h a t we shall do. "Second, in so handling the permit situation as to actually eliminate from business those who use their permits unlawfully for the purpose of providing alcohol t o the liquor traffic. "To enable you to make the necessary survey of all alcohol permittees in your district, and to renew the permits only of those who should have them, T. D. 3773 has been signed and promulgated, establishing the principle that all permits are reviewable once a year. " I t is physically impossible to p u t this T . D . into effect completely this year, and it is therefore amended. To thus rush t h e business would in itself defeat the object which is that ultimately no one shall hold a government permit unless, after careful investigation, Government is satisfied t h a t he is worthy t o hold the permit. You are therefore instructed t h a t T. D . 3773 will be made effective as follows: "(A) All current permits for industrial alcohol plants, alcohol bonded warehouses, and denaturing plants, will expire December 3 1 of this year, a n d you will immediately notify such permittees t o make application for renewal before Decem-
News Edition
ber 31, 1925, if desired; and you will proceed with such investigations as will enable you to renew only such permits as are economically sound and in accordance with numbered paragraphs 1 and 2 above. "(B) All current permits for t h e use of denatured alcohol in manufacturing, etc., will be extended until each application has been reviewed and acted upon, which work must be completed by March 31, 1926. You will notify these permittees to make application for renewal by December 31, 1925. You will proceed with such thorough investigation of these various business enterprises as will enable you t o have passed upon all these permits prior to March 31, 1926. "(C) All current Ή ' permits for t h e use of nonbeverage alcohol and other liquors will be extended for t h e purposes of governmental control until December 31, 1926. I n the mean time, you should instruct these permittees to make application for renewal for the year 1927 prior to July 1, 1926, a n d all of these permits should be definitely acted upon by December 1, 1926. T h e object being to have acted upon these permits a s early as possible in the season." From this it would appear t h a t General Andrews, while con cerned with t h e grave responsibility of prohibition law enforce ment, nevertheless has clearly in mind t h e needs of legitimate industry and proposes to do whatever is possible to facilitate the legitimate use of the chemical—alcohol. SMITHSONIAN A S K S $10,000,000 F U N D
Detailed plans are being perfected b y t h e Smithsonian I n stitution for launching its appeal direct t o t h e American people for S10,000,000 so that it m a y undertake new major projects and continue its publications. This is t h e first time in the his tory of the nearly 80-year-old institution that any direct money appeal has been made to the public. The drive for the $10,000,000 will be nation-wide, b u t carried on with a dignity in keeping with t h e magnitude of t h e cause. In the past, the Smithsonian's valuable contributions t o science have been financed from its endowments and by special gifts. Sixteen major research projects were said by the board t o have been held up because of lack of funds. Some of these would "lead to a n increase in t h e food supply from the sea, others will furnish data whereby the hardwoods, t h e fruits, t h e food, drug, oil, and cordage plants of the Philippines will become increas ingly available, while a third group will provide formulas t o as sist the engineer in solving t h e increasingly complex problems which face him." The projects, described as being of immediate importance b u t in need of financing, which are of interest to our readers are: Inorganic origin of soil constituents Chemistry in its relation to life Relation of solar radiation t o growth of food plants Study of food resources of sea Research on plant life Study of cotton plants of t h e world Genesis of minerals Interpretation of industrial activities In addition, the institution desires to "restore t h e efficiency of its diffusion of knowledge b y t h e resumption of its scientific publications on t h e pre-war scale." T h e publications include I I different series. Recognizing that the public would express surprise t h a t t h e Smithsonian is turning t o it for funds rather t h a n t h e Govern ment, the board of Regents explained t h a t it was not a govern ment bureau, but was "privately founded a n d privately en dowed; it is privately directed and privately financed." The Government has recognized ten out-growths of t h e I n stitution's pioneer researches a s public necessities a n d has a p propriated for their support, b u t h a s never made any grants for research directly to the Smithsonian. Among these out-growths were the National Museum, W e a t h e r Bureau, Fish Commission, Geological Survey, Astrophysical Observatory, International Exchange Service, Regional B u r e a u of t h e International Cata logue of Scientific Literature. Utilization of its unparalleled resources in collections and equip ment to stimulate promising young men and women in research also is sought. In announcing t h e institution's plans, t h e board of regents states the money would be added t o an endowment t h a t has only doubled since 1846, when the Smithsonian Institution was or ganized under a trust fund of $550,000 willed t o the United States in 1826 by James Smithson, a n English scientist, for " t h e in crease and diffusion of knowledge among men." ECONOMICS BRANCH I N T H E BUREAU O F M I N E S
The Department of Commerce h a s established a n economics branch of the Bureau of Mines and has placed C. P . White, chief of t h e coal division of t h e Bureau of Foreign a n d Domestic Commerce, in charge. This new branch will include t h e divi sion of mineral statistics and t h e major work of t h e Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce pertaining t o petroleum, coal, and other minerals.
