6
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
News Edition
World-Wide Chemistry London Letter B Y F. E. HAMER Editor, Chemical Age (London)
The visit of British chemists to the recent conference at Pittsburgh on "Bituminous Coal" is already bearing fruit, the reports brought back having quickened public interest over here in the subject of the most scientific and profitable form of coal carbonization. Dr. Rudolph Lessing, one of the British delegates, has just been giving his impressions of the conference to a joint conference of the London Section and the Fuel Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, emphasizing in particular the importance of research and of collective scientific and international action of the kind represented at Pittsburgh. Mr. Herbert Neilson, another of the British delegates who presented a paper on the "L and N " (Laing and Neilson) process of low temperature carbonization, has had the satisfaction of seeing that process taken up commercially since his return. A company with an initial capital of £125,000 has been formed, under the title of the L. and N. Coal Distillation Co. t o take over the British rights in all patents and processes owned by the Sensible Heat Coal Distillation Co. The process is a low temperature carbonization process with distinctive features. Unlike the Bergius method, instead of actually converting the coal into oil under high pressures, it extracts the oil already present i n the coal, leaving the coal oil-less, and by avoiding "cracking" it produces a primary oil from which all t h e fractions that well oil yields can be derived. In addition to 20 gallons of oil per ton, the estimated products include 14 cwt. per ton of smokeless fuel, the remainder being used as pulverized fuel for steam generation. In addition to this process, it is reported that Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., has come t o a \vorking arrangement with International Combustion, Ltd., for the development of low temperature carbonization in this country. The scheme involves the erection of two large plants, one o n the "McEwenRunge" principle for the low temperature carbonization of pulverized coal, and the other on the "Kohlenscheidungs" or "K. S. G." method. The report of the directors of Imperial Chemical Industries on the results of the recent merger has just been published. So general was the response of the shareholders in the four constituent firms (Brunner, Mond & Co., United Alkali, British Dyestuffs Corporation, and Nobel Industries) t o the invitation to convert their holdings into the new company that the shares already converted represent 96 per cent of the total capital of 57 millions. An example of the way in which British industry is taxed is found in the fact that the taxes and other expenses of this transfer of capital amount to £1,270,000. A t the first formal statutory meeting of I. C. I., there was no business of importance beyond the address of the chairman (Sir Alfred Mond), who again emphasized the Imperial character of the undertaking and gave assurance that the rights of labor would be fully safeguarded by the new combine and full compensation provided for any changes or displacements. Sir Frank Heath, who has been the head of the Government Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, since its establishment a little over ten years ago, is retiring on June 1 and will be succeeded by H. T. Tizard, a member of the staff. This department was the first adventure of the government in the work of organizing and developing research in the interests of the state, and considerable success has been attained in the formation of research associations in connection with various industries, the cost being borne jointly by the government and b y the industry concerned. The department has done a great deal to emphasize the obligations of the state in the matter of research and has largely changed t h e mentality of industry towards research from one of suspicion or indifference to one of confidence and appreciation. Mr. Tizard, who succeeds Sir Frank Heath, is well-known a s a scientist. During the war he was attached on the technical side of the Air Force, and carried out important research on the internal combustion engine. I n 1918 he was appointed assistant controller of experiment and research at the Air Ministry, and he has done valuable work in organizing the large research organization now in existence. The Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland will this year celebrate its jubilee in October and some interesting gatherings are anticipated. Professor G. G. Henderson •of Glasgow has just completed a term of three years as president
of the Institute, and his successor is Professor Smithells, formerly of Leeds. The anniversary dinner of the Chemical Society held in London was a gathering of great interest. On either side of the Chairman (Professor Baker) it was pleasant to see representatives of French and German chemistry on the friendliest terms—Professor Camille Matignon, representing the Chemical Society of France (founded in 1857), and Professor Dr. Wilhelm Schlenk, president of the German Chemical Society (founded in 1867). The speeches emphasized the importance of science in linking nations together and maintaining good international relations. It was a matter of much regret that Prince Conti was unable, owing to influenza, to attend to represent Italy. During the evening an affectionate tribute was paid by the President to the late Dr. A. W. Crossley, a distinguished chemist who was Director of the British Cotton Research Association. Dr. Crossley preceded Professor Baker in the chair of the Chemical Society, but his duties were seriously interfered with by illness, which later terminated fatally. "A man of extraordinary business instincts, understanding, and chemical talent," was Professor Baker's epitaph.
German Letter B Y WALTER ROTH Côthen-Anh., Germany ECONOMIC CHEMISTRY
At the main session of the Association for Protection of the Interests of the Chemical Industry of Germany, held at Berlin during the last of January, Dr. Ungewitter, the president of the Association, made some interesting economic statements. H e cited the fact that the importance of freight in piling up costs in industry in general and in the chemical industry in particular is not yet sufficiently recognized and appreciated. H e estimated these costs for the German chemical industry proper at approximately 300 million marks per year, t o which are to be added customs charges estimated a t some 150 billion marks. Before the war chemical products valued at approximately 10 milliards of gold marks were produced in the whole world; in 1924 the value was about 18 milliard marks. Allowing for the present depreciation of currency, the conclusion is reached that the production and consumption of chemical goods have increased about 4 0 % over the pre-war period. The German share in world production of such goods constituted before the war 24%—i. e., a quarter; in the post-war period, however, it amounts to only 17% or a sixth. It has thus fallen from a fourth to sixth, in spite of the signal development of German's nitrogen industry. In the year 1913, 3.2 milliards gold marks' worth of chemical products were exported by all countries of the world together; in 1925 the value was about 4 milliards. In view of the depreciation of currency the total volume of international trade in chemical products has hardly changed at all. Before the war 3 3 % of the output entered into international trade, now only 2 2 % . Germany has a tariff of 4.5%, while the duties in other countries are 4, 5, 6, 10, or even 20 times as high. The exports of the German chemical industry again amount to over one milliard marks or 10.4% of the total German exports including those of agriculture. NITROGEN QUESTIONS
At the same session of the Association for Protection of the Interests of the Chemical Industry of Germany, Dr. Nikodem Caro, one of the founders of the calcium cyanamide industry, spoke on the nitrogen problem. According to his statements the present nitrogen requirements of the world are covered and increased production would have to find new outlets. Germany has a huge excess of production and further production would be justified only if associated with a marked lowering of prices. At present the prices are over 4 0 % lower than before the war. According to Caro. only three processes justify thenexistence today: Air combustion in the electric furnace, especially the Birkeland-Eyde process, the Frank-Caro cyanamide process, and the Haber-Bosch high pressure process. All t h e other methods, such as the cyanide and aluminum nitride processes, nitric oxide production by combustion processes, etc., have the disadvantage that concentration of the processes is lacking, which is absolutely imperative for economically practicable procedures. Aside from the original plants of the NorskHydro all other works operating the Birkeland-Eyde process
April 20, 1927
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
h a d to be discontinued. Likewise, although it bias reduced t h e current consumption for 1 kg. of nitrogen to 10 kw., the cyanamide industry, in contrast to high pressure synthesis, c a n exist only where it has a t its disposal cheap power, first class coal, a n d t h e best of lime, and where it can be carried o u t o n a particularly large scale with the utilization of very large units, for example carbide furnaces of 10,000 kw. and more. C a r o challenges the numerous new proposals for obtaining nitrogen, as for example in combination with the potash industry, in vsrhich he sees no commercial progress. T h u s hydrogen from coke oven gas cannot be cheaper t h a n t h a t from water c a s for instance, especially when the latter is produced from lignite, w i t h or without by-product recovery. There are other more profitable possibilities for the utilization of coke oven ga.s than working it u p for hydrogen. Furthermore, since it is feasible to conduct gas reactions under high pressure, Caro considers all reduction of pressures b y carrying out such processes below 200 to 300 atmospheres a s a retrogression, for t h e accompanying enlargem e n t of the reaction chambers involves an increase in cost and not a cheapening of t h e a p p a r a t u s and t h e plant. T H E S P R I N G F A I R AT L E I P Z I G
I n the present period of rationalization t h e importance of the fairs is being repeatedly discussed and questioned. In Germany, besides a t Leipzig, fairs are held regularly at Koiiigsberg, Breslau, Frankfurt a / M and Cologne. T h e Exposition and Fair Board of German Industry n a s . now taken u p t h e anatter of these different fairs in a special memorandum a n d bias come to the conclusion t h a t Leipzig has been longest recogn ized as a central German fair a n d t h a t another central, international, a n d technical fair cannot be supported by German business. Comparative investigations h a v e also shown t h a t 6 5 % of the Leipzig exhibitors are from p a r t s of Germany outside of the immediate vicinity of Leipzig a n d from abroad. Likewise the executive committee of the Society of German Engineers, in h a r m o n y with a memorial of the National Union of German I n d u s t r y , h a s entered t h e lists in favor of supporting t h e Leipzig Technical Fair alone. T h e Technical F a i r which has developed within b u t a few years a t Leipzig, today constitutes fully a quarter of t h e t o t a l fair and this spring comprised 170,000 square meters of occupied booth space. T h e spring fair this year represents on t h e whole great progress over t h a t of last fall and shows t h a t confidence in German business is on t h e increase. The chemical industry proper was a s good a s unrepresented a t this spring's fair, aside from the special exhibit, "Artificial Silk," which was held a t Leipzig for t h e second time. This exhdbit depicted the great progress m a d e by the German artificial silk industry. T h e I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G-, Artificial Silk Division, demonstrated the evolution and manufacture of Agfa Silk. The Glauchau textile works showed t h e raw materiad and the various intermediate steps in artificial silk production and illustrated t h e production of viscose by films. Likewise the Aceta-Silk Company demonstrated the advantages of their product which is today considered most similar to natural silk. Along with other German artificial silk companies, foreign countries were represented b y the Snia-Viscosa of Turin and! the Breda-Seide of Holland. Of the other exhibits t h a t of the: Krupp company is to be mentioned in particular. They displayed ttieir rusta n d acid-proof metal a n d all kinds of a p p a r a t u s constructed from it, such as acid-resistant pumps for sulfajric acid and the like. Rustless steel has proved its worth i o laboratories, in t h e chemical industry, in mechanical construction, in brewing, in medicine, in the household, etc. K r u p p wa-s also represented b y a new tool material, " W i d i a " (Wi(e) E)ia(mant)). The same firm is also putting on the m a r k e t under the name of " M e t a f o r m " a plastic material for renewing: the packings of stuffing boxes, even during operation. The mass consists of finely divided white metal (antifriction metal), graphite, steam cylinder oil, and asbestos fibers. Also masses specially suited for caulking against weak acids, alkalies, gases, etc., are produced by t h e company for the chemical industry. MIRAMANT
This new cutting alloy of h e a t resistant metals with definite proportions of stable and h a r d carbides, particularly molybdenum and tungsten carbides enables the working of materials which were hitherto considered unworkable or commercially h a r d t o work. M i r a m a n t is p u t on the market by the steel works of Rôchling-Buderus A. G. of Wetzlar a n d has proved its value with manganese steel, chrome nickel steel, riard gray castings, etc. P R E V E N T I O N O F A C E T Y L E N E EXPLOSIONS
I n t h e case of m a n y acetylene generators where trie carbide is projected into t h e water, freeing of air—i. e., driving o u t t h e explosive mixture—is prevented because of the dead spaces (air pockets) present. W i t h a n igniting spank in supplying t h e carbide the conditions for an explosion are provided. According to a new process of the K u k a works a t Augsfourg, it i s possible b y simple means to eliminate these dangerous dead spaces in acetylene generators. Translated l>y Paul R . Dawson
7
Mexican Letter B Y G. G.
COLIN
Mexico, D. F. CITRIC
ACID
Prof. Luis C. Ortiz of the Mexican Pharmaceutical Association has pointed o u t in an article published in the March Edition of Nuevas Ideas, its official organ of publication, the necessity of stimulating national industry. Where there is iron, he says, there will be large foundries and steel mills; where there are waterfalls there will be plenty of electrical energy. Γη 1924 Mexico shipped 1050 boxes of lemons with a total weight of 48,000 kilos, and later larger quantities were shipped. Citric acid may be exported as calcium citrate crude, or as refined citric acid. I t is amazing t h a t there being such an enormous waste of lemons from lack of demand they should be allowed to rot instead of utilizing the juice as done in California. Prac tically all the citric acid used in Mexico is imported, and the same is true about its salts, sodium, a n d magnesium citrates. VEGETABLE
TUBERCULIN
From the observations and experimentation carried out a t the Central Chemical Laboratory, t h e possibility of existence of a vegetable substance capable of stimulating the natural defenses of t h e organism against t h e invasion of tubercle bacilli is not remote. T h e substance in question is obtained from a vegetable exu date which contains a nucleoprotein or a phosphoprotein. When applied to t h e tuberculous patient, hypodermically, it relieves the characteristic symptoms and invariably causes an increase in weight in a comparatively short time. The substance in question appears to be non-toxic and can be used over a long period of time without untoward effects. PATENT
MEDICINBS
T h e Health Department has initiated a vigorous campaign to combat t h e nostrum evil. N o p a t e n t medicines will be al lowed t o be sold unless they have been previously registered and analyzed by the chemists a t the Department. T h e formula on the label will be a compulsory measure to protect the public and enlighten the physician as t o t h e therapeutical merits of the nostrum. A Health D e p a r t m e n t s t a m p has also been issued taxing foreign preparations with five cents or more, according to its weight and nature, and two cents for Mexican-made products. This measure has aroused a great deal of protest from t h e foreign manufacturers b u t t h e Health Department will enforce its moralizing tendency b y all means.
U . S. Bureau of Standards Standard Samples Attention is called to the following U. S. Bureau of Standards standard samples t h a t are either new or not as well known as they should be: SAMPLE NUMBER
NAME
56 69 70 71 76 77 78 80 57 58 59 60 61 64 66 67 68 72
Phosphate rock Bauxite Feldspar Calcium molybdate Burnt refractory (40% AI2O3) Burnt refractory (60% AI2O3) Burnt refractory (70% AI2O3) Soda lime glass Refined silicon Ferrosilicon (75% silicon) Ferrosilicon (50% silicon) Ferrovanadium (low carbon) Ferrovanadium (high carbon) Ferrochromium (high carbon) Spiegeleisen Manganese metal Ferromanganese Chrome-molybdenum steel
73
Stainless steel
CONSTITUENTS DETERMINED
WEIGHT OP SAMPLES IN F E E PER GRAMS SAMPLE
P2O5. FezOs, AI2O3, etc. Complete analysis Complete analysis Mo, Fe, Ti Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis Complete analysis C, Mn, P,S. Si, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, As C, Mit, Ρ, S, Si, Cu. Ni, Cr, V, Mo, As
60
$2.00
60 40 60 60 60 60 45 60 75 75 100 100 100 100 100 100 150
2.00 2.00 2.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 2.50 2.50 3.00
150
3.00
Samples may be paid for in advance with order or be sent by parcel post, C. O. D., in t h e U. S. and its possessions. All foreign shipments require prepayment together with 20 cents postage for every 300 grams of sample. A complete list of standard samples together with analyses, fees, and general directions are given in the Department of Commerce Supplement t o Circular No. 25 which can be obtained free of charge upon application t o t h e Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. The American Ceramic Society, Columbus, Ohio, has recently published a Bibliography of Magnesite Refractories and a Bib liography of Silica Refractories, which are available a t a price of two dollars for the set.
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
S
News
Edition
Report of C o m m i t t e e on Industrial Alcohol ''^^3^λ
r-
The Label Tells the Story
UNIFORM
TËsmam
JetffeSSÉP
C. P. Chemicals & Acids J. T · BAKER CHEMICAL CO. Phillipsburg, New Jersey
S u m m e r Courses in Colloid Chemistry The Fifth National Colloid Symposium which is to b e held at the University of Michigan June 22, 2.3, and 24 will bring together prominent chemists from this country as well as from abroad. Professor H. R. Kruyt of the University of Utrecht, Holland, will be guest of honor a t the Symposium and will remain a t the university for the Summer Session. The Symposium w i l l u η doubtedly attract a number of workers in the field of Colloid Chemistry who will wish to remain in Ann Arbor for spe cial work during the Summer Session, which begins June 27. The Chemistry Department of the University of M i c h i g a n has arranged special lecture, laboratory, seminar, and re search courses which will make it possible for one to carry on intensive work in C o l l o i d Chemistry under the direction Prof. H. R. Kruyt of Professors Kruyt and Bartell. Anyone interested may obtain further information b y writing directly to Professor F . E. Bartell, Chemical Laboratory, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Tausend Co. Prepares Pure Tin I n the course of various experiments in the research work carried out b y Tausend Chemische Gesellschaft of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, they are said to have recently perfected a process which enables them to produce a 100% pure tin in the shape of crystals which (according to the analysis of the public chemist) is absolutely free of arsenic, lead, etc. T h e y have not yet entered upon larger scale production, b u t shall be pleased to furnish any scientists who may be interested in their product with samples of their material without a n y costs.
Alcohol has continued to be the subject of legislation and pro posed legislation, and of much controversial publicity. T h e denaturation of alcohol has been attacked in the public press a n d in the halls of Congress as tantamount to deliberate potential wholesale poisoning, and proposals for levying a tax upon it have not been wanting. Γη spite of this unrest which is born of the continual contro versy for and against prohibition and over the methods for t h e enforcement of prohibition, no very great change in the alcohol situation has taken place during the last year. The industries have kept o u t of the controversy t h a t has been waged over t h e merits of prohibition and the degree of failure or effectiveness of its enforcement. The proposal t o tax denatured alcohol has not a t any time assumed formidable proportions for the probable reason t h a t most Congressmen who give it thought realize that such a t a x would serve no good end, and on the other hand would defeat many good ends. The agitation against certain formulae for the denaturation of alcohol, especially those involving the use of menthanol, is a t tributable mainly to three causes: an ignorant belief t h a t de natured alcohol without added poison would be a beverage a n d that poison is added by the Government to make its use as a beverage dangerous: the vote-attracting possibilities of a n y measure t h a t is aimed to protect t h e "innocent" drinker of denatured alcohol or of illicit drinks made from it; and the vague hope t h a t such agitation may result in changes that will make the bootlegger's work easier and t h e drinker's supply more plentiful and safer. N o matter what the cause of this agitation may be we must not lose sight of the fact that denatured alcohol is unmistakably unfit for beverage purposes when sold, and t h a t if criminals improve the taste and odor so t h a t it appears to be potable with out removing any possible poisonous character the guilt is theirs. The primary reason for denaturing alcohol is not to poison it but to render it unmistakably nonpotable, and t h e Government m u s t insist o n dénaturants t h a t are hard to remove in all denatured alcohols that are readily procurable a n d permitted to be used without stringent regulation. Prohibition and industrial alcohol administration have continued under t h e control of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue cooperating with a n Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. On March 3, 1927, an act was passed creating a Bureau of Prohibition within the Treasury Department, the officers of which bureau shall be appointed by the Secretary of t h e Treasury and shall be subject t o his authority. They will be charged with t h e Administration of t h e National Prohibition Act, as amended. T h e a c t takes effect on April 1, 1927. This act, which met with no serious opposition, differs decidedly from previous attempts to set u p a Prohibition Bureau and which met with opposition from the industries as they were, attempts to establish a Prohibition Commissioner vested with autocratic power, some of them providing no possible means of appeal from any action t h e Commissioner might choose to take. I t is hoped t h a t the arrangement provided by this new law for the administration of Internal Revenue, Customs, and Prohibition matters will work for greater efficiency, b u t no one should be deceived into thinking that the administration of t h e National Prohibition Act, as amended, can be made an easy matter through legislation, o r by means of regulations. Independent action by the several states on alcohol m a t t e r s has probably abated except t h a t the agitation against certain dénaturants is almost sure to invite a flood of unwise measures against denatured alcohol in state legislatures. A bill was introduced in the last Congress to increase the tariff o n so-called "black s t r a p " or waste molasses for use in distillation of alcohol to a figure t h a t would prove to be prohibitive. This type of legislation is not economically sound as it places burdensome taxes on raw material, and this particular measure, which is apt to be brought up again in the next session of Congress, would disrupt the whole alcohol industry and seriously affect other industries, in order t h a t some people might hope to get a little higher price for corn. On J a n u a r y I, 1927, the tax on pure non-beverage alcohol was reduced by 55 cents per proof gallon. There will be a further similar reduction on January 1, 1928, after which the tax will be $1.10 per proof gallon where it was before the war. M A R T I N H. ITTNER, Chairman RAYMOND F. BACON J. H. BEAT.
Ε. Η. KlXLHEFFER EDWARD M A I X W C K R O D T , J R . RALPH H. M C K E E H . W. RHODEHAMEL F R E D E R I C ROSENGARTEN
On April 2 , 1927, John C. Campbell, president of the Newark Wire Company of Newark, N. J., completed his 50th consecutive year as manufacturer of wire cloth.
April 20, 19Ζ?
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
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Chemists Wanted in Government Service Applications for assistant chemist will be received by the U. S. Civil Service Commission at Washington, D. C , u p to M a y 10. The examination is to fill vacancies in the D e p a r t m e n t a l Ser vice, \\ r ashington, D. C , and in positions requiring similar qualifications for duty in the field. The entrance salary in the District of Columbia is $2400 a year. After the probationary period required by t h e civil service act and rules, advancement in pay will depend upon individual efficiency, increased usefulness, and the occurrence of vacancies in higher positions. For appointment outside of Washington, D. C , the salary will be approximately the same. Competitors will not be required to report for examination a t any place, but will be rated on their education, training, and experience; and publications or a thesis t o be filed with the application. Apply to the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., for further information.
'WHATMAN EXCLUSIVELY" /ff Six y e a r s a g o a p r o m i n e n t S t e e l C h e m i s t e x p r e s s e d his p r e f e r e n c e for W h a t m a n F i l t e r P a p e r s . To d a y he w r i t e s : ci
W e a re s t ill u si n g Wh a t man Filter Papers exclu sively and find them verysat isfac tory. ' '
Chemical Section of Safety Council to Meet The M id-Year Aleeting of the Chemical Section of the National Safety Council will be held at Newark, N . J., April 27, in the Assembly Roem of the Newark Chamber of Commerce. Speak ers of prominence are scheduled for both morning and after noon sessions and a large attendance, not only from the East, b u t also from other parts of the country, is anticipated. Among the speakers will be Leonard Greenburg, U. S. Public Health Service, School of Medicine, Yale University, w h o will discuss the "Benzol Problem in industry;" and G. H . Gehrmann, Medical Director, E. I. du Pont de Nemours C o .
T h e m a t u r e d j u d g m e n t of s u c h Chemists has made Whatman Filter P a p e r s the Universal S t a n d a r d for A n a l y t i c a l P u r p o s e s . H. R E E V E A N G E L & C O . INCORPORATED
7-11 Spruce Street, New York, Ν. Υ.
Research on Metallic Cooking U t e n s i l s a t Mellon Institute Edward R. Weidlein, director, Mellon I n s t i t u t e of Industrial Research, University of Pittsburgh, has announced the ap pointment of Dr. Erich W. Schwartze to t h e senior incumbency of t h e Institute's multiple Industrial fellowship on cooking utensils. This fellowship has been recently established for the purpose of making a comprehensive chemical and pharmacodynamic study of the effects of the corrosion of metallic cooking utensils during the preparation of foods therein. T h e investigation will cover the effect upon the animal body of t h e metal taken up b y and ingested with the cooked food as well a s the effect of the material of the utensil upon the food constituents, par ticularly the vitamins, during culinary, food-manufacturing, and sterilizing operations. The researches will be conducted along the most approved scientific lines, a n d t h e results will be published from time to time as they become available.
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