THEODORE R. O LIVE, A ssociate Editor
M o d el o f m a g n e tic a d ju s ta b le -s p e e d d riv e
company manufactures large ccntral-station type systems. The new unit is a vertical contactor containing both humidification- dehumidification sections and a regenera
tion section for the circulated chemical absorbing medium. The unit is automatic in operation, either humidifying or de- humidifying in accordance with a single control setting. Temperature control is ob
tained by modulating the cooling water sup
ply to the contactor-cooler.
M A G N E T IC D R IV E
F o r u s e on such equipment as fans, blowers and compressors, Electric Mach
inery Mfg. Co., Minneapolis 13, Minn., electronic controller to provide split-revolu- tion speed control in capacities of 25 hp., and larger, for 1,800 to 600 r.p.m. Several types are available.
C A ST A C ID C O O L E R
U s i n c experience gained in producing
units for acid concentrators at explosives plants during the war, National Radiator Co., Johnstown, Pa., has developed a new acid cooling element known as the U-Cast Hairpin which is recommended also for the cooling of many other liquids, including strong alkalis. These elements are designed for submersion in the solution with the coolant, usually water, passing through the element itself. Sections of the unit are
less intercommunication control now being offered by Simplex Time Recorder Co,, 43 individual fiber becoming a collecting elec
trode, when electrostatically charged.
E L E C T R IC H E A T E R
F o r l i q u i d heating applications where electricity is the heat source, the Brown Fin- tube Co., Elyria, Ohio, has introduced a new heat exchanger employing electrical resistors.
These resistors are incased in a length of standard Brownweld fintubc. The current density of typical resistors now in use is 4 kw.
sibility of burning sensitive materials. Heat exchange tubes of this type can be employed in double-tube, bayonet, vertical immersion, and other types of heat exchangers.
A IR C O N D IT IO N E R
To p r o v i d e for high capacity air condi
tioning requirements in industries manufac
turing glass, matches, photographic film and other products requiring controlled humid
ity, Surface Combustion Corp., Toledo 1, Ohio, has developed a "package-type” heavy- duty Kathabar unit available in capacities from 10,000 to 70,000 c.f.m. Smaller units of a new sectional cascade cooler constructed of Karbate impervious graphite and manufac
tures 338 deg. F. may be handled. In N. Y. Suitable for the handling of corrosive liquids and gases, the cooler features high heat transfer rates, resistance to thermal shock and freedom from corrosion scale than electronic filters having metal plate
K a r b a te c a s c a d e co o ler
CHEMICAL & M ETALLURG ICAL E N G IN EE R IN G • F E B R U A R Y 1 9 4 6 • 167
Lincoln St., Gardner, Mass. The device is designed to bring time, cost, employee, pro
duction, materials, inventory and similar information together at a central point and to integrate and coordinate other related plant-management activities. Up to 4,000 messages may be transmitted per day directly to or from employees through one operator seated at a six-unit central control board con
nected with any number of substation dis
patchers. Speed is attained through visible signal dialing. Communications are dialed just as a dial telephone is used. Symbols identify each production, operation, material or other information and a combination of symbols delivers any desired directive or re
port. The symbols are flashed upon, and are visible simultaneously at, both central con
trol board and any designated substation dispatcher.
R U B B E R IN S U L A T E D T R O L L E Y R u b b e r insulation is used in the Trac- Troly manufactured by Benbow Mfg. Co., 20tli floor, Hobart Building, San Francisco 4, Calif. The method, said to be suitable for practically all types of electrically op
erated mobile equipment requiring trolley power feed, employs a copper conductor encased in a slotted rubber rack supported by rigid backing, together with individual traveling collectors of “tractor-trcad” con
struction to enforce six-tooth contact at all recently announced by Macbeth Corp., 227 West 17th St., New York 11, N. Y. pumped, including heavy viscous materials or light volatile materials, with a minimum of vapor lock, the pumps are equipped with an automatic compensating wear con
trol which is said to maintain volumetric efficiency. A self-adjusting seal inclosed in
R u b b e r - in s u la te d p o w e r tr o lle y
steel armor is provided to hold against both pressure and vacuum. The smallest type, called the Victor, requires no lubrication while the larger Commander and Challenger designs are equipped with automatic lubrica
tion. Maximum capacity for the smallest
tration, portraying an improved external bearing pump, separate pedestals with their three-point alignment problem and facing washers are eliminated in the new design, which employs bracket-type, antifriction, thrust and line bearings. Precision pre- loaded bearings permit closer running cleai- ance between the body bores and the screws.
The new construction can be provided on all existing pumps without disturbing present line connections or the location of the motor.
P O R T A B L E C O N V E Y O R
I n c l i n e d , declined or horizontal con veying can be accomplished with the new Standard Handibelt portable belt conveyor now being offered by Standard Conveyor Worksaver electric lift truck recently in
troduced by Yale & Towne Mfg. Co., 4530
circulated independently of the distributing system, thereby gaining close control over temperature and efficiency of heat transfer, regardless of any intermittent use that may be made of the liquid. Examples of such
in-I m p r o v e d q u a d r u p lic a te s c re w p u m p
I m p r o v e d p o s itiv e r o ta r y p u m p
168 • F E B R U A R Y 1 9 4 6 • CHEM ICA L & M ETALLURG ICAL E N G IN EER IN G
P re s s u re -s e a lin g g a s k e t produce a corresponding sealing pressure on the flange faces is the unusual accomplish
ment of a new gasket developed by Goetze with standard serrations and welded together along their outer periphery to form a spring
like ring.
P u ls in g m o to r c o n tro l d riv e
device provides single knob precision con
trol for any type of reversible motor, both corresponding motor motion in small in
crements, while reversing the knob produces the reverse effect. This permits accurate spotting. More rapid rotation of the con
trol knob produces faster motor motion.
By depressing the knob and turning it slightly to left or right, continuous for
ward or reverse motion can be accomplished.
E Q U IP M E N T B R IE F S
E x t r e m e l y rapid automatic operation in measuring the concentration of elements in alloys is available in a direct-reading spectrometer developed by J. L. Saunder- son and coworkers at the Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich. Used in the com
pany’s magnesium alloying plant, it secures alloy analyses in 40 seconds through the substitution of an electronic measuring method for determining the intensity of spectrum lines, rather than the usual photo
graphic method. Up to 14 elements can be determined simultaneously. Girl op
erators can be trained to use the instrument efficiently in a single day.
F o r a variety of steam-cleaning opera
tions, the D. C. Cooper Co., 20 East 18th St., Chicago 16, 111., has developed a new automatic-generating type steam cleaner which is portable, raises steam in ten min
tcrmittent use occur in air-conditioning and other processes where the circulated liquid may be used for process cooling. It is claimed to be possible to reduce water to a temperature of 33 deg. F. constantly with
out danger of damage from freezing. A special solution can be supplied for lower temperatures. Various capacities are avail
able, ranging from 4.7 to 137 tons of re
frigeration, with water delivers' ranges from 11 to 220 g.p.m.
i m p r o v e d v a c u u m g a g e
C o n t i n u o u s reading of pressures in the micron range is possible with an improved Knudsen gage recently announced by Dis
tillation Products, Inc., Rochester 13, N . Y.
The new gage is said to overcome all mech
anical disadvantages which have previously prevented plant use of this tvpe of gage in high vacuum installations. Ruggedness rs obtained by any arrangement of damping
cidental admission of atmospheric pressure.
I n d u s t r i a l w a t e r c o o le r
P O R T A B L E L U B R IC A T O R
N e c e s s i t y for hand greasing operations is eliminated by a portable greasing unit, available either with a battery-powered or a gasoline-driven motor, that has been an how deep, being particularly handy for locat
ing old cable or pipe for which installation developed primarily for handling rolls in the paper industry, the device can be used for any handling operation requiring move
CHEMICAL & M ETALLURG ICAL EN G IN EER IN G • F E B R U A R Y 1 9 4 6 • 169
ment of cylindrical loads in either vertical
sure, 'thus minimizing explosion hazard, but in addition the units include a special device with perforated brass flame barrier plates to permit the safe escape of flam
mable gases from the tank without flash
back.
W . H. W h e e l e r , Inc., 234 East 46th St., New York 17, N. Y., has announced that the same general principles employed in household air fresheners may be used industrially, by means of the Airkem chlo
rophyll air freshener developed for odor control purposes. This material is applied to the air stream of an air conditioning sys
tem by means of an evaporator unit sup
plied by the manufacturer. It is claimed to be possible to neutralize objectionable odors, to create fresh air qualities indoors and to reduce fresh air requirements and conditioning system load.
As a means of eliminating static electricity in moving webs and machinery, United States Radium Corp., 535 Pearl St., New York 7, N. Y., has introduced an extremely thin metallic foil incorporating a radioactive substance and welded to a non-radioactive metal backing which, when placed in the region of an electrostatic charge, dissipates it through ionization of the surrounding materials on tensile test machines, the South
wark Division of Baldwin-Southwark Loco
motive Works, Philadelphia 42, Pa., has dial indicating deflection of the specimen under test.
T U B IN G F IT T IN G
No e n d p r e p a r a t i o n or soldering is necessary in use of the Flexigrip tubing fittings announced by Gustin-Bacon Mfg.
Co., Kansas City, Mo. Available in standard
stand unusual vibration or impulse.
O X Y G E N G E N E R A T IN G M A S K P e r f e c t e d in the early days of the war and immediately adopted for Navy use, the Chemox oxygen breathing apparatus of Mine Safety Appliances Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., is now available for civilian use. Em
ploying a replaceable chemical canister, the apparatus gives the wearer a protection of cylinders, high pressure valves or fittings.
M ID G E T R E G U L A T O R
F o r s m a l l high-pressure lines of 4 and 4 in. pipe size, the Grove Regulator Co., 6527 65th St., Oakland 8, Calif., has de
veloped a pressure regulator weighing only 2 lb. which is available regularly for initial control of electrically heated furnaces, a new electric type controller developed by the Bristol Co., Waterbury 91, Conn., com
T h e G IR D LER C O R P O R A T IO N
G as Processes D ivision, D ept. C M -2, L o u isv ille 1, Ky.
N e w Y o rk Office . . . 150 B ro a d w a y, N e w Y o r k 7, N . Y . '