The Chemical Age, Vol. 53, No. 1371

T h e Chemical Arc, October (>th, 1945. W IT H M E T A L L U R G I C A L S E C T I O N

1 /1 / I T H the 6th pip at 6 p jn . (he I reliable T im e Signal o f the R .B .C

.says 6 o’clock exaetlv. I E L I A B IL IT Y is of no less im portance in the perform ance o f industrial plant. Robey &

C o. L td . m ake a g re at point o f th e re lia b ility o f th e ir m anufactures.

O IL & S T E A M E N G IN

" B O IL E R S 'M IN IN G P L A N T

.-H O A D & Q U A R R Y P L A N T i'A I R C O M P R E S S O R S / C a s t i n g s o f a l l s i z e s

tiy M eehanlte process

L O ^ O N o m c p 37 4 ¡5 ?£NCH>JF.a< STRF.fX £,

j o u r n a l D e f i r t s d : jfcci lE t f r is t r iid . «»id

v o l. i n i

N o. 1 3 7 1 SA T U R D A Y , O C T O B E R 6, 19 4 5

R E G IS T E R E D « 8 4 N E W S P A P E R

M A C H IN E R Y

m e a s u r e d,

G U A R D S

D E S I G N E D ,

C O N S T R U C T E D & E R E C T E D

F . W . P O T T E R & S O A R l t d.

" Eve ry th in g for Safety Eve ry w h ere "

G A S M A S K S

- A L L T Y P E S

Sstf-Conta!ned Breathing

Apparatu*

*' P r o t o , ’*

“ S a lv u c ,”

•• F i r e o x , " e t c

Stsort-Distanca Breathing Apparatus

“ A n t i b o y s , ” a n d o t h e r ty p e *

O X Y G E N and O X Y G E N + C O ,

Resuscitation Apparatus

•* N o v o x ,”

“ N o v lt a ,”

and o th er types DUSTiM ASKS and GOGGLES o f all p a tte rn s ASBESTOS FIREPROOF C LO TH IN G , AC1DPROOF

GARM ENTS, e tc .

SIEBE, BORMAN 4 CO. LTD., LONDON

Telegram* : Telephone :

Siebe, Lamb, London______________ W aterloo 6071

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

P H IP P STREET, L O N D O N , E.C.2

Telephone : BIShopsgote 2177.

Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

th ro u g h o u t and a re m anufactured in large q u an tities. They can h e supplied p ain ted , gal- vanised o r tin n ed . Also m anufactured In stainless ste e l. Capaci­

ties ranging from 20 to 150 gallons.

DRUMS

T hese druYns a re w eld ed

O c t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 T HE C H E MI C A L A G E ⁱ

K I 'S T M iK S U L P H U R B U R N E R S

fo r

H ig h S u l p h u r d io x id e c o n c e n t r a t i o n w ith f r e e d o m f r o m s u b lim e d s u l p h u r .

r , \ VJtttW Pa**«* Ge„"er c ° ^ ' ete

V /ri« f° r,eaíl

Non-pressure type

N o m e ta l o r m o v in g p a r t s in c o n t a c t w ith b u r n in g s u l p h u r o r gas.

C o n t i n u o u s o p e r a ­ t io n s o lid o r liq u id fe e d .

General Utility type

B u r n e r s o f a n y c a p a ­ c ity s u p p lie d . C o m p l e t e in s ta lla ­ tio n s f o r h a n d lin g s u l p h u r d io x id e .

K E S T N E R ’ S

Chemical Engineers - 5, G R O S V E N O R G A R D E N S , L O N D O N , S . W . I

FLUOR S P A R

HIGH GRADE

0 97-98% °

Ca F2 C O N T E N T

o o

is now available

f r n m ----

G L E B E M I N E S L I M I T E D

E Y A M • D E R B Y S H IR E

Telephone : Eyam 241

A

THE C H E M I C A L A G E O c t o b e r 6, 1 9 4 5

F i n e C h e m i c a l s F o r E v e r y P u r p o s e

The Research Chemist

T h e in te re s t a ro u s e d in th e p u b lic m in d by th e a ch iev e m e n ts o f th e R ese arch C h e m ist is b a se d p rim arily o n th e p ra c tic al v alu e o f his d isco v eries, b u t th e lay m in d h as little u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e difficul­

ties a n d th e p ro b le m s e n c o u n te r e d b e fo re la b o ra to ry sy n th esis c a n be tra n s la te d in to fa c to ry p ro d u c tio n . A fte r th e d ra m a tic d isco v e ry com es th e g en erally fa r m o re difficult ta sk o f m e e tin g th e d e m a n d o c ca sio n e d by it, a n d su ch p ro b le m s h av e b een a c c e n tu a te d d u rin g th e la st few y e a rs by th e w o rry o f w a rtim e scarcities. P a tie n c e, re s o u rc e a n d u n re m ittin g e ffo rt a r e ju s t as n ecessary in re se a rc h a n d d e v elo p ­ m e n t w o rk as th e o c c a sio n a l flash o f in sp ira tio n , a n d th e se q u alitie s h a v e h e lp e d th e ch em ist to d eal successfully w ith th e m an y tro u b le ­ s o m e s itu a tio n s w h ich th e w a r has b ro u g h t.

T h e re sea rc h w o rk e rs o f M a y &

B ak e r h av e h a d th e ir s h a r e o f w a r­

tim e d ifficulties to o v erco m e.

W ith o u t th e ir e ffo rts m a n y o f o u r c u sto m e rs w o u ld h a v e b een less satisfied w ith th e serv ice w e h av e b een a b le to give th e m . P e rh a p s th e p ro b le m s w'hich face y o u fall w ith in th e sco p e o f th e ir e x p erien ce?

I f so , w e s h o u ld b e p leased to a tte m p t t o so lv e th e m . T e le p h o n e : Ilfo rd 3060. E x te n s io n s 71 o r 72.

M aj &ilaIterLtd

D AG EN H AM

LO N D O N ENGLAND

AI & B industrial Chemicals Stries (N a . 3*},

B A K E L A Q U E

Syn th etic Resin L am in ated Boards, Tubes, Rods, and

M o u ld in g s

B A K E L A Q U E

Resins, V arn ish e s and M o u ld in g Pow ders

M IC A and M IC A N IT E

in all form s

Vulcanised Fibre and Leatheroid

V arnish e d C lo th , Tape and T u b in g

Presspahn, Fullerboard Ebonite and all In su la tin g M a te ria l for

Electrical Engineers

ATTW ATER Ł SONS LT?

P R E S T O N ESTABLISHED 1868

Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 T HE C H E MI C A L A G E iii

T. D A V I E S L I M I T E D , Steel D rum and Keg M anufacturers W i d n e s I r o n W o r k s , W I D N E S .

G ra m s : “ D A V E E ” ’ P hone : W id n e s 2 4 6 3

THE C H E M I C A L A G E ^Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

YORKSHIRE TAR DISTILLERS U

CLECKHEATON .YORKS.

TEL. CLECKHEATON 7 9 0 ( 5 L I N E S )

T E L E G R A M S T O- YO TA R C LECKH EATO N

B A R B I T O N E

B A R B I T O N E S O L U B L E A L L O B A R B I T O N E

C Y C L O B A R B 1 T O N E

F IN E S T QUALITY.

A C T U A L L Y M A N U F A C T U R E D A T B A R N E T

= = = = = by .

P IE R S O N , M O R R E L L & CO., LTD.

(T H E O R IG IN A L BRITISH A S PIR IN M AK ERS)

Q U E E N ’S RO AD - B A R N ET - HERTS

P h o n e : B a r n e t 0 7 2 3 G ra m s : P ie rs o n M o rre ll. B a r n e t

THE CHEMICAL AGE

Oc t o b e r 6, 1945

W h a te v e r ty p e o f m e ta l c a p y o u n e e d , y o u r m o st e c o n o m ic a l s o u r c e o f s u p p ly w ill b e to m a k e th e m y o u rs e lf o n a M O O N m a c h in e . Y ou c a n h a v e th e m at th e r a te o f 10 0 p e r m in u te o n th e m a c h in e w e illu s tra te , o r w e h a v e a w id e r a n g e of o th e r m a c h in e s w h ic h m a y su it y o u r p u r p o s e b e tte r . If y o u u s e m e ta l c a p s , s e n d fo r o u r c a ta lo g u e a n d s e e w h at w e c a n d o , o u r a d v ic e , to o , is y o u r s for th e a sk in g .

This sm ooth-running m achine is d e­

signed to curl, b ead , screw , knurl, or suitably com bine these o p era­

tions at the rate of 100 p e r minute.

Adjustment points are simple and accessible. It req uires the mini­

mum of attention.

M O O N B R O T H E R S LTD ., B E A U F O R T R O A D , B I R K E N H E A D

Manufacturers of Tin Box and Drum Making Machinery

dm 1278

v i T HE C H E M I C A L A G E ^Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

A . J . RILEY & SON, L ^td .

BATLEY, Y O R K S

R IC H A R D S IM O N & S O N S , LTD.

P H ΠN IX W O R K S , B A S F O R D ,

N O T T IN G H A M

EST A BLISH ED 1888

M U L T 1 T U B U L A R D R I E R S

R O L L E R F I L M D R I E R S

= F L A K E R S A N D C O O L E R S

W e h a v e test p la n ts on a co m m ercia l sc a le a lw a ys availab le Telegrams: " BOILERS, B A T L E Y . " Telephone: 657 BATLEr (3 lines)

M a k e rs o f

M ILD STEEL R IV ETED A N D W E L D E D VESSELS JA C K E T E D P A N S C O M P L E T E

W IT H A G IT A T O R S SH E E T LE A D O R H O M O G E N E O U S

L IN E D VESSELS T A R , B E N Z O L E & O IL STILLS C O N D E N S E R S , E V A P O R A T O R S

A N D D IST IL L IN G PL A N T S M ILD STEEL PIPES

A LL PR ESSU R ES L A N C A S H IR E , C O R N IS H E C O N O M IC & W .T . B O iLERS

W e o ff e r a c c u m u la te d e x p e r i e n c e o f 50 y e a r s ’ s p e c ia liz a tio n .

O U R W O R K S , t h e la r g e s t in t h e U n ite d K in g d o m d e v o te d e s p e c i­

ally t o D R Y IN G M A C H IN E R Y , a r e laid o u t a n d e q u ip p e d w ith t h e l a t e s t p la n t f o r t h i s p a r tic u la r p u r p o s e .

M A N Y S T A N D A R D SIZES in c lu d ­ in g L A B O R A T O R Y M O D E L S.

Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 THE C H E M I C A L A G E

Monsanto

S O U R C E S o r I D E A S E O S T O E I N t E K T I V E M I N D

T ” H E B ritish c h e m ic a l in d u s try '*■ is o n e o f o u r b ig p o s t- w a r a ss e ts. T h r o u g h o u t th e w a r it h a s b e e n w o rk in g a t to p p r e s s u re . N o t m e re ly “ t u r n i n g o u t th e s tu fT ” — b u t d e v isin g , t o o , h o w

“ th e s t u f f ” c a n be p u t t o a f u lle r use.

F e rtility o f im a g in a tio n a n d p r o ­ d u c tiv ity h a v e b e en s tim u la te d by th e u rg e n c y o f o u r w a r n e ed s.

N e w a p p lic a ti o n s f o r e s ta b lis h e d M o n s a n to p r o d u c ts — w ith c o n ­ v e n tio n a l u ses, a n d a v a ila b le by th e to n — h a v e b e en d e v e lo p e d .

A n d n o w a f t e r th e w a r ? T h e in ­ v e n tiv e n e s s , th e in g e n u ity s h o w n b y B ritish c h e m is ts a n d te c h n ic ia n s u n d e r th e s tr a in o f w a r w ill be c o n tin u e d , e v e n e x p a n d e d , fo r th e e q u a lly v ita l a im s o f peace.

M o n s a n to m a k e a t R u a b o n a w id e r a n g e o f b a s ic c o a l t a r c h e m ic a ls , w h ic h a lre a d y fe e d a s c o r e o f in - d u s trie s .T h e irt e c h n ic a l e x p e rie n c e is w id e . It is a v a ila b le f o r c o n ­ fid e n tia l c o - o p e r a tio n o n a n y p ro b le m w h ic h m a y e n a b l e M o n ­ s a n to p r o d u c ts to se rv e m o re fu lly in d u s tr y a n d m a n k in d .

H e re is a list o f som e M O N S A N T O p ro d u c ts ,

P H E N O L Ice, d e ta c h e d , h y d ra te s, m ix tu re s

C R E S O L S o rth o - , m eta-, para-

C R E S Y L IC A C ID S high o rth o - , high m eta-, pale, d a rk , A .D .F ., e tc.

S A L IC Y L A T E S Salicylic Acid, B.P. and te c h n ic a l...

Sodium « M eth y lS a licy late s...A sp irin

P H T H A L IC A N H Y D R ID E Phth alic e ste rs

B E N Z O A T E S B enzoic A cid — Sodium B en zo ate

G E R M IC ID E S P.C .M .X . — C re sa n to ls

P R E S E R V A T IV E S P.C .M rC . — S a n to b rite , P e n ta c h lo rp h e n o l

R U B B E R C H E M IC A L S S a n to c u re , P.B .N ., e tc . (Fuller list on request)

Present conditions may, in some cases, prevent us offering balk quantities, but advice, d a w . samples, etc., m ay enable you to plan now

MONSANTO GHEMICALS LIMITED, Victoria Station House, London, S.W.1

v i i i T HE C H E M I C A L A G E Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

NEW ZEALAND IMPORTING COMPANIES S E E K A G E N C I E S

T h e T o d d G r o u p o f C o m p a n ie s , e s ta b lis h e d o v e r 50 y e a r s — c o m b in e d p a id -u p c a p ita l

£825,000— in v ite s c o r r e s p o n d e n c e f r o m le a d in g m a n u f a c tu r e r s a n d e x p o r t e r s (o f all c la sses o f g o o d s t h a t o ff e r s c o p e f o r s u b s ta n tia l t u r n o v e r ) d e s ir o u s o f e x p o r t i n g — o r in c re a s in g t h e i r e x p o r t s — t o N e w Z e a la n d .

T h e G r o u p is e x p e r i e n c e d in t h e i m p o r t i n g a n d m e rc h a n d is in g o f d iv e rs ifie d lin e s in c lu d in g e n g in e e r in g a n d te c h n ic a l e q u i p m e n t a n d s u p p lie s . W e a r e a lso v e ry i n t e r e s t e d in b a sic m a te r ia ls a n d c h e m ic a ls . S p e c ia lists a r e e m p lo y e d In t h e v a rio u s s p h e r e s . R e p r e s e n ta tiv e s t h r o u g h o u t N e w Z e a la n d . P a y m e n ts c ash . R e fe r e n c e s : T h e N a tio n a l B an k o f N e w Z e a la n d , L td ., 8, M o o rg a te , L o n d o n , E .C .3 .

W e in v ite confidential correspondence g iv in g full p a rticu la rs o f yo ur lines a n d b a n k references.

TODD GROUP

T O D D G R O U P LO N D O N MANAGER, CHAIRM AN, T O D D G R O U P .

TERMINUS CHAMBERS, T O D D BUILDING,

6, H OLB O R N VIADUCT, W E LLIN G T O N , N E W ZEALAND.

L O N D O N , E .C .I. Cables : “ T odd B ros., W e llin g to n ."

R eplie s in the first instan ce to Todd G ro up London M a n a g e f, a d d re ss above

What is an

Invisible Asset?

W herever S o lv en ts a re used in a n y q u a n tity , th e w a sta g e caused by e v a p o ra tio n is re a lly a n in v isib le a s s e t. F o r tu n a te ly i t is a n a s s e t t h a t can re a d ily be tr a n s la te d in to te rm s o f p ounds, sh illin g s an d pence, w ith th e a id of a S o lv en t re c o v e ry p la n t. If y o u would lik e to know if so lv e n t reco v ery w ould be a w o rth w hile p ro p o si­

tio n in y o u r case, o u r a d v iso ry d e p a rtm e n t is a lw a y s w illin g to su p p ly th e n e c e ssa ry in fo rm a tio n .

S U T C L I F F E S P E A K M A N

A N D C O M P A N Y L T D . , L E I G H , L A N C S London Office: 82 Kino W illiam Street, E.C.4

Telephone: Mansion House 1285-6

O c t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 THE C H E M I C A L A G E ^IX

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T HE C H E M I C A L A G E Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

B A R IU M C A R B O N A T E B A R IU M H Y D R A T E B A R IU M M O N O X I D E B A R IU M N A P H T H E N A T E B A R IU M O L E A T E B A R IU M P E R O X ID E B A R IU M S T E A R A T E B A R IU M S U L P H A T E B A R IU M S U L P H ID E

S O D IU M H Y P O C H L O R IT E S O D I U M S U L P H ID E S O D I U M P E R C A R B O N A T E

T I T A N I U M O X ID E

S O A P S

A L K A L IN E C L E A N E R S H Y D R O G E N P E R O X ID E A M M O N I U M P E R S U L P H A T E B E N Z O Y L P E R O X ID E C A L C IU M P E R O X ID E M A G N E S IU M P E R O X ID E P O T A S S IU M P E R S U L P H A T E U R E A P E R O X ID E

Z I N C P E R O X ID E

S O D I U M A C ID P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M A C ID P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M P E R P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M P Y R O P H O S P H A T E

L APORTE

C H E M IC A L S FO R IN D U S T R Y

methyl isobutyl ketone

METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE,

although a comparative newcomer, is finding an increasing number of applications in industry. It is a powerful solvent of nitro-cellulose and of most gums and resins used in lacquer formulation. The resulting solutions have high solid con­

tent and low viscosity, giving excellent flow. It is also a latent solvent for cellulose acetate, and a particularly good solvent for vinyl polymers.

METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE

may be

classed as a medium boiling solvent, particularly stable in storage and non­

hydrolysing. The

TP

product is charac­

terised by a high degree of chemical purity and by precise uniformity be­

tween one delivery and another.

We shall be glad to supply further details and specifications on request—

and to collaborate with prospective users in evolving new applications.

T E C H N IC A L PRO D U CTS L T D

S T . H E L E N ’S C O U R T , G R E A T ST . H E L E N ’S, L O N D O N , E.CL3

T E L E P H O N E : A V EN U E 4321

5AICS SEKWCE «. D E V LLO fM IN T DEPT. INVITE ENQUIRIES

U nlike m ost o th er form s of packages, tin s rarely break, tea r, leak, crack or split.

T he public like th e m because th e y are easy to carry, store, open an d dispose of, w h ilst giving th e ir contents lasting protection. D rum s, p a rticu larly of the full a p ertu re type, a n d K egs have sim ilar advantages for larger packs. T h a t is w hy m o re th a n 2 ,550 products in daily com m on use are packed in m e ta l containers.

No o th er form of packaging offers so m any im p o rtan t a d v an tag es. You are invited to subm it sam ples of y o u r product and details of your packaging problem e n tirely w ith o u t obligation to READS of LIVERPOOL, who have been m aking m o st kinds of plain T ins o r decorated D rum s and Kegs for m ore th an seventy-five years.

R 2 0 2 - C I

READS LIM ITED , 2 1 B R ID G EW A TER STREET, LIVERPOO L x. ROYAL 3 2 2 3. A n d a! LONDON, G LA SG O W , BELFAST, LEICESTER AND CORK

xii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E O c t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5

B erkefeld LARGE SUPPLY F ilters a re reliab le . . . e n d u rab le . . . sim ple to o p e ra te . In p a tte rn T th e Im p u rities, tra p p e d by th e cy lin d ers, can be cleaned aw ay In a few m in u te s — w ith o u t having to o p en o r ta k e th e filte rs a p a rt. J u s t im agine how th is can be of service to y ou w ith a l l _________________________

to -d a y ’s l a b o u r <®ss>

difficulties. A nd, A , t,,h A-

i u r t h e r m o r e , ' ' ' T j |tp r p & |

th e se filte rs g u ar- ! jiJfiiLsv

an te e a c o n sta n t su p p ly , w ith an ho u rly o u tp u t of 250 gallons to 550 gallons according to th e size of th e

filter. ""¡p | I

For full inform a- ., ^ |

tio n o n s i z e s ,

c a p a c i t i e s and ^ ___

p rices, w r ite to i—— ■

THE GUELPH CASK, VENEER

& PLYW OOD CO., LTD.

W e s t Ferry Road,

MILLWALL - LONDON, E. 14

T e l e p h o n e : E ast 1489 Also a t :

M a n c h e s te r, E n g lan d ; S c o ts to w n , Q u e b e c ; a n d M a tta w a , O n t a r i o , C a n a d a .

B E R K E F E L D F I L T E R S

BERKEFELD FILTERS LTD. (D e p t. 61), S ard in ia H ouse, Klngsway, L ondon.

A /IL V T flltY

B.B.” PHOSPHOR BRONZE TUBES

SHEETS AND S T R IP

C o p p e r T u b e s : " D o n a ” J V e l d i n g C o p p e r

O c t o b e r 6 , 1945 THE C H E M I C A L A G E

P O T A S S I U M PERMA NGAN A T E

★

B.P. and TECHNICAL

'Enquiries should be made to the

W holesale and Export Departm ent

B O O T S P U R E D R U G CO. L T D N O T T IN G H A M

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a b s o r p tio n o f d e m o b ilis e d officers in to in d u s tr y h a s a r is e n in a n in s is te n t fo rm . T h e R e p o r t o f th e C o m m itte e on T r a i n i n g f o r B u s in e s s A d m in is tr a tio n , o f w h ic h S ir F r a n k N e w s o ri-S m ith w a s th e c h a i r m a n , , h a s re c o m m e n d e d th a t th e r e s h o u ld b e a c o u rs e o f b a s ic t r a i n ­ in g in th e p r i n c i p l e s o t b u s in e s s life , w ith th e a im o f a s s is tin g a m a n to g e t a n d k e e p a jo b a n d a ls o to d e c id e o n a p a r ti c u l a r b r a n c h o f b u s in e s s in w h ic h to m a k e h is c a r e e r . I t se e m s to h e s u g g e s te d t h a t a th r e e - m o n th s ’ f u ll- tim e c o u rs e w o u ld h e .su ffic ie n t fo r th e p u rp o s e .

T h e d iffic u lty fa c e s m e n in p a r ti c u l a r a g e g r o u p s . T h o s e w h o w e re a lr e a d y f a ir ly w e ll e s ta b lis h e d in in d u s tr y b e fo re jo in in g th e S e rv ic e s w ill p r e s u m a b ly co m e b a c k to th e ir

o r ig in a l firm s . T h e y w ill h a v e f o r g o tte n m u ch o f th e A B C . o f b u s in e s s , b u t th e y w ill p r e s u m a b ly h a v e g a in e d in e x p e r ie n c e , v is io n , a n d c h a r a c te r . I t w o u ld o b v io u s ly be im p o s s ib le to p ro m o te th e s e m en im m e d ia te ly to h ig h p o s itio n s , b u t it sh o u ld b e p o s s ib le f o r ea c h in d iv id u a l firm to g iv e th e m th e o p p o r tu n ity o f r e g a i n ­ i n g t h e i r b u s in e s s k n o w le d g e w ith a v iew to p l a c i n g th e m in a s u ita b le p o s itio n

a f te r a n in te r im p e rio d h a d p ro v e d t h a t th e y w e re lik e ly to be s u c c e s s fu l th e re . M o s t firm s a r e u n d e r s ta f f e d , so t h a t th e r e s h o u ld n o t be m u c h d iffic u lty in re a b s o r b in g th o s e w h o e n te r e d th e S e rv ic e s .

F i r m s e n g a g e d in w a r .w o r k , p u b lic u t il i ti e s , a n d o th e r o r g a n is a tio n s w h o se s ta ffs w e re m a in ta in e d a t a f a ir ly a d e q u a te level" d u r i n g t h e w a r w ill find th a t a h ig h p r o p o r tio n o f t h e ir p e rs o n n e l w e re d ir e c te d to th e m on a te m p o r a r y b a s is a n d w ill r e tu r n to th e i r o r ig in a l firm s a s so o n a s p o ss ib le . H e r e , a g a in , th e r e w ill h e o p p o r tu n ity fo r r e a b s o r p ­ tio n . T h e r e w ill re m a in a h a r d c o re o f d iffic u lt c a s e s in w h ic h , fo r o n e re a s o n o r a n o th e r , m e n h a v e w o rk e d th r o u g h th e w a r , s o m e tim e s u n d e r v e ry a r d u o u s c o n d itio n s , a n d o fte n u n d e r c o n d itio n s of c o n s id e r a b le d a n ­ g e r , a s p e r m a n e n t m e m b e rs o f th e firm T h e r e w ill b e th e d iffic u lty o f b a la n c in g th e s c a le s e v e n ly b e ­ tw e e n th o s e w h o jo in e d th e S e rv ic e s a n d th o s e w h o re ­ m a in e d in in d u s tr y to c a r r y on th e s u p ­ p ly o f m u n itio n s a n d n e c e s s itie s . I n s e tt­

l i n g th is p ro b le m it m u s t be k e p t in m in d t h a t th o s e w h o s ta y e d a t h o m e h a v e f r e q u e n tly b o rn e m o re of th e b u r d e n a n d h e a t o f th e w a r th a n m a n y o f th o s e w h o

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r e m e m b e re d t h a t th o s e w h o s ta y e d at h o m e w e re d ir e c te d to d o so by th e G o v e r n m e n t a n d d id n o t in a n y w ay s h ir k t h e i r r e s p o n s ib ilitie s . W h ile e v e r y th in g p o s s ib le m u s t be d o n e for th e r e tu r n e d e x -S e rv ic e m e n , th e c la im s o f th o s e w h o w e re n o t in th e S e rv ic e s m u s t n o t be b y -p a s s e d . T h is a g a i n is a p r o b le m w h ic h e v e ry firm m u s t d e c id e f o r its e lf . I n d o in g so, h o w e v e r, th e f u n d a m e n ta l c r ite r io n m u s t o b v io u s ly be t h a t o f a b ility . I n d u s t r y m u s t be effici­

e n t, a n d th e d e c id in g p r i n c i p l e m u s t b e th e fitn e ss o f th e in d iv id u a l f o r a p a r ­ t ic u l a r p o s t r a th e r th a n th e p o s itio n w h ic h h e h a s o c c u p ie d d u r i n g th e la s t s ix y e a rs .

T h e re , r e m a in s th e d iffic u lt p r o b le m of th o s e w h o h a v e n e v e r b e en in in d u s tr y o r w h o w e re in in d u s tr y f o r o n ly a fe w m o n th s b e fo re th e y w e re c a lle d u p . T h e s e m en w ill b e in o r a p p r o a c h in g t h e i r m id d le tw e n tie s . T h e y m a y h a v e b e co m e officers a n d m a y , in d e e d , u n d e r c o n d itio n s o f m a s s w a r f a r e , h a v e a tt a in e d q u ite a c o n s id e r a b le r a n k in th e A rm y . I t is w id e ly s u p p o s e d t h a t th e y w ill o b je c t to r e tu r n i n g to ju n io r p o sts.

T h e r e a r e m a n y w h o feel t h a t th e a n x ie ty w h ic h is b e in g e x p re s s e d o n t h e ir b e h a lf is s o m e w h a t m is p la c e d . T h e fa c t t h a t a m a n h a s b e e n a c a p ta in in a h u g e c itiz e n a r m y is no't n e c e s s a r ily an in d ic a tio n t h a t h e w ill b e e q u a lly effec­

tiv e a s a c a p ta in iti in d u s tr y . I t is o n e t h in g to c o m m a n d s o ld ie r s ; it is a n o th e r t h in g to le a d c iv i l ia n w o rk e rs . I t is o n e t h in g to c a r r y o u t th e o r d e rs o f a s u p e r io r o fficer u n d e r c o n d itio n s o f w a r ; it is a n o th e r t h in g to e x e rc is e in itia tiv e a n d ’ e n te r p r is e in m o d e rn b u s in e s s life . T o th o s e n o t te c h n ic a lly tr a in e d it is e v id e n t t h a t e n tr y in to te c h n ic a l a n d s c ie n tific e m p lo y m e n t is a n d m u s t r e ­ m a in c lo s e d u n til th e y h a v e a c q u ir e d th e n e c e s s a r y k n o w le d g e a n d e x p e r ie n c e to fit th e m f o r th e p o s ts c o n c e rn e d .' T h a t k n o w le d g e c a n n o t b e a c q u ir e d in th r e e m o n th s . I f th e n a tio n d e s ire s to do s o m e th in g f o r th e s e m en it m u s t se n d th e m to c o lle g e f o r a t le a s t th r e e y e a rs , p a y in g th e ir s a la r ie s a n d e x p e n s e s m e a n w h ile on a r e a s o n a b le b a s is .

I t m a y b e c o n te n d e d t h a t th e o n ly c a r e e r f o r w h ic h th e s e m e n a r e p r i m a r i ly fitte d is t h a t o f a d m i n i s t r a ­ tio n . A s officers th e y s h o u ld h a v e h a d so m e e x p e r ie n c e in th e h a n d li n g o f m en

a n d a f f a i r s ; th e h ig h e r th e p o s t th e y h a v e o c c u p ie d th e g r e a t e r w ill h a v e b e en th is e x p e rie n c e . T h e r e is a c a ll in m a n y q u a r te r s f o r a d m in is tr a tio n to be m a d e a s e p a r a te c a r e e r . B e c a u s e a m a n is a g o o d e n g in e e r o r a g o o d c h e m is t h e d o e s n o t n e c e s s a r ily m a k e a g o o d m a n a g e r . T h e r e is s o m e th in g to be s a id f o r th e v ie w th a t m a n a g e m e n t, e n g in e e r in g , c h e m is tr y , a c c o u n ta n c y , a n d so f o r th , s h o u ld a l l b e r e g a r d e d as s e p a r a te p ro fe s s io n s , e a c h w ith p a r a l le l s a la r ie s ,, b u t e a c h h a v in g d e fin e d f u n c ­ tio n s . T h e r e is n o r e a l re a s o n w h y a m a n h a v in g a p a r ti c u l a r s a l a r y sh o u ld n o t e x e rc is e c o n tr o l o v e r a n o th e r m a n in a d iffe re n t p ro fe s s io n e a r n i n g a l a r g e r s a l a r y t h a n h im s e lf. f t is n o t s a la r v t h a t is th e c r i t e r i o n ; b u t a b ility to d o th e jo b .

W h e t h e r th e s e y o u n g fellow 's c a n be t a u g h t to b e co m e efficien t m a n a g e r s in th r e e m o n th s is o p e n to q u e s tio n . I t is m o re th a n p r o b a b le t h a t th e y w ill h a v e to o c c u p y s u b s id ia r y p o s itio n s fo r ¡1 p e r io d b e fo re th e y c a n b e g iv e n th e so rt o f p o s itio n w h ic h m a n y o f th e u n i n ­ s tr u c te d a p p e a r to b e c la im in g f o r th em . T h e view' o f in d u s tr y h a s b e e n w e ll e x ­ p r e s s e d by M r. G re s h a m C o o k e , s e c re ta r y o f T h e U n ite d S te e l C o m p a n ie s , L td ., w h o h a s p o in te d o u t t h a t “ th e c a p a c ity t o a b s o rb m e n o f th e ty p e r e q u ir e d a t a le v e l c o m m e n s u r a te w ith t h e ir w a r-tim e r e s p o n s ib ilitie s a n d e x p e r ie n c e is lim ite d in e v e n th e l a r g e s t u n d e r ta k in g , fo r th e y m u s t c o m p e te w ith a n e x is tin g s ta ff q u a lifie d b y te c h n ic a l e x p e r ie n c e a s w e ll a s p e r s o n a l a b ility , a n d n o e m p lo y e r w ill w ish to d is tu r b h is s ta ff r e la ti o n ­ s h ip s b y b lo c k in g a l l h o p e s o f p ro m o tio n f o r h is e x is tin g s ta ff by th e in tr o d u c tio n o f a la r g e n u m b e r o f n e w c o m e rs a t a h ig h l e v e l .” I t is e v id e n t t h a t a b a la n c e m u s t b e s tr u c k b e tw e e n th e c la im o f th e d e m o b ilis e d officer a n d th o s e \vho a r e a lr e a d y in i n d u s tr y a n d ' w h o h a v e b een th e r e a ll th e tim e . E a c h firm m a y be a b le to a b s o rb a s m a ll n u m ­ b e r o f d e m o b ilis e d o fficers, h u t n o w h o le s a le sta ffin g b y m e n o f th is c a te ­ g o r y c a n b e p o s s ib le u n le s s th e w-hole b a la n c e o f ’ in d u s tr y is to b e grav ely - d is tu r b e d .

W ard, B lenkinsop & Co., L td ., of L iv e r­

pool. have given 250,000 sulphanilam ide tab lets to B ritish U nited Aid to China for use in Chinese hospitals.

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H E B r itis h c h e m ic a l i n d u s tr y m u s t n e e d s h a v e a p r o f o u n d in te r e s t in th e o u tc o m e o f th e s e c o n d A n g lo - A m e ric a n o il c o n fe re n c e w h ic h w a s la te ly h e ld in L o n d o n . T h e d a y s a re lo n g p a s t w h e n th e p r o d u c tio n o f p e tr o ­ le u m d e r iv a tiv e s w a s a r e la ti v e ly s im p le p ro c e s s . T o - d a y , p e tr o le u m r e fin in g is a n im p o r t a n t b r a n c h o f c h e m ic a l e n g in ­ e e r in g w h ic h , by u t il i s i n g th e v a lu a b le re fin e ry b y -p ro d u c ts , o p e n s u p w id e v is ta s o f a p e tr o le u m - b a s e d o r g a n ic c h e m ic a l in d u s tr y . I t w ill b e re m e m ­ b e re d t h a t a s tr o n g d e le g a tio n , r e p re s e n ­ ta tiv e o f th e B r itis h p e tr o le u m in d u s tr y , w h ic h w e n t to th e U n ite d S ta te s la s t y e a r , f r a m e d , w ith i ts o p p o s ite n u m b e rs in t h a t c o u n tr y , a n A n g lo -A m e ric a n O il A g r e e m e n t w h ic h e n v is a g e s th e e s ta b ­ lis h m e n t o f a n I n t e r n a ti o n a l P e tr o le u m C o m m iss io n . H o w e v e r, th is a g r e e m e n t w a s b r o u g h t to n a u g h t in th e S e n a te as a r e s u lt o f th e o p p o s itio n o f p o w e rfu l A m e ric a n d o m e s tic o il in te r e s ts , a p p r e ­ h e n s iv e le s t a s u p e r - n a tio n a l a u th o r ity , w ith e x e c u tiv e p o w e rs , s h o u ld i n te r f e r e in th e in d u s t r y ’s o p e r a tio n s . I t is o n ly n a t u r a l t h a t in th is c o n n e c tio n th e b o g y o f a n i n te r n a t i o n a l p e tr o le u m c a r te l s h o u ld h a v e b e e n r a is e d . I t is o u r o p in io n t h a t th e o r ig in a l d o c u m e n t c o n ­ ta in e d n o su c h s in is te r sc h e m e s. O n th e c o n tr a r y , its a c c e p ta n c e w o u ld h a v e b e en a c o n tr ib u tio n to a n o r d e r ly d e v e lo p ­ m e n t o f p r o d u c tio n a n d d is tr ib u tio n o f p e tr o le u m , a n d w o u ld h a v e g o n e a lo n g w a y to r e m o v e th o s e r i v a l r i e s w h ic h h a v e ta in te d th e i n d u s tr y sin c e p e tr o le u m e n te r e d w o rld tr a d e on a l a r g e sc a le . T h e n e w a g r e e m e n t m a k e s it q u ite p la in . th a t th e C o m m is s io n to b e se t u p w ill

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P e r s ia , th e re c e n t a g ita tio n a b o u t A zer- b a id ja n , th e c o n tr o l o f th e D a r d a n e lle s , a n d th e p o s itio n o f T u r k e y , P a le s tin e a n d S y r ia . I t c a n b e s u rm is e d t h a t th e F o r e i g n S e c r e ta r y , in h is r e c e n t d is c u s ­ s io n s w ith th e B r itis h r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s in t h a t p a r t of th e w o r ld , h a s a ls o b ro a c h e d th is s u b je c t. I t is n o te tv o rth y t h a t th e A m e r ic a n m is s ip n n e g o tia te d n o t o n ly w ith th e M in is te r o f F u e l a n d P o w e r, b u t a ls o w ith th e C h a n c e llo r , w h o w ill so o n h a v e to c o m e to a d e c is io n o n th e re c o m ­ m e n d a tio n s o f th e A y re C o m m itte e (see Th e Ch e m i c a l Ag e, A p r il 2 1, 19 4 5, p. 343). I n v ie w o f th e c h a n g e s w r o u g h t by th e w a r in th is c o u n tr y ’s c a p ita l p o s itio n , a r e d u c tio n o f th e im p o r t of fin is h e d o il p r o d u c ts w o u ld a p p e a r in ­ d is p e n s a b le , w h ile a t th e s a m e tim e , a n o te w o r th y e x p a n s io n o f d o m e s tic re fin ­ i n g w o u ld n o t o n ly e a s e th e d o l la r p r o b le m , b u t w o u ld a ls o m a k e u se b o th c f v a lu a b le b y -p r o d u c ts a n d o f te c h n i­

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R eb u ild in g Italian In d u stry

A

S U R V E Y o f A llie d e ffo rts to b r in g p e a c e a n d o r d e r in th e w a k e o f th e arm iesi o f lib e r a tio n a n d to a ffo rd a f o r m e r e n e m y c o u n tr y a n o p p o r tu n ity to r e d e e m its e lf is c o n ta in e d in a r e p o r t is s u e d b y th e P u b lic R e la tio n s B r a n c h o f th e A llie d C o m m is s io n in I ta ly . T h is c o m p r e h e n s iv e r e v ie w of th e C o m ­ m is s io n ’s w o rk c o v e rs th e p e rio d fro m th e d a y in J u l y , 19 4 3, w h e n A llie d fo rc e s la n d e d in S ic ily , 'to th e fin a l s u r ­ r e n d e r o f th e N a z is in I t a l y o n M ay' 2, 19 4 5. S o m e p o in ts fro m th e r e p o r t of th e I n d u s t r y S u b -C o m m is s io n s h o u ld b e o f s p e c ia l in te r e s t. F o r in s ta n c e , of 8926 i n d u s t r ia l p r e m is e s lis te d in th e c e n s u s f o r n a tio n a l r e c o n s tr u c tio n , o n ly 2403 w e re o p e r a t in g c o m p le te ly , w h ile 26 15 w e re p a r tia lly ’ a c tiv e . B y A p ril th is y e a r , s c o re s o f f a c to r ie s , em p lo y ’in g 150 ,0 0 0 p e r s o n s , h a d b e e n r e p la c e d in use, in c l u d i n g f e r t i l is e r w o rk s , o il a n d s o a p w o rk s , f o o d -p ro c e s s in g p l a n t s , a n d c h e m ic a l p l a n t s . S te e l p r o d u c tio n o f th e N a p le s a n d T e r n i a r e a s w e n t m a in ly in to B a ile y b r id g e s , b u t th e c iv ilia n a llo c a tio n so o n ro s e to 3 0 p e r c e n t.

C e m e n t p r o d u c tio n w a s f o r a lo n g tim e s t r i c t l y c o n tr o lle d b y th e A r m i e s : b u t th e s u b -c o m m is s io n s ta r te d six p l a n t s a n d o b ta in e d a l a r g e s h a r e o f t h e ir p ro -

306 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E O c t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 d u c tio n fo r c iv ilia n c o n s tr u c tio n . S o m e

g la s s a n d c e r a m ic w o rk s w e re a ls o p u t in to c o m m is s io n , e s p e c ia lly s m a ll p la n ts u s in g m a n u a l o p e r a tio n s .

Italian C h em ical Production

C

H E M I C A L S a r e b a s ic to th e I t a l i a n e c o n o m y . T h e y a r e u s e d th r o u g h o u t in d u s tr y a n d a r e a b s o lu te ly n e c e s s a ry to a g r ic u lt u r e w h e re th e s o il h a d b e co m e so im p o v e r is h e d th r o u g h c e n tu r ie s of in te n s iv e c u lt i v a t i o n t h a t y ie ld s w e re n o w d ir e c tly p r o p o r tio n a l to th e f e r t i l is e r a p p lie d . S u p e r p h o s p h a te c a m e fro m tw o p l a n t s in S ic ily , p r o d u c in g to g e th e r a b are, 200a to n s a m o n th in A u g u s t, 1944- B y th e n e x t M a y , th e r e w e re te n p la n ts w o r k in g a n d to ta l p r o d u c tio n a v e r a g e d 20.000 to n s a m o n th u n d e r th e s u b ­ c o m m is s io n ’s e ffo rts. M o re t h a n 84,000 to n s o f p h o s p h a te ro c k w e re im p o rte d fro m N o r th A f r ic a u p to M a r c h d e s p ite p r ic e a n d s h ip p in g c ris e s . M a n y o f th e f u r n a c e s h a d b e e n b lo w n u p i n te r n a lly by th e G e rm a n s a n d th e s p e c ia l r e f r a c ­ to ry c e m e n t n e e d e d fo r r e p a i r w a s n e x t to im p o s s ib le to o b ta in . T h e o p e n ­ sid e d d r y s h e d s u s e d fo r s to r in g s u p e r ­ p h o s p h a te s m a d e id e a l g a r a g e s a n d m il i ta r y w a re h o u s e s , so t h a t th e d e ­ r e q u is itio n in g p ro c e s s w o u ld o fte n h a v e to b e in v o k e d . T h e G e r m a n s h a d fled w ith a l l th e p la t i n u m in t h e l a r g e n i tr o ­ g e n o u s f e r t i l is e r p l a n t a t C r o to n e , a n d a m a k e s h if t p ro c e s s fo r c o n v e r tin g th e s y n th e tic a m m o n ia in to n i tr i c a c id h a d to b e a d o p te d . ' T h is s p r i n g a ls o s a w a p r o d u c tio n o f n e a r ly 3000 to n s a m o n th o f c o p p e r s u lp h a te , b u t only" by d in t ol u s in g s a lv a g e d b r a s s f o r ra w m a te r ia l.

A n o th e r p l a n t w a s p r o d u c in g 600 to n s o f c a lc iu m c a r b id e m o n th ly a n d f o u r o th e rs w e re b e g in n in g th e p r o d u c tio n o f c a rb o n b is u lp h id e , e s s e n tia l to th e f u m ig a tio n o f g r a in , th e e x tr a c tio n o f o liv e o il a n d th e m a n u f a c tu r e o f s y n th e tic fibres.

R eopening the M ines

S

I C I L I A N s u l p h u r m in e s , w h ic h in 1943 p r o d u c e d o n ly 400 to n s a m o n th , th is y e a r b r o u g h t f o r th 5500 to n s a m o n th fro m 48 w o r k in g s . S e v e n l ig n ite m in e s in C e n tr a l Italy" p r o d u c e d 6 5,0 00 to n s in 19 4 4, d e s p ite a b s e n c e o f p o w e r a n d r a il fa c ilitie s . P y r ite s m in e s , to o , la c k e d p o w e r o r w e re fo u n d flo o d e d , b u t a ls o fo u n d w e re s to c k s o f m o re th a n 3 3 5 .0 0 0 to n s. M e r c u r y m in e s , a g a in in

C e n tr a l I t a l y , w e re d is c o v e re d c o m p a r a ­ tiv e ly u n d a m a g e d . A s to re o f m o re th a n 8000 b o ttle s o f m e r c u r y , m o st o f w h ic h h a d b e e n h id d e n fro m th e G e rm a n s , w as lo c a te d , th o u g h m o st o f th is sto c k w as m a r k e d fo r f o r e ig n m a r k e ts . A lto g e th e r, b y M a y , 19 4 5, m o re th a n 100 m in e s o f a ll s o rts w e re e ith e r p r o d u c in g o r m a in ­ t a i n i n g th e p r o p e r tie s w ith th e h e lp o f th e s u b -c o m m iss io n .

F acto ry L ib ra ry

A

N e x p e r ie n c e o f fa c to r y lib r a r ie s s o m e w h a t d iffe re n t fro m t h a t m e n ­ tio n e d b y M r. S im o n s (re c o rd e d in o u r iss u e o f S e p te m b e r 22) is t h a t r e la te d b y M r. W . R. H u tto n in th e S e p te m b e r is s u e o f B o o k s , th e n e w s-s h e e t o f th e N a tio n a l B o o k L e a g u e . M r. H u tto n d e s c rib e s 'th e l ib r a r y o r g a n is e d in th e tin s m i t h s ’ sh o p o f a w a r fa c to ry , w h ic h b e g a n in 19 4 1 w h ile th e b litz w a s s till in fu ll fo rce . T h e lib ra ry ' w as s ta r te d by f o u r m e n w h o a c t u a l l y w o rk e d in th e s h o p , a n d it h a d a n i n itia l Stock o f 50 v o lu m e s . A t first b o o k s w ere, k e p t a t th e o w n e r s ’ h o m e s a n d a l i s t w a s c ir c u la te d to m e m b e rs w h o p a id 2d. a w eek . M o n e y w e n t to b u y n e w b o o k s. M e m ­ b e r s h ip so o n tr e b le d a n d th e s to c k o f b o o k s ro se to 3 5 0, p a r t l y b y p u r c h a s e , p a r t l y b y g if t. D is c u s s io n a n d e x h ib i­

tio n s w e re a r r a n g e d . T h e “ lib r a r i a n s ” c a r r ie d o n t h e ir a c tiv itie s in th e lu n c h - h o u r , s a c rif ic in g s p a r e tim e a n d s u b s ti­

t u ti n g s a n d w ic h e s fo r a h o t d in n e r.

T h e f a m e o f th e lib r a r y s p r e a d to o th e r s h o p s in th e fa c to r y , a n d in tim e th e W e l f a r e A s so c ia tio n o f th e firm to o k o fficial n o tic e , a n d fo u n d a ro o m to h o u s e it. T h e v o lu n ta r y s ta ff s till fu n c tio n s , b u t th e W e l f a r e A s s o c ia tio n is n o w c o n ­ s id e r in g th e a p p o in tm e n t o f a f u ll- tim e l ib r a r i a n , a s th e r e a r e o v e r 100 0 m em -.

b e rs , a n d 2500 b o o k s. T h e m o s t p o p u ­ l a r b o o k is A le x C o m f o r t’s T h e P o w e r H o u s e , w h ic h h a s b e e n “ o u t ” 19 tim e s in five m o n th s . F ic tio n a n d n o n -fic tio n a r e b o th w e ll r e a d , b u t p o e tr y is n o t p o p u la r . N o m e n tio n is m a d e o f p i l f e r ­ in g . W it h n e w te c h n iq u e s in f a c to r ie s , w o r k in g p a c e is b e c o m in g s lo w e r as o u tp u t in c r e a s e s , a n d th e w o rk e r n e e d s s o m e th in g to o c c u p y h is m in d . O th e r in d u s tr ia l c o n c e rn s m ig h t c o n s id e r w o r k s l ib r a r i e s , a n d p e r h a p s e v e n th e p u b lic l ib r a r i e s m ig h t e n v is a g e o p e n in g f a c to r y b ra n c h e s .

Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 T H E C H E M IC A L A G E 30,7

Pumps in the War and After

Pulsom eter’s Contribution to Victory

F

OR alm ost th ree-q u arters of a century, th e P ulsom eter E ngineering Company of R eading, B erkshire, E n g lan d , has been a pioneer of pum ping activ ity . To-day, this company m akes alm ost 700 different types and sizes uf pum p, filtering and refrigera­

ting m achinery, and sirens. I t is not 'su r­

prising, therefore, th a t throughout the vicis­

situdes of tw o world w ars. Governm ent d ep artm en ts, m unicipalities and in dustrial concerns should have m ade use of the long experience and pum ping skill of the. com­

pany in the great fight for freedom against- ty ran n y . I n the varied activ ities of the fighting services all over the world, for th e -

for th e m anufacture of gyroscopic in s tru ­ m ents for th e A dm iralty— particu larly for torpedo and gun-laying. AH steam sirens and sircnettes used in the R oyal N avy are Pulsom eter products.

F or th e Army, thousands of 25-pounder, quick-firing H .É . shells and scores of Bofors gun bases were m ade. Among the m ost in ­ teresting pum ping sets were large turbine and split-casing Phoenix installatio n s for M ulberry H arb o u rs (F ig . 1 ), tu rb in e pum ps for m ine disposal 011 beaches, w ater supply pum ping sets arranged with miles of pipes for use in th e desert, to g eth er w ith m any special arrangem ents of portable pum ps for

F i g . 1. O n e o f th e t u r b i n e P h o e n ix P u m p s a c t u a l l y s u p p l i e d f o r M u l ­ b e r r y H a r b o u r . I t w a s n o t p o s s ib l e to p h o t o g r a p h th e a c t u a l i n s t a l l a ­

tio n .

relief of suffering in hospitals and the saving of life through blood transfusion, in the preservation of the c o u n try ’s food re­

serves and in Civil Defence, th e P .l î. Co.

was called upon to give all it had of its ex­

pert- knowledge, craftsm an sh ip , tim e, and energy in extended w orking hours, in nig h t and day sh ifts. I t was placed on the priority list of essential industries.

Pum ps for w ater supply, sewage disposal, heatin g duties, and mobile laundries were supplied to service establishm ents, R .O . fac­

tories, aerodrom es, h arb o u r installatio n s, Governm ent d ep artm en ts and in d u stry generally. H y d rau lic pum ps for h arb o u r commissions, railw ays, etc., included one or tw o stand-by dock in stallations.

The tale of P u lso m eter products supplied to th e fighting services cannot he told in detail. T he Use to w hich some were put is not know n by the m akers. T he following account, how ever, gives a general idea of .those m ade for known uses.

T h e R oyal and M erchant Navies were supplied w ith p aravane bodies for su b ­ m arine detection, w ith bilge and standard and self-prim ing sh ip s’ pum ps, w ith boiler- filling and lig h tin g sets and w ith circulating and refrig eratin g p lan t. V acuum pum ps were used for anti-subm arine equipm ent and

w ater and sewage services in the M iddle E a s t cam paign. Food and other storage purposes created a dem and for refrigerating and ice-making ¡Hants. W ater circulating pum ps were required for th e refrigerating equipm ent of photographic trains! V acuum pum ps served in preserving the bores of guns an d fo r p ackaging F o rces’ cig a re ttes.

In addition to norm al stan d ard require­

m ents. the Air Service needed some highly- specialised pum ps, including thousands of light-w eight fuel pum ps (Fig. 2), for a e ro ­ p lan es, designed an d m ade by th is firm e x ­ clusively, pum ps for the treatm en t of bear­

ings for the N apier Sabre engines used 011 Typhoons, for aero-engine testin g , an d p um p­

ing se t3 for photographic trailers. P u lso ­ m eter vacuum pum ps helped in the testing of aeronautical equipm ent, were used for de-aerating compasses, and for th e M eteoro­

logical Office. P ractically all radio valves are produced by th e use of P nlsom eter vacuum pum ps.

Im p o rta n t discoveries have followed every advance in th e m eans of producing high vacua, an d in th e m a n u fa ctu re of these m eans th e P .E . Co. w ere pio n eers and have since led th e w ay, th e ir vacuum pum ps being able to give vacua, as required, up

3o8 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Oc t o b e r 6 , 1 9 4 5 to .00001 m m. off perfect, m easured on a

M cLeod gauge.

The im portance of reliable vacuum pum ps is recognised by science and not least by its m edical branch, and P u lso m eter vacuum p um ps hav<T m ade indispensable con trib u ­ tions to th e practical application of d is ­ coveries. T h e s e G e r y k " vacuum pum ps are an in trin sic p a rt of the m echanism of blood transfusion, are used in the m anufac­

tu re of. penicillin and in th e m ost delicate * operations, such as th e rem oval of pus from th e b ra in . R e frig e ratio n p la n t h as been in m uch dem and for th e sto rag e of blood and vaccines.

T h e harnessing of a whole n a tio n ’s in ­ d u stries to one intensive purpose requires the use of th e m ost scientific m ethods of p ro ­ d uction, and of m uch specialised equipm ent.

P u m p efficiency, depends largely upon designing a pum p for th e work it h a s to do and th e P .E . Co.’s policy has alw aj’s been to m ake pum ps for p articu lar requirem ents.

W here pum ps are in dem and, it saves tim e and trouble to tu rn to specialist m anufac­

tu rers. All ty p es and sizes have been called for, and every pum p sen t out w as m ade on a prio rity perm it.

I n addition to the norm al circulating, sewage, and heatin g pum ps required by ex­

tended and new factories, special types were supplied for the production of explosives and m unitions, for furnaces an d coolers, and for fuel refinery processes. T h ere were rubber- lined pum ps for steel trea tm e n t p la n t;

¿landless t sum p pum ps for m olten lead;

gear pum ps fo r m olten su lp h u r: high-pres­

sure tu rb in e pum ps for coal d istillatio n and

th e daily milk supply ; refrigerating plant for storage purposes and vacuum pum ps for m ilking m achines.

Rum ps for the food and chem ical in d u s­

tries were often highly specialised, m ade of m etals adapted to the' liquid to be pum ped, or of stonew are for th e circulation of liquids which m ust not be contam inated. M ilk pum ps to m eet the exacting conditions of absolute p u rity , pum ps for breweries and p um ps for dehydration (Tigs. 3, 4), are fu rth er .exam ples of Pulsom eter specialisa­

tion. R efrigeration and cooling p lan t and vacuum pum ps for the m anufacture of powdered m ilk and for petroleum research have all been p a rt of th is com panv’s w ar effort. -

P ulsoineter filtration p lan t was supplied for m any types of factory, including one for processing photographic m aterials. T he design and erection of the largest pressure w ater-pnrification plan t in Scotland was a P ulsoineter w ar product.

R ussia has received high-pressure w ater­

w orks in stallatio n s, dew atering pum ps to salvage m ines flooded by th e G erm ans, etc. ; while T ree P ran ce w as provided w ith tr e a t­

m ent p lan t for drin k in g w ater . for the Cameroons, pum ps for palm-oil processing and a high-pressure w ater supply in stalla ­ tion for W est Africa.

I n Civil D efence, portable pum ps of all types and sizes were requisitioned for duty w here fire brigade pum ps could not be used or were insufficient.

T h e S w i t c h - o v e r to P e a c e

A l r e a d y , o r d e r s are being r e c e i v e d f o r r e -

&

F ig . 2 . L i g h t ­ w e i g h t t u e l p u m p s f o r a e r o ­ p l a n e s d e s ig n e d a n d m a d e e x c lu - s l v e l y b y t h e P u l s o m e t e r E n ­

g i n e e r in g C o .

by-product p la n ts ; pum ps for oil and sol­

v e n t circulation.

T he claim s of m ines were m et chiefly for dew atering services. F o r large q u a n titie s of w ater, tu rb in e pum ps were used, som e as fixed in stallatio n s and others on wheels to follow the slope of the m ine. F o r sm all q u a n titie s th e special P ulsom eter in-bvc self-prim in« types were ordered. Coal w ash­

ing dem anded slu rry pum ps.

A griculture called for pum ps for land d rainage or irrig a tio n ; m ilk coolers to cool

placem ents of pum ping in stallatio n s in Singapore as well as those destroyed in the B ritish Isles. Old custom ers continue to send orders for w ell-tried products, w h eth er these are for pum ps, refrig eratin g , m achinery, or filtration p la n t; and for the sake of B rita in ’s export, trad e i t is neces­

sa ry th a t the re-b o rn c o u n tries of E u ro p e and o th er p a rts of th e world should know w here reliable products m ay be: obtained.

P ulsom eter h eatin g p um ps cover all types required by heatin g engineers and contrac-